The Forum’s Post

This week I spoke about two of the biggest lessons I've learned as a founder, and in particular as a female founder, along with my personal tricks on how I've dealt with them: 1️⃣ Yes is a finite number of "no's" away: -Every founder needs to reframe their attitude towards "no." Rejection is a huge part of starting a company, and if you let it wear you down, you won't make it long term. -My trick: tell yourself you are only X number of "nos" away from a yes. If I told you right now you were only 5, or even 50, nos away from your dreams, how quickly would you run towards those nos? And how much would that change your attitude towards the no? Know that the yes is a finite number of nos away, and your whole headspace, and ultimately your probability of success, will dramatically change. 2️⃣ Reframe "I have to" to "I get to" -Female founders often don't get the same benefit of the doubt. You often have to prove more and have more to get to the same place. That can be discouraging. -My trick: reframe "I have to" to "I get to." I get to be better. I get to have more confidence in what I'm doing. I get to work with people that really know what they are getting into. #femalefounder #aapimonth #founderlessons #entrepreneur

100% of entrepreneurs will face this through their journey: UNCERTAINTY From navigating market shifts to how to structure your business, every step forward can feel like a dance with the unknown. When you can't predict the outcome of your every move as a founder, you start feeling a whirlwind of emotions. Fear. Doubt. Anxiety. But also Excitement and Hope. So, how do you navigate this emotional rollercoaster? 1. Be open to rethinking your target customer profile when necessary. 2. Stay informed about your industry and market trends at all times. 3. Build a support network that can provide guidance and perspective. 4. Practice resilience by nurturing your growth mindset. 5. Celebrate small wins; they are proof of your progress. Every successful entrepreneur you admire has faced their share of uncertainty (and still does). It's a rite of passage in the beginning. It’s a way of life once you’ve “made it”. Uncertainty is not going anywhere, so you might as well embrace it and get the right strategies and support structures to help you cope with it.

Are we building a business, or a tower of regret? It's ironic because most entrepreneurs go into business to escape the "rat race," only to end up trapped in their own hamster wheel: always "a month away" from a big breakthrough. The truth is, while we are good at seeing our next target, we overestimate their importance. Talking with a lot of founders, I realize that most of us fear regretting not spending enough time with our loved ones or simply enjoying life. I'm no exception. The business world is highly competitive and demanding, but we can’t wait until we get our big exit to start living. There's a time to grind and a time to shut down completely. It’s no secret that while being very entrepreneurially driven, my #1 target is winning dad of the year, every year. ... Easier said than done. One thing that really helped me is to understand that my entrepreneurial identity is just a part of my ideal self and that I should also be chasing a love and an energy identity that inspires me. From this clarity, we can set bright lines and build masterpiece days that will lead to masterpiece lives. Operationalizing identity = living proactively and without regrets. So what's your love, work, and energy identity? Mine aren't static, but go as follows: Work: World-class entrepreneur Love: Father of the year, every year Energy: Strength for two. The entrepreneur's journey is an important hero's journey that can lead to a meaningful life, or it can be a soul-crushing mousetrap. Perspective is the key. #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #PersonalGrowth

Can we talk about the joys and rewards of being a female entrepreneur? I wonder how many times you have been questioned about leaving your 9-5 job and starting your own business. I’m sure there are those who believed in your dream and still do, and those who just don’t get it. They can’t understand why you took the risk, why you wanted to spend so many hours building your empire. But don’t all good things have to start somewhere? Yes, I know it can be stressful in the beginning and you have to work long hours and sometimes for little pay. But even with that, you keep going and I know why. Starting your own business from scratch is so rewarding. Do you remember the first breakthrough you had for your business? It doesn’t have to be big. I want you to remember what it felt like. How proud you were of your achievements. Seeing your vision come to life and having the opportunity to pursue your passions is something to cherish. Having said that, I think one of the greatest joys of being an entrepreneur is the number of connections you make and the lives you positively impact. Knowing that a product you sold or a post you made on social media had an impact on your customer. Now that’s real joy! How about knowing that your audience and customers have followed you on this journey because they believe in your vision? Regardless of all the downs we face as business owners, it is important to remember all this. Remember where you started and how far you have come. So let us continue to pursue our passions and embrace the joys of entrepreneurship. I wonder if any of you reading this are at a point where you feel you are ready to achieve your freedom as an entrepreneur and you just don’t know where to start. I would like to introduce you to The Solo Startup ; a step-by-step success strategy for building your business empire. This programme will kick-start your success story. To see if the programme would be suitable for your needs, just 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 𝟯𝟶𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 with me. We'll see 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗤𝟮 with success and what you can do next to make that happen!

In a nutshell.

Can we talk about the joys and rewards of being a female entrepreneur? I wonder how many times you have been questioned about leaving your 9-5 job and starting your own business. I’m sure there are those who believed in your dream and still do, and those who just don’t get it. They can’t understand why you took the risk, why you wanted to spend so many hours building your empire. But don’t all good things have to start somewhere? Yes, I know it can be stressful in the beginning and you have to work long hours and sometimes for little pay. But even with that, you keep going and I know why. Starting your own business from scratch is so rewarding. Do you remember the first breakthrough you had for your business? It doesn’t have to be big. I want you to remember what it felt like. How proud you were of your achievements. Seeing your vision come to life and having the opportunity to pursue your passions is something to cherish. Having said that, I think one of the greatest joys of being an entrepreneur is the number of connections you make and the lives you positively impact. Knowing that a product you sold or a post you made on social media had an impact on your customer. Now that’s real joy! How about knowing that your audience and customers have followed you on this journey because they believe in your vision? Regardless of all the downs we face as business owners, it is important to remember all this. Remember where you started and how far you have come. So let us continue to pursue our passions and embrace the joys of entrepreneurship. I wonder if any of you reading this are at a point where you feel you are ready to achieve your freedom as an entrepreneur and you just don’t know where to start. I would like to introduce you to The Solo Startup ; a step-by-step success strategy for building your business empire. This programme will kick-start your success story. To see if the programme would be suitable for your needs, just 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 𝟯𝟶𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 with me. We'll see 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗤𝟮 with success and what you can do next to make that happen!

Don't Wait For Confidence, Earn It 🙌 We all feel fear. That primal instinct keeps us safe, but as entrepreneurs, it can also hold us back. Launching a business is a leap of faith, and staring down uncertainty can be paralyzing. Here's the truth I've learned 👉 confidence isn't a prerequisite, it's the reward. Here's why 👇 ➡ Fear is a natural part of growth. When we push boundaries and take risks (like starting a business!), fear shows up. It's a sign we're on the right track, venturing into uncharted territory. ➡ Action builds belief. We don't need to feel 100% confident before we take that first step. Taking action, even small steps, proves our capabilities and builds trust in ourselves. ➡ Overcoming fear is a muscle you train. Every time you face a fear and take action, you get stronger. You learn you can handle challenges, and that builds rock-solid confidence. So, how do we conquer fear? ➡ Focus on the "why." Reminding yourself of your passion and your business's positive impact fuels courage. ➡ Start small, and celebrate wins. Don't try to do it all at once. Break down goals into manageable steps and celebrate each accomplishment, no matter how small. ➡ Find your support system. Surround yourself with positive, encouraging people who believe in you and your vision. Every successful entrepreneur has faced fear. It's the journey of overcoming it that builds the unwavering confidence that propels us forward. #entrepreneur #confidence #fear #mindset #startup #nileshjadhav

Reflecting on my journey, my twenties often felt like an unending maze with no clear path forward. I vividly remember the day someone said, "You're doing too much," a comment that shook my confidence to its core. However, these experiences shaped my understanding and taught me invaluable lessons. Today, I'd like to discuss a pivotal concept – refusing to settle. It extends beyond daily routines; it's a stance against mediocrity. Setting ambitious goals, especially as a woman entrepreneur, meant trusting my instincts, daring to venture into uncharted territories, and embracing innovative business approaches I never thought possible. It's crucial to recognize that in the corporate world or as an entrepreneur, you don't have to accept the status quo. There's no need to complicate your path or burn yourself out in pursuit of success. It's entirely possible to build your dreams while enjoying the journey. So, here's my commitment to you and every aspiring corporate leader or woman entrepreneur – let's vow to never settle. Let's embark on a journey of growth, exploration, and boundary-pushing, all while savoring the richness of life. With resilience and courage, we can achieve remarkable feats. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. #NeverSettle #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #ProfessionalGrowth

Success is not final 🏁, failure is not fatal: it is the courage 💪 to continue that counts. Becoming an entrepreneur took more than just developing a vision 👀 or crafting a business plan 📝. It required courage. The courage to step into the unknown 🌌, to risk financial stability 💸 for the mere chance of success. Entrepreneurship isn't just about creating products or services 💼, it's about creating opportunities: for growth 🌱, for innovation 💡, for impact 🎯. At its core, it's about belief – in oneself 👤, in our team 🤝, and in our collective ability to influence change 🔄. So to every current and aspiring entrepreneur out there — remember this: success isn't guaranteed and failure isn't the end 🛑. It's the bravery to keep going that truly matters ⏩.