Despite female entrepreneurship trending upward—especially in recent years—on a global scale, male entrepreneurs still outnumber their female counterparts three to one. Statistics like this one, paired with feelings of doubt and a sense of imposter syndrome any aspiring entrepreneur is sure to feel when starting out, can often leave young female entrepreneurs with one or more limiting beliefs that can hold them back from accomplishing everything they’re capable of.
However, according to the members of Young Entrepreneur Council, the following seven beliefs are unfounded and wrong, and below they share why a change in mindset can set you on a better path toward success and give you the boost of confidence you’ll need to thrive as an entrepreneur.
Young Entrepreneur Council members discuss beliefs some women may have that can hold them back in entrepreneurship.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. I Need To Come Across Like Male Entrepreneurs Do
One limiting belief is that women need to come across as brash and confident as the male entrepreneurs we see in the media, even if that doesn't feel authentic to us or work for us. When pitching investors, you do need to be confident. At the same time, confidence can and should come from a place of authenticity and passion for what you're doing. - Christina Drake, Willa's Oat Milks
2. My Business Must Be Perfect Before I'm A True Entrepreneur
A common limiting belief among female entrepreneurs is that they don’t deserve a seat at the table until their idea is 100% perfect, launched and revenue-generating—which isn't true! Ultimately, it’s all about confidence. If you don’t have complete confidence in yourself yet, but you know your business idea is sound, then just get started. That self-confidence will come with time. - Diana Goodwin, MarketBox
3. Having A Family Will Limit My Success In Business
There's a common notion that having a family as a woman is a barrier to pursuing executive roles and running successful business ventures. Practical experiences show that circumstances do not dictate how far you go in life. There are countless examples of women who have broken glass ceilings while managing a family and a successful business. If anything, they become more driven and relentless in their pursuit. - Tonika Bruce, Lead Nicely, Inc.
4. Being A Solopreneur Is Better Than Having A Partner
I think the one limiting belief a lot of young female entrepreneurs have is the unwillingness to partner with others even if the affiliation shows promise. Most female entrepreneurs want to be sole proprietors. But, partnerships are often essential for growth. So, it's better that you start entertaining prolific future partnership proposals. - Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
5. If I Fail, Then I Am A Failure
The fear of failing holds more people back than the actual pain of failing. Learn the lessons from the failure, move on and try again. Accept that it will happen. When it does, be prepared to analyze what worked and what didn't. From there, you can adjust, change and try again. These small adjustments will be what allows you to succeed. - Mary Harcourt, CosmoGlo
6. I Can't Charge What I'm Worth
A common limiting belief that I see in young female entrepreneurs is that they have to undercharge. They haven't yet learned to value their time properly and often get underpaid because they don't ask for enough from their clients. To properly value your time and services, it's important to research the market, discern what others are charging and price yourself accordingly. - Rachel Beider, PRESS Modern Massage
7. I Have To Work Twice As Hard Because I Am A Woman
The most limiting belief female entrepreneurs have that I’ve experienced is that they have an inherent sense of being “a woman” and always try to overcompensate for that. Going the extra mile to achieve something is not always harmful. But, doing this for being a female entrepreneur is something else. The cardinal reason behind this may be that this ecosystem is still governed by men. - Candice Georgiadis, Digital Day
