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Entrepreneurial Mindset – Women Founders’ Advice - Part 61

Writer: Women Story
Women Story
Sep 25
6 min read

In the Entrepreneurial Mindset Series, we feature the insights of 10 women founders who share advice on believing in yourself, building from purpose, and taking action without waiting for perfect conditions. Their advice highlights developing real expertise, staying authentic and consistent, learning through action, building supportive relationships, and having the courage and resilience to keep moving forward.


Featured Women Founders

  • Amanda Ferrari and Becky Guth  Believe in yourself.

  • Lisa Kavanagh  Advice to Other Women Entrepreneurs My advice to aspiring women founders is to build from purpose, not pressure.

  • Angela Crawford  My advice to aspiring and early-stage women founders is simple: back yourself before the evidence shows up.

  • Hema Patil  Build Depth Before You Build Visibility.

  • Mary Maatouk  My advice to women starting or growing a business is this: believe in yourself before you expect anyone else to.

  • Preeti Khare  Be authentic, have the spine to work hard in the beginning so you can reap benefits in about 2 odd years and stay relevant and consistent with your efforts to…

  • Manisha Bharati  My advice to aspiring women founders is to believe in your vision and start, even if resources are limited.

  • Deepthi Ramachandran  I encourage women to enter into entrepreneurship and take it seriously and do not use it as a stop gap arrangement between their different stages of their life.

  • Erika Gilmandinova  Courage

  • Melissa Horvat  Starting a business is an organic process and is not always perfect.


Amanda Ferrari and Becky Guth – Believe in yourself.

Company– We Are PR

Advice

Believe in yourself. You can do it, we guarantee it. You'll also come up against a lot of 'nos' and negativity. Don't listen or pay attention. Move on to the next opportunity


Lisa Kavanagh – Advice to Other Women Entrepreneurs My advice to aspiring women founders is to build from purpose, not pressure.

Company– Sphagnum De-lux

Advice

Advice to Other Women Entrepreneurs

My advice to aspiring women founders is to build from purpose, not pressure.

When you build a business rooted in personal experience or genuine passion, it becomes easier to stay consistent when things feel slow or challenging. Trends change, markets shift — but purpose keeps you steady.


Secondly, invest in knowledge and credibility. Before launching Sphagnum De-Lux, I invested in my education, completing advanced qualifications in aesthetics and anatomy. Confidence in business comes from competence. The more you understand your craft, the stronger your decisions will be.


I would also encourage women not to wait until they feel “ready.” Growth happens through action. You learn by launching, adjusting, refining, and sometimes failing. Perfection delays progress.

Another important lesson is to protect your mindset. Entrepreneurship can feel isolating, especially while balancing family life. Surround yourself with people who understand your vision, and limit comparison. Your timeline is your own.


Finally, remember that leadership does not require you to become someone else. You can be ambitious and nurturing. Strategic and empathetic. A mother and a CEO. Your identity is not a limitation, it is your strength.

Build boldly, stay authentic, and do not shrink your vision to make others comfortable.


Angela Crawford – My advice to aspiring and early-stage women founders is simple: back yourself before the evidence shows up.

Company – Oasis Buyer's Agent Pty Ltd

Advice

My advice to aspiring and early-stage women founders is simple: back yourself before the evidence shows up.

You don’t need to have every credential, connection, or confidence box ticked before you start. Clarity comes through action — not overthinking. Progress is built by doing the work, learning fast, and adjusting as you grow.


Secondly, build a business aligned to your values and your life — not someone else’s blueprint. Success is far more sustainable when your model supports your priorities, whether that’s family, flexibility, financial freedom, or impact.


Resilience is also non-negotiable. There will be seasons of self-doubt, financial pressure, and decision fatigue. In those moments, discipline matters more than motivation. Stay consistent, even when momentum feels slow.


Surround yourself with strong networks and referral partners who collaborate rather than compete. Business growth accelerates when you’re supported by people who respect your expertise and share your standards.


Finally, don’t dilute your voice to fit industry expectations. Your perspective — whether shaped by motherhood, career transition, or lived experience — is not a weakness. It’s your competitive advantage.

Build boldly, lead authentically, and remember: you’re allowed to take up space in any room you walk into.


Hema Patil – Build Depth Before You Build Visibility.

Company – Trillium Buyers Advocacy

Advice

Build Depth Before You Build Visibility.

Authority is not created by posting it is created by understanding your craft deeply. When your expertise is strong, confidence follows naturally.


Do Not Compete on Volume Compete on Value.

In crowded industries, it is tempting to match what everyone else is doing. Instead, define your own framework. Differentiation is built through clarity, not imitation.


Take Calculated Risks, Not Emotional Ones.

Leaving corporate was not impulsive it was planned. Courage should be supported by preparation.


Own the Room with Preparation, Not Volume.

You do not need to be the loudest voice. You need to be the most prepared voice.


Mary Maatouk – My advice to women starting or growing a business is this: believe in yourself before you expect anyone else to.

Founder – Maatouk Property Advocates

Advice

My advice to women starting or growing a business is this: believe in yourself before you expect anyone else to. Self-doubt will show up it always does but it cannot be louder than your purpose. If you feel called to do something, trust that instinct. It’s there for a reason.  Back yourself, even when the path feels uncertain and you’re figuring things out as you go. You do not need permission to lead, to take up space, or to build something meaningful. Courage isn’t the absence of fear it’s moving forward despite it.


Stay anchored in your values. Lead with honesty, empathy, and integrity. In life and in business, relationships and trust will always outlast transactions, and people remember how you made them feel long after the deal is done.


Financial independence is powerful. Building your own success gives you choice, confidence, and the freedom to live life on your own terms and that kind of empowerment flows into every part of your life and the lives of those around you. Surround yourself with people who support your growth, ask questions without hesitation, and don’t wait until you feel “ready” start before you feel prepared.


Most importantly, your voice matters. When women step forward with authenticity and courage, we don’t just build businesses we change standards, shift expectations, and make the path clearer for the women who follow.


Preeti Khare – Be authentic, have the spine to work hard in the beginning so you can reap benefits in about 2 odd years and stay relevant and consistent with your efforts to…

Company– ENABLEance

Advice

Be authentic, have the spine to work hard in the beginning so you can reap benefits in about 2 odd years and stay relevant and consistent with your efforts to master your craft and grow your business


Manisha Bharati – My advice to aspiring women founders is to believe in your vision and start, even if resources are limited.

Advice

My advice to aspiring women founders is to believe in your vision and start, even if resources are limited. Confidence, consistency, and continuous learning are the keys to growth. Do not be afraid of challenges or failures—they are part of the leadership journey.


Build trust, focus on delivering real value to your clients, and stay authentic to your purpose.

Success comes when passion meets persistence, so keep moving forward with courage and self-belief.


Deepthi Ramachandran – I encourage women to enter into entrepreneurship and take it seriously and do not use it as a stop gap arrangement between their different stages of their life.

Company– Sahyadri Bio Labs Pvt Ltd

Advice

I encourage women to  enter into entrepreneurship and take it seriously and do not use it as a stop gap arrangement between their different stages of their life. Becuase if they dont take it seriously, nobody else will.


Erika Gilmandinova – Courage

Company – Kefir Lab

Advice

Courage


Melissa Horvat – Starting a business is an organic process and is not always perfect.

Company– Graphika

Advice

Starting a business is an organic process and is not always perfect.

So many women wait until everything is perfect: the website, the logo, the offer, the confidence. The truth is, confidence comes from movement. Take the step, have the conversation, launch the offer. You will refine as you grow.


At the same time, build on strong foundations. Get clear on who you serve, the problem you solve, and the transformation you provide. A clear brand and a clear offer will save you years of confusion and content overwhelm.


Find community. Business can feel lonely, and being surrounded by other ambitious women changes everything. Learn from those ahead of you, collaborate with peers, and be generous with support.


And finally, understand that leadership starts with self-leadership. Build resilience. Develop your mindset. Protect your energy. The business will only ever grow to the level you are willing to grow personally.


You don’t need to be louder. You don’t need to be someone else. You simply need clarity, courage, and consistency.


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