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Entrepreneurial Mindset – Women Founders’ Advice - Part 78

Writer: Women Story
Women Story
5 days ago
8 min read



In the Entrepreneurial Mindset Series, we feature the insights of 10 women founders who emphasize taking action before feeling completely ready. Their shared guidance highlights maintaining a growth mindset through continuous learning, surrounding yourself with mentors and supportive networks, and building trust-based relationships to cultivate long-term impact.


Featured Women Founders

  • Stephanie Henson  One of the most crucial lessons I've learned in business is the importance of resilience, hard work but most importantly… the power of belief.

  • Deanna Gilbert  My advice to any aspiring or early-stage woman founder is to never stop learning.

  • Melissa Woods  My advice to aspiring or early-stage women founders is to stop waiting until everything feels perfect.

  • Jaime Byram  You must keep a growth mindset.

  • Kristen Judd  My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is simple: don't build your business alone.

  • Shelby Hodges  If I could give one piece of advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs, it would be this: stop waiting until you feel ready.

  • Yu Lei Cheng  My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is to believe in your vision and have the courage to take the first step, even when the path is uncertain.

  • Caroline Arend  My advice to aspiring women founders is to believe in your vision and be willing to take the leap, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

  • Celena Luster  My advice is simple: don't wait until you feel completely ready.

  • Ruth Easterling  Every woman deserves to feel empowered to step into who she truly is.


Stephanie Henson – One of the most crucial lessons I've learned in business is the importance of resilience, hard work but most importantly… the power of belief.

Company– techtimeout

Advice

One of the most crucial lessons I've learned in business is the importance of resilience, hard work but most importantly… the power of belief. If you believe in your business or idea, you’ll have the motivation to give everything and that’s exactly what it takes to be successful. I am so passionate about digital wellbeing, so that passion has propelled me forward.


I’ve learnt that turning an idea into a successful business takes a lot of hard work - probably more hard work and long hours than I could ever have imagined when I started out. I’ve worked weekends, pitched techtimeout at countless conferences and business meetings, been that annoying person asking for favours, shamelessly pestered my business contacts - all to get techtimeout on the map! But if you do the work, push yourself out of your comfort zone, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve!


I’ve found myself on ITV, pitching to partner with some of the largest companies in the world, trialing workshops with youth clubs abroad and generally building a community of people and organisations who believe what I believe, that we need to promote healthy relationships with technology.


Flexibility and taking the advice of others is also crucial, especially in those early stages. When you’re really passionate about your vision, it’s so easy to jump in both feet first, but to create a successful business you need to listen, listen, listen, and really understand and respond to the environment you’re operating in and the needs of your potential clients.


We’ve not been afraid to tweak or evolve our products and offerings in response to client feedback and things we’ve learnt along the way. No other company is currently tackling this topic in the way that we are, and we’re partnering with some of the best in the field all because I dared to believe that we could.


Deanna Gilbert – My advice to any aspiring or early-stage woman founder is to never stop learning.

Company– Epic Journeys LLC

Advice

My advice to any aspiring or early-stage woman founder is to never stop learning. Invest in yourself continuously by seeking education, asking questions, finding mentors, and becoming a true expert in your field. The more knowledge you gain, the more confidence you will have to serve others well and make sound business decisions.



At the same time, remember that success is even more meaningful when you bring others along with you. Encourage, mentor, and celebrate the people around you. There is room for all of us to succeed, and strong leaders create opportunities for others rather than viewing them as competition.


There will be obstacles, setbacks, and moments when you question yourself. Don’t give up. Some of the greatest opportunities come just after the moments when it would have been easiest to quit. Stay focused on your purpose, keep moving forward, and trust the process.

Finally, believe in the gifts and abilities God has given you.


Each of us has been created with unique talents and opportunities to make a difference. Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s. Work with integrity, serve others wholeheartedly, and have the courage to step into the calling God has placed on your life.


Melissa Woods – My advice to aspiring or early-stage women founders is to stop waiting until everything feels perfect.

Company– Enchanted Woods Travel, LLC

Advice

My advice to aspiring or early-stage women founders is to stop waiting until everything feels perfect. Start with what you know, be willing to learn what you do not, and understand that confidence often comes after taking action, not before it.


Be clear about the problem you solve and the people you serve. Trying to be everything to everyone will drain your time, blur your message, and make growth harder. Focus allows you to build stronger expertise, better systems, and a more recognizable brand.


I would also encourage women to build a strong network and not be afraid to ask for support, introductions, or opportunities. Relationships have played a major role in my own growth. At the same time, learn to trust your judgment and set boundaries. Not every client, partnership, or opportunity is the right fit.


Finally, do not compare your beginning to someone else’s established business. Sustainable success takes consistency, resilience, and a willingness to adjust when something is not working. Lead with integrity, follow through on what you promise, and remember that you do not have to know everything to be a capable leader.


Jaime Byram – You must keep a growth mindset.

Company– James Russell Roofing & Restorations LLC

Advice

You must keep a growth mindset.  You should always be open to learning more information and having a flexible approach that can adapt to changing environments.


Kristen Judd – My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is simple: don't build your business alone.

Company– Money Secrets a Division of Five Rings Financial

Advice

My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is simple: don't build your business alone.

One of the greatest blessings in my own journey has been having mentors who believed in me long before I fully believed in myself. They challenged me, encouraged me, held me accountable, and continued to invest in my growth. Their guidance helped me navigate both the practical side of building a business and the mindset required to become an effective leader. Every entrepreneur needs someone who has walked the path before them and is willing to share both their wisdom and their honesty.


Equally important is finding a community that genuinely wants to see you succeed. Surround yourself with people who will celebrate your wins, tell you the truth when you need to hear it, encourage you through setbacks, and inspire you to become the best version of yourself. Entrepreneurship can feel lonely, but it doesn't have to be.


Finally, don't wait until you feel completely ready. Confidence is built through action, not before it. You will make mistakes, learn lessons, and discover strengths you never knew you had. Growth happens by showing up consistently, staying teachable, and choosing progress over perfection.

When women support, mentor, and champion one another, we don't just build successful businesses—we create opportunities for future generations of women to lead with courage, confidence, and purpose.


Shelby Hodges – If I could give one piece of advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs, it would be this: stop waiting until you feel ready.

Company– Shelby Hodges Group at Keller Williams St. Augustine

Advice

If I could give one piece of advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs, it would be this: stop waiting until you feel ready. Confidence doesn't come before action, it comes because of it. There will always be someone with more experience, more resources, or a louder voice. Don't let that stop you from starting.


Build your business on relationships, not shortcuts. People will forget your marketing, but they'll never forget how you made them feel. Lead with integrity, keep your promises, and genuinely care about the people you serve. A reputation built on trust will outlast any trend or algorithm.


Don't be afraid to ask for help, embrace new technology, or invest in your own growth. Some of the greatest opportunities in my career came from saying yes before I had everything figured out. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, celebrate others' success without comparison, and remember that there is room for all of us to succeed.


Most importantly, define success on your own terms. Build a business that supports the life you want to live, not one that looks impressive from the outside but leaves you unfulfilled. Your greatest competitive advantage will always be being authentically yourself.


Yu Lei Cheng – My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is to believe in your vision and have the courage to take the first step, even when the path is uncertain.

Company– Plenti Mortgage LLC

Advice

My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is to believe in your vision and have the courage to take the first step, even when the path is uncertain. Building a business requires resilience, continuous learning, and the willingness to adapt through challenges.


Do not be afraid to seek support, build a strong network, and surround yourself with people who believe in your mission. Your unique experiences and perspective are your strengths, not limitations.


Success is not only measured by business growth, but also by the positive impact you create for your clients, your team, and your community. Stay authentic, keep learning, and continue building with purpose.


Caroline Arend – My advice to aspiring women founders is to believe in your vision and be willing to take the leap, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

Company– The Pot Pie Bar

Advice

My advice to aspiring women founders is to believe in your vision and be willing to take the leap, even when the path ahead is uncertain. Building a business requires resilience, patience, and the confidence to make decisions before you have all the answers.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, seek out mentors, and surround yourself with people who believe in your mission. No founder succeeds alone, and building a strong support network is invaluable.

Most importantly, don’t run from feedback—embrace it. Feedback is your golden nugget to success because it shows you where you have opportunities to improve, grow, and take your business to the next level. Some of the most valuable lessons come from listening to your customers, your team, and those around you.


Celena Luster – My advice is simple: don't wait until you feel completely ready.

Founder – The Window Source of Morgantown

Advice

My advice is simple: don't wait until you feel completely ready. There will never be a perfect time to start, and you will never have all the answers. Growth happens by taking the next right step, learning from your mistakes, and continuing to move forward.


Lead with integrity, treat people well, and never lose sight of why you started. Build relationships before you build sales because trust is the foundation of every successful business. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, encourage you, and celebrate your success rather than compete with it.


As women, we often question whether we're qualified enough or capable enough. I've learned that confidence doesn't come before action—it comes because of action. Every challenge you overcome becomes another reason to believe in yourself.


Most importantly, remember that success isn't measured only by revenue or awards. It's measured by the lives you impact, the people you serve, and the legacy you leave behind. Stay true to your values, be willing to work hard, give yourself grace along the way, and never underestimate what God can do through a heart that is willing to serve others.


Ruth Easterling – Every woman deserves to feel empowered to step into who she truly is.

Company– Leadership Solutions

Advice

Every woman deserves to feel empowered to step into who she truly is. My advice: get clear on your unique you — and have the courage to walk into her.


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