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Starting a New Business – Women Founders’ Advice - Part 10

Writer: Women Story
Women Story
51 minutes ago
8 min read


In the Starting a New Business Series, we feature the insights of 10 women founders who share lessons on starting before everything is perfect, trusting your ideas, and developing confidence through action and experience. Their advice also highlights resilience, careful planning, strong foundations, supportive relationships, continuous learning, and building businesses with purpose, structure, and long-term sustainability.

Featured Women Founders

  • Michelle Cave  As an aspiring or existing young woman entrepreneur, the entrepreneurship journey is as much about the inner resilience and tenacity you harness as it is about the strategies and decisions you make for your business.

  • Dr.Preeti Bawa  My advice to women who are starting their business journey is to believe in your idea and just begin, even if things are not perfect.

  • Cindy Leonard  First thing, never let anyone tell you that you cannot do something.

  • Ami Hemani  For women aspiring to leadership positions, my advice would be to not be afraid of making mistakes.

  • Bethany Chambers  Starting a business begins with strong foundations: understand your funding options, choose the right business structure, and seek advice early from mentors, accountants, and industry networks.

  • Lisa Streett-Liebetrau  Know that for a few years in the beginning, you will be working harder than ever for no money, and having a supportive partner who believes in your vision is fundamental to your success.

  • Darreka Howell  My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is to not wait until you have every detail figured out before starting.

  • Kayla Daily  My advice would be to start before you feel ready.

  • Heidi & Illiana Smith  Our advice is simple: start.

  • Dr Rupinder Kaur Murjani  My advice to aspiring and early-stage women founders is to believe deeply in your vision and not let societal expectations limit your ambition.


Michelle Cave – As an aspiring or existing young woman entrepreneur, the entrepreneurship journey is as much about the inner resilience and tenacity you harness as it is about the strategies and decisions you make for your business.

Company– Brandfundi (Pty) Ltd.

Advice

As an aspiring or existing young woman entrepreneur, the entrepreneurship journey is as much about the inner resilience and tenacity you harness as it is about the strategies and decisions you make for your business. Your entrepreneurial path will undoubtedly mirror the essence of Brandfundi's journey: a testament to the unyielding spirit, adaptability, and strategic foresight required to navigate the often-turbulent waters of starting and sustaining a business.


At the core, entrepreneurship is about a deep commitment to your vision. It's about being ready to face challenges head-on, willing to make sacrifices, and staying true to your goals even when the path gets tough. The story of Brandfundi, though unique in its details, echoes a universal truth in the business world: success requires more than just passion and ideas; it demands hard work, dedication, and the courage to persist through adversity.


Adaptability and strategic thinking are your allies. Like the changing tides faced by any business, you'll encounter situations that require you to pivot, rethink, and strategize anew.

Remember, the relationships you build, both personal and professional, will shape your entrepreneurial journey. Clear communication, mutual respect, and understanding become crucial in navigating these dynamics. Whether it's dealing with family in a business context or building a network of supportive peers and mentors, these relationships can be your greatest assets.


In summary, your entrepreneurial journey is uniquely yours, but the qualities that will carry you through - resilience, hard work, strategic thinking, and strong relationships - are universal. Embrace these qualities, and you'll be well-equipped to steer your business towards success and fulfilment.


Dr.Preeti Bawa – My advice to women who are starting their business journey is to believe in your idea and just begin, even if things are not perfect.

Company– RxPrism Health Systems

Advice

My advice to women who are starting their business journey is to believe in your idea and just begin, even if things are not perfect. You don’t need to know everything at the start. You learn as you move forward. Keep improving your skills, stay consistent, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Surround yourself with people who support and guide you.


There will be doubts and challenges, but stay strong. Trust yourself and stay focused on your goal. Your way of thinking and your experiences are your strength.


Cindy Leonard – First thing, never let anyone tell you that you cannot do something.

Company– Cindy Leonard Consulting LLC

Advice

First thing, never let anyone tell you that you cannot do something. Never. Ever. Secondly, be smart and do your homework. Starting a business is hard and the more planning you do in advance, the better you'll be positioned for future success.


Ami Hemani – For women aspiring to leadership positions, my advice would be to not be afraid of making mistakes.

Company– Social Media Training Hub

Advice

For women aspiring to leadership positions, my advice would be to not be afraid of making mistakes. When starting a business and developing your social media presence, it's okay to stumble as you begin your journey. Take the first step and embrace the unknown, even if your idea is simple. Passion is key, and waiting for the "right time" is a mistake because there may never be a perfect moment. Instead, create opportunities for yourself by taking action and learning along the way.


Additionally, networking and discussing your ideas with others is important. You never know what connections you may make and what opportunities could arise from those conversations. Stay confident and keep pushing forward towards your goals.


Bethany Chambers – Starting a business begins with strong foundations: understand your funding options, choose the right business structure, and seek advice early from mentors, accountants, and industry networks.

Company– Merry Go Round Toys

Advice

Starting a business begins with strong foundations: understand your funding options, choose the right business structure, and seek advice early from mentors, accountants, and industry networks.


Do your research and don’t be discouraged by statistics—especially for women. In Queensland, only about 4% of $3.5 billion in venture capital funding has gone to 100% women-founded businesses, showing the barriers can be real. This number decreases immensely to less than 0.05% when assessing disabled or neurodivergent female founders.  People with disabilities in Australia are approximately 43% more likely to be entrepreneurs or self employed.


Many founders also juggle parenting, households, or health challenges, which can limit time and energy—but these do not limit capability.


My advice is to start before you feel ready, build a support ecosystem, and design systems that protect your wellbeing as much as your profit. Progress matters more than perfection. When your mission is clear and values-led, resilience follows. Business isn’t about having unlimited resources; it’s about using what you have creatively, consistently, and courageously.


Lisa Streett-Liebetrau – Know that for a few years in the beginning, you will be working harder than ever for no money, and having a supportive partner who believes in your vision is fundamental to your success.

Company– Camp Koala

Advice

Know that for a few years in the beginning,  you will be working harder than ever for no money, and having a supportive partner who believes in your vision is fundamental to your success.  I was working a full time job and raising two young children, my husband was a Rockstar.


Darreka Howell – My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is to not wait until you have every detail figured out before starting.

Company– Luxe Venue Space

Advice

My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is to not wait until you have every detail figured out before starting. Many of the skills required in business — communication, organization, pricing, and leadership — are developed through experience. I learned that progress comes from taking action, adjusting, and improving over time.


I would also encourage women to operate with structure from the beginning. Written policies, clear booking procedures, and organized communication prevent misunderstandings and protect both the business owner and the client. Professionalism builds trust and allows customers to take your business seriously.


Another important lesson is to build relationships, not just transactions. Through managing Luxe Venue Space, I have seen how collaboration creates opportunity. When women support other women-owned businesses, refer services, and share resources, everyone benefits. Networking and partnerships often create more growth than advertising alone.


It is also important to understand your value and price your services accordingly. Many new business owners undervalue their time, which leads to overworking without sustainable income. Setting boundaries and charging fairly allows a business to remain open long-term and prevents burnout.


Entrepreneurship requires patience, discipline, and consistency. There will be slow periods and unexpected challenges, but maintaining professionalism and staying committed will build a reputation that brings long-term success. A business grows when its owner grows, and confidence develops through experience.


Kayla Daily – My advice would be to start before you feel ready.

Company– The Cats Meow Entertainment

Advice

My advice would be to start before you feel ready. You will never know everything at the beginning, and that’s okay. Surround yourself with supportive people, ask questions, and keep learning. Confidence grows through action, not perfection.


And most importantly, give yourself grace. Starting a business means learning a lot of things you’ve never done before, and mistakes are part of the process. The important thing is to keep going and remember why you started.


Heidi & Illiana Smith – Our advice is simple: start.

Founder – A Thyme to Heal

Advice

Our advice is simple: start. Just start. Often we wait until everything feels perfect, until we have every credential or every step mapped out. In reality, most businesses began with a calling, a problem we care deeply about solving and the courage to take that first step. Trust your intuition, stay rooted in purpose and allow the journey to unfold one step at a time.


There will always be obstacles, but growth, clarity, and opportunity comes through the process of building. Most importantly, remember that your lived experiences , your voice and perspective are powerful. The world needs women who are willing to lead with courage, compassion and kindness.


Dr Rupinder Kaur Murjani – My advice to aspiring and early-stage women founders is to believe deeply in your vision and not let societal expectations limit your ambition.

Founder – Life Watchers

Advice

My advice to aspiring and early-stage women founders is to believe deeply in your vision and not let societal expectations limit your ambition. Women often face additional challenges—balancing family responsibilities, overcoming self-doubt, or navigating spaces that have traditionally been male-dominated. But these challenges can become your greatest strengths.


Start with a clear purpose. Build something that solves a real problem and creates value for society. Do not be afraid of starting small—every impactful venture begins with a single step.

Also, surround yourself with the right mentors and collaborators. Learning from others’ experiences can save you time and help you grow faster.


Most importantly, be resilient. Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with uncertainties, failures, and learning curves. Instead of fearing failure, treat it as a stepping stone toward success.

And remember—when a woman builds a business, she doesn’t just build a company; she often creates opportunities, inspires communities, and drives meaningful change.


So dream boldly, work fearlessly, and never underestimate the power of your own potential. ✨


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