10 Hard Lessons I Learned as a Woman in Business (So You Don’t Have To)

Avoid these common pitfalls and build a smarter, stronger business.

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Starting and growing a business as a woman isn’t easy — especially when you weren’t taught how.

My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t planned. It began with deep personal loss and a passion for helping others. Along the way, I made mistakes, battled self-doubt, and learned tough lessons the hard way.

But if there’s one thing I want other women in business to know, it’s this: Success isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter.

Here are the 10 biggest mistakes I made (and that many women make) in business — and how you can avoid them.

How It All Started: Turning Pain Into Purpose

The Turning Point

Have you ever felt powerless to help someone you love?

That’s how I felt when I lost my mother to cancer. It was devastating, and it sent me on a relentless search for answers. I refused to believe that modern medicine was the only option.

That journey led me to holistic wellness and essential oils — and it changed everything. My health improved, my energy returned, and I felt compelled to share what I had learned.

From Passion to Accidental Business

I never set out to start a business. I was simply sharing something that had transformed my life. But when people began listening, applying my advice, and seeing real results, I realized this could be something bigger.

Before I knew it, I had built a business — almost by accident.

My first big win? Earning a Mediterranean trip without even trying. I was just passionately sharing and helping others.  But my biggest wins were the stories I heard from customers whose lives had changed because of my products.

No Business Background? No Problem… Or So I Thought

Growing up, I watched my parents run a business in the hospitality industry, but I never understood what went on behind the scenes. I assumed business was just about selling and serving customers.

I was wrong.

True entrepreneurship requires strategy, financial literacy, leadership, and systems — none of which I had when I started. I had to learn it all from scratch, often through trial and error.

The Hard Lessons: 10 Mistakes Women Make in Business

1. Letting Self-Doubt Get in the Way

Imposter syndrome is a dream killer. It sneaks in, making you question whether you’re good enough, smart enough, or experienced enough.

I wasted time comparing myself to others instead of focusing on what I had to offer. I hesitated to put myself out there, worried that I wasn’t good enough.

Lesson: Confidence isn’t something you wait for — it’s something you build. Believe in yourself first, and the world will follow.

2. Taking Criticism Too Personally

Early in my journey, someone told me, “You’re not made to be an entrepreneur.”

It stung. I almost let it derail me. But eventually, I realized something important: Criticism isn’t always personal — it’s an opportunity for growth.

Instead of seeing feedback as an attack, I learned to step back, assess it objectively, and use it to improve.

Lesson: Separate emotions from business. Not all feedback is valid, but the right feedback can be a game-changer.

3. Chasing Every Shiny Object

I fell into the trap of thinking more knowledge = more success. So, I kept enrolling in courses, trying new strategies, and jumping from idea to idea — never fully committing to one.

The problem? I wasn’t executing. I was collecting information but not taking action.

Lesson: Pick one proven strategy, commit to it, and stick with it long enough to see results.

4. Ignoring Advice from Experienced Entrepreneurs

I thought I knew best. I ignored advice because I wanted to figure things out my way.

This arrogance cost me time, money, and unnecessary mistakes.

When I finally started listening to mentors who had already been where I wanted to go, everything changed.

Lesson: Find mentors who have what you want and learn from them.

5. Struggling with Listening Skills

I thought I was a great listener — until I realized I wasn’t really hearing people.

Our brains have a way of distorting information, filling in gaps, and assuming meaning — even when we think we understand. I made decisions based on assumptions instead of clarity, which led to miscommunications, mistakes, and lost opportunities.

Lesson: Listening isn’t just about hearing — it’s about understanding. Slow down, clarify, and never assume.

6. Overextending Myself & Not Setting Boundaries

I used to think success meant saying yes to everything. I took on too much — running a business, taking care of my family, managing the household — all at once.

I burned out. Hard.

Lesson: Time and energy are limited resources. Set boundaries, delegate tasks, and learn to say "no" without guilt.

7. Not Automating & Systemizing Sooner

For too long, I was drowning in manual work — constantly responding to messages, creating content on the fly, and feeling like I could never keep up.

When I finally built a structured system for social selling, content creation, and communication, everything changed.

Lesson: A business without systems will always feel overwhelming. Automate, streamline, and free up your time.

8. Not Preparing for Financial Ups & Downs

At one point, I hit a financial low because I wasn’t prepared for slow seasons.

Lesson: Always plan for downturns. Manage cash flow wisely and never rely on one revenue stream.

9. Trying to Do Everything Alone

I prided myself on being independent. I thought asking for help was a sign of weakness.

Lesson: Success is never a solo journey. Build a strong team and delegate.

10. Relying Too Much on Others’ Brands Instead of Building My Own

For too long, I hid behind the brand of the products I was selling. I thought that was enough.

Lesson: Build your own brand. Your unique story and voice are your biggest assets.

Overcoming These Challenges & Creating Long-Term Success

Making these mistakes taught me valuable lessons, but success isn’t just about avoiding mistakes — it’s about how you bounce back from them.

I started building smarter habits, such as:

• Setting clear goals and tracking progress daily

• Pivoting quickly when things weren’t working

• Surrounding myself with the right people who pushed me to grow

These small but powerful changes helped me turn struggles into strengths and failures into stepping stones.

Final Thoughts: Advice for Women in Business

Every successful entrepreneur has made mistakes. The difference is they don’t let mistakes stop them - they learn and keep going.

If you take one thing away from my journey, let it be this:

👉 Success isn’t about luck — it’s about learning, adapting, and taking action.

Don’t wait until you feel ready. Start before you’re ready.

Your future self will thank you for it.

🔥 You don’t have to wait until you feel "ready." Success starts with one step — take it today! What’s one action you’ll commit to right now to move your business forward? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to cheer you on!