According to Michele DeKinder-Smith of Jane Out of the Box, there are five types of women entrepreneurs. The type you are influences the way you run your business, and, as a by-product, how much money you make. DeKinder-Smith’s research has been done with nearly 3,000 women entrepreneurs according to a recent article in the Central Valley Business Times.
I’ve also seen the definition of success affect my own client’s ability to make money, among other reasons. In fact, many women I talk with either don’t have a vision of what a successful business looks like for them, or it’s a very fuzzy definition. (That’s why we often begin our business coaching series with work on defining what success looks like for a particular entrepreneurial woman.)
Why Don’t Women Entrepreneurs Define Success?
- They think success only means how much money they’ll make with their business. For some women, even these days, even women entrepreneurs, the topic of money is very uncomfortable. They may think they don’t understand finance. Or they’re not “good enough” to make lots of money. Or they think that making lots of money will keep them from achieving the “higher purpose” of their company.
- They’re so focused on the day-to-day operations of their business that they don’t have time to lift up their heads and dream.
- They’re afraid if they define success they’re stuck with the definition forever.
- They’re leaving “success” up to the Universe.
Why Women Entrepreneurs Should Define Success
Defining success allows a woman entrepreneur to develop strategies for her business. Definitions of success can also help them from catching that dreaded entrepreneurial disease–The Bright Shiny Object Syndrome. Success points the way.
Success definitions can make you more money just by having them. They’ll keep you focused and less willing to spend money or use time unwisely on things that don’t move you closer to your goal.
Try it and see! I’d love to hear your definition of success in the comment section below.
