What Do Women Entrepreneurs Need This Week to Be Successful?
Your life is full, and it will take all of your wisdom, experience, and strength to handle becoming a small business owner. Women entrepreneurs over 40 often carry the pressure of running a business while balancing family, finances, and personal responsibilities. The truth is, many women business owners focus on others’ needs and forget to pause and ask themselves an important question:
What do I need this week to be successful?
Asking yourself this simple question can change how you lead your business, manage your energy, and protect your peace.
Signs You Need a Weekly Self-Check-In
Constant exhaustion
Difficulty focusing
Feeling emotionally overwhelmed
Lack of business clarity
Trouble setting priorities
If any of these sounds familiar, it is time to do your self-check-in.
Why Self-Check-Ins Matter for Women Entrepreneurs
Many women small business owners carry more than just a workload. They also carry emotional labor, decision fatigue, and the constant pressure to keep everything together.
A weekly self-check-in is a simple habit where women entrepreneurs pause to evaluate their emotional, mental, physical, and business needs before planning their week.
According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2024/2025 Women’s Entrepreneurship Report, many women entrepreneurs cite lack of profitability, personal pressures, and financial challenges as major reasons for closing businesses.
A weekly self-check-in helps you move from reacting to leading with intention.
It shifts your mindset from thinking:
“How do I survive this week?” to
“How do I set myself up to succeed this week?”
This shift makes a real difference.
Success Starts Before the To-Do List
Many entrepreneurs begin their week focused on tasks instead of what truly matters.
Before you open your planner, answer emails, or post online, pause and check in with yourself.
Ask Yourself These Questions
What is draining my energy right now?
Maybe it is overcommitting. Maybe it is lack of sleep. Maybe it is trying to do everything alone.
You can only fix what you are willing to face.
What support do I need this week?
Asking for support is wise, not a sign of weakness.
You may need:
More rest
Better boundaries
Help with marketing
Quiet time to think
Encouragement from trusted people
Time away from social media
Be truthful with yourself.
What is the one thing that would make this week feel successful?
Not perfect. Not busy. Successful.
Sometimes success is landing a new client. Sometimes success is finally finishing one project. Sometimes success is simply protecting your mental health while staying consistent.
Why Women Entrepreneurs Should Stop Measuring Success by Exhaustion
Many women have learned to believe that being tired means they are working hard enough.
This belief can harm both your business and your well-being.
Being exhausted is not a business strategy.
Burnout does not make you more valuable.
The strongest business owners are not those who do everything alone. They are the ones who manage their energy, set priorities, and stay focused.
Allow Yourself to Adjust
Your needs may change every week.
One week you may need discipline. The next week you may need rest. Another week you may need clarity, courage, or confidence.
Self-awareness helps you respond to your current situation instead of forcing yourself to work the same way every week.
Being flexible is a strength.
Create a Weekly Success Reset Routine
You can use this simple process every Sunday evening or Monday morning.
Step 1: Pause for 10 Minutes
Sit quietly without distractions.
No emails. No scrolling. No multitasking.
Step 2: Write Down Your Honest Answers
Ask yourself:
What do I need this week to feel focused?
What do I need emotionally?
What do I need physically?
What do I need financially?
What do I need spiritually?
Step 3: Choose Three Priorities
Not ten. Three.
Having clear priorities helps you feel less overwhelmed and make better decisions.
Step 4: Protect What Matters
Set aside time on your calendar for the things that help you succeed.
If rest matters, schedule it. If marketing matters, schedule it. If prayer, exercise, or family time are important to you, make sure to protect that time.
Women entrepreneurs over 40 have a unique kind of power
Building a business at this stage of life is powerful in its own way.
You know who you are. You value purpose over performance. You understand that PEACE IS PART OF SUCCESS.
You no longer have to prove your worth through constant hustle.
You can lead your business with wisdom, intention, and purpose.
Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is pause and ask yourself:
What do I need this week to be successful?
Your answer might be the breakthrough you have been looking for. Before your week gets busy, pause and ask yourself: “What do I need to be successful this week?” Write down your answer, choose three priorities that support it, and build your week around what truly matters instead of what simply keeps you busy. Be Blessed.
The Reflection We Cast: Reconciling Perception and Reality
How others see us and how we see ourselves are often very different. For women entrepreneurs over forty, our experience is shaped by our internal struggles, quiet sacrifices, and the daily work of building a business. This difference in perspective shapes both how we move forward and how we are perceived.
Others often see something different. They notice our strength, resilience, and achievements. We might feel like we are still figuring things out. Still, clients and peers see someone who builds a business with strong values and purpose.
I realized this difference during a recent talk with a trusted advisor. She has played a big role in my career. I thanked her for her support, especially her advice on helping other military veterans grow their businesses.
Her response surprised me and changed how I think. She told me she prefers to be called a “guide” instead of a “mentor.” To her, “mentor” sounds too formal and suggests a hierarchy she does not want.
The Weight of a Title
To see why this matters, think about the different roles people have in our lives.
Mentor Versus Guide
A mentor usually shares lessons from their own experience and helps you move up. A guide walks with you, helping you find your own path and answers.
Both roles are important for long-term business success. According to SCORE (an SBA partner) and The UPS Store, 70 percent of mentored businesses last more than five years. That is twice the rate of businesses without mentoring.
This data shows why I am so grateful for her support. As a retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, I know how hard it is for veterans to move from military life to starting a business. We are trained to complete missions, but business requires a whole new set of skills.
Navigating Business Growth
That is why having a reliable guide helps veterans move from military service to success in civilian life.
The Veteran Transition
Guides help veterans and driven women use their leadership skills to build rewarding and successful businesses. They do not solve our problems for us, but they help us see what is ahead.
Recognizing the value of these individuals makes us reflect on ourselves. Ask yourself how your community, clients, and family see your role. You may see yourself as just a business owner managing tasks. To someone else, you are the guide they need for a breakthrough.
Who Are You to Others?
Acknowledging how others see us allows growth. This requires embracing our role as perceived guides or leaders, even when we doubt ourselves.
Choosing to Make The Shift
This year is about building a strong mindset and making the shift. We must close the gap between our doubts and the strength others see in us.
When we accept that others see us as leaders, mentors, and guides, we step into our true purpose. Whether you prefer to be called a mentor or a guide, your impact is important. Your experience lights the way for new business owners.
Now is a good time to thank those who helped us along the way. Think about the people who supported you in your business journey. Send a quick thank you to your mentors or guides for their support and wisdom. Be blessed.
Don’t Panic, Prepare: The Small Business Guide to Global Conflict
The news is loud right now. With global conflict and economic uncertainty dominating the headlines, it is entirely natural to feel concern. When you are pouring your heart into a business, any threat to market stability feels intensely personal. However, as legacy-focused women entrepreneurs, we possess great power in how we respond. We have agency and choices.
This year, my core focus is “Mindset,” and my daily mantra is “Make The Shift.” Today, I am inviting you to make the shift from panic to preparation. During my twenty years of military service, I learned a basic truth: a solid plan turns fear into focused, calm action. We are on a mission to build wildly profitable, soul-aligned online businesses through strategic synergy. That means we must ensure our success never comes at the cost of our peace, family, or self-worth.
Building small-business resilience is not simply about surviving a tough economy. It is about prospering in harmony without sacrificing your deepest dreams. Let us look at the facts. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA), roughly 40% of small businesses fail to reopen after a major crisis or disruption. Furthermore, industry data shows that companies with proactive continuity plans recover up to three times faster than those caught off guard. Preparation is the ultimate safeguard for your legacy.
Here are the actionable, tactical steps you can take right now to protect your business.
1. Localize and Secure Your Supply Chain
Global conflict often leads to shipping delays and skyrocketing fuel costs. If you rely on physical products, now is the time to audit your supply chain. Look for secondary suppliers who are closer to home. Even if local materials cost a fraction more, their reliability and delivery speed will keep your business moving when international borders slow down.
2. Fortify Your Monetary Buffer
Economic uncertainty causes consumer spending to fluctuate. Protect your hard work by building a dedicated stability fund. Review your monthly expenses and identify subscriptions or overhead costs that are not currently serving your growth. Transfer those funds into a savings account. Having cash on hand gives you the freedom to make strategic decisions rather than desperate ones.
3. Lean Into Your Sisterhood
You do not have to face these unpredictable times alone. Here, high-achieving women over 40 unite in a collaboration-first sisterhood. Talk to your peers, share resources, and discuss strategies. When we lift as we climb, we master scalable strategies and ditch burnout together.
The Bonus Step: Perform a Soul-Aligned Energy Audit
Standard business guides will tell you to check your inventory, but they rarely tell you to check your spirit. My unique advice for you today is to perform a strict energy and media audit. Constant exposure to terrifying news cycles drains the creativity and clarity required to run an empire. Limit your news intake to twenty minutes a day from strictly factual sources. Protect your mindset ruthlessly so that your “work-life harmony” means architecting a life where both your dreams and your loved ones flourish.
We envision a worldwide shift where women over 40 architect soul-aligned empires that generate wealth beyond money. By preparing today, you are making ‘having it all’ a strategic reality where legacy, family, and unshakable fulfillment exist together without compromise. This is your unstoppable era. Keep your vision clear, make the shift, and let your preparation be your peace. Be Blessed and I encourage you to be kind to yourself and others.
Today, as we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., my heart is full of a vision that stretches far beyond the horizon. We stand at a unique moment in 2026 where the call for “Mindset” and the mantra to “Make The Shift” have never been more urgent. While we acknowledge the challenges of our current times, I stand before you with enduring hope. I see a future where every woman recognizes that her individual purpose is the heartbeat of our collective progress.
Whether you are in Goldsboro, North Carolina, or leading from a boardroom across the globe, your race, gender, or economic background does not define the height of your ceiling. In the U.S. Marine Corps, I served 20 years and retired as a Gunnery Sergeant. The Corps taught me that discipline is the highest form of self-love, and I didn’t retire to play small. I learned that mission accomplishment requires everyone to walk in their truth. Today, I have traded combat boots for high heels to help you build a legacy without burning out.
You Are the Architect of Your Life
I believe with every fiber of my being that all women have the inherent ability to live their best lives. You are not a victim of your circumstances; you are a diamond forged under immense pressure. This is the essence of what I learn from Bishop R. C. Blakes, Jr when I studied Queenology.
We must remember this powerful truth: We hold the pen to write the stories of our lives. Your life is not a rough draft. It is an epic adventure waiting to be written with intention and bold action. Do not let the “busy-ness” of being an entrepreneur keep you from being truly profitable and soul-aligned.
A Call for Kindness and Implementation
As we move forward, let us carry a reminder for self-kindness. Be as gentle with yourself as you are fierce in your pursuits. Extend that same kindness to the sisters walking beside you, for our strength is multiplied when we lead ourselves wisely.
My mission is to help you stop simply thinking about your dreams and start implementing them. My words for this era are “Implementation” and “Take Action”. Whether you are navigating menopause, chronic pain, PTSD, divorce, an empty nest, the hurdles of a new business, or anything else, there is a structure that supports your healing while moving you toward your goals.
Ready to start your unstoppable era? Let’s get to work, your way.
Alright, my phenomenal entrepreneurs! Brenda The Soulutionist here, and today, we’re tackling a subtle but powerful invisible cage that can hold us back: being a “Prisoner to Your Preferences.”
You know what I’m talking about. It’s the “I’ve always done it this way” mindset. The “I only like X color/platform/strategy.” The subtle resistance to new ideas, different approaches, or unexpected opportunities simply because they don’t fit our preconceived notions or comfort zones. We develop preferences, and without realizing it, like bars on a cage, they can become barriers to our entrepreneurial growth, limiting our impact.
Success, especially in our dynamic world, thrives on adaptability. It demands an openness to new information, a willingness to pivot, and the courage to step outside of what’s “familiar” or “preferred” if it means unlocking a greater level of breakthrough. Being a prisoner to your preferences means missed opportunities, stagnant growth, and a ceiling on your potential. God does not want you to be a public success and a private failure. To ensure your success in all aspects (spiritually, mentally, emotionally, financially, and physically), you must first be honest with yourself.
Are you ready to break free and embrace the expansive possibilities that change offers? Let’s unlock that freedom!
3 Tips to Break Free and Be Open to Change:
1. Question Your “Why” (The Root of Your Preference):
Tip: When you find yourself resistant to a new idea, strategy, or even a different tool, pause and ask: “Why do I prefer the old way so strongly? Is it truly more effective, or is it just more comfortable/familiar?” Dig deeper than the surface-level answer. Is it fear of the unknown? A past negative experience? An outdated belief?
Why it works: Many preferences are based on comfort, fear, or limited past information, rather than current logic or optimal strategy. When you question the “why,” you begin to dismantle the emotional attachment and open up space for rational evaluation, allowing you to get real with yourself.
Tip: Instead of fully committing to or rejecting a new approach, commit to testing it. Choose one small, low-risk way to try something different that challenges a preference. For example, if you prefer only one social media platform, try posting valuable content on another for a week. If you prefer a certain workflow, try a different sequence for one project.
Why it works: This reduces the perceived risk of change. You’re not abandoning your preference entirely; you’re simply gathering data. Often, these small tests reveal unexpected benefits or prove that the “new” way isn’t as intimidating as you thought, building confidence for larger pivots.
3. Seek Diverse Perspectives (The “Outside Eyes” Strategy):
Tip: Intentionally seek out opinions and experiences from people who don’t share your preferences or who have successfully navigated the change you’re resisting. Choose a coach, a mentor, a peer in a different industry, or even a trusted client to gather a different point of view. Ask them about their experiences, challenges, and successes with alternative approaches.
Why it works: We all have blind spots. Fresh, external perspectives can highlight opportunities you missed, challenge limiting beliefs you hold, and provide valuable insights that break down your resistance. It expands your view beyond your own “cage of preference” and can help ensure your success in all areas: spiritually, mentally, emotionally, financially, and physically.
Remember, true freedom in entrepreneurship comes from being agile, adaptable, and forever curious. Don’t let your comfort zone become your confinement. Break free from those preferences, and watch your business and your life expand in ways you never imagined! Be blessed and protect your peace.
