Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Solo Grind, I’m getting real about what it means to be a woman in business especially for those of us who grew up being told to follow the rules, stay in line, and not make waves. Spoiler alert: The hell I won’t.
I’m reflecting on my journey as a solo entrepreneur, the unique challenges we face, and the ridiculous limitations society tries to place on us. We’re talking about the power of showing up as your full, unapologetic self, celebrating how far you’ve come, and proving the naysayers wrong, without waiting for permission.
What I hope you take away from today's episode...
- Permission to take up space. You don’t have to be quieter, smaller, or less ambitious to make others comfortable. Own your success.
- A reminder that you’re not alone. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t quite fit the mold, welcome to the club. You’re in good company.
- The courage to break the “good girl” rules. You don’t have to follow the path others laid out for you. Create your own.
- The push to celebrate your wins. You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Don’t downplay your success or wait for someone else to acknowledge it.
- The confidence to do business your way. You don’t have to run things the way others expect. Build a business (and life) that makes you excited to wake up in the morning.
Links to some really cool stuff:
Check out the She Built This Podcast by Emily Aborn - an oldie but still a goodie!
The song Keep ‘Em on They Toes by Brent Cobb
Links to connect with me...
Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)
Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io
Find me on Substack!
Detailed Show Notes
(automatically transcribed using AI Technology)
Hello and happy Tuesday to everybody out there listening to The Solo Grind, or whatever day it is that you’re tuning in. I’m so glad to have you here!
I’m Teresa Schlup, and my passion (my job, my dream, my everything) is helping women solo entrepreneurs especially those in service-based industries stand out through branding, website design, and digital marketing. And I love what I do.
If that sounds like something you want to learn more about, scroll down to the show notes where you’ll find my best contact info. Let’s have a conversation! But for now, we’re focusing on the podcast The Solo Grind.
This morning, I’m sipping coffee from one of my favorite mugs, it’s a She Built This mug from Emily Aborn. Her previous podcast and business, She Built This, that celebrated women business owners and women who build something amazing. And as I sit here, I’m marveling at the fact that I’m coming up to the end of Season 2.
Don’t worry it’s not today! I’ve got at least a month’s worth of episodes coming before I take a little break. But still, I’m amazed at how incredible this journey has been. A year ago, this wasn’t even on my radar.
Sure, I’ve dreamed about starting a podcast since… probably 2019. But last March? Last April? I wasn’t even considering it. And I never would have guessed that just one year later, I’d be wrapping up Season 2.
So, cheers to everyone out there who has accomplished something they didn’t expect in the last 12 months! Cheers to you. Cheers to Emily I love this mug that my bestie, Crystal, sent me back when we were building our businesses long ago. And cheers to everyone listening. I’m here to celebrate you.
Now, it’s April 1st April Fool’s Day. But I’m not playing any jokes today. Honestly? I’m not a fan of April Fool’s Day but that’s a topic for another time.
What I am excited for is the new month ahead.
If I had to put a theme on this month, it would be limitations.
I’ve had some incredible conversations lately with listeners, clients, and friends, and those conversations have really made me reflect on the limitations placed on us as solo entrepreneurs.
And I’d go even further the limitations placed on us as women solo entrepreneurs.
Now, let me be clear: this is not about diminishing men. Building a thriving business is challenging for anyone, regardless of gender. There are obstacles, challenges, and limitations that we all have to navigate. But having never been a man, I can only speak to the experience of being a woman.
And through open, honest conversations with my husband, Todd, and other men I admire, I feel pretty confident saying that women face different challenges.
And that’s what this month is going to be about. The unique challenges and limitations women in business face.
To those of you who’ve had these conversations with me recently, thank you. I honestly went on vacation without a clear idea of how I wanted to finish Season 2. And now? I know.
One of the things that came up in these conversations was a comment from a listener. And I want to do a little shoutout because this meant so much to me.
They told me they love that I’m not perfectly polished in my podcast. That I don’t hesitate to take a sip of coffee or water, or even acknowledge when I scratch my nose. (Apparently, I did that?!)
There’s a part of me, the perfectionist, that cringes at that. Because really? Who announces that they’re scratching their nose?
But honestly? That was one of the best compliments I could have received.
Because I want this podcast to be real. That’s why every episode starts off with the raw and real reality of being a solo entrepreneur. I don’t want to be overly polished I want to be real.
Because life? It isn’t always pretty and glamorous. It’s not the curated, made-up story people post on social media. Sometimes, it’s messy. And sometimes, your hair looks fabulous. That’s just real life.
And I love that my listeners see that. So, thank you truly.
And now, let’s dive into today’s conversation.
Women in Business: Breaking the Rules
A conversation I had with another listener, Lucille, really inspired today’s episode. Lucille, thank you! I loved reconnecting with you.
We talked about what it means to be a woman-owned business.
And let me just say: this is a big deal.
As women, we face unique challenges and limitations. And for those of us in the 40+ or 50+ crowd? Those challenges are even more distinct.
I look at my daughter, who is 25 and runs her own business, and I can already see the difference. She hasn’t faced the same barriers that I did.
I grew up in a world where we were taught to be good girls.
We were taught not to make waves. We were taught to be pleasant and soft-spoken. We were taught to be pretty and find a good husband. We were taught to be nurturers and caregivers, always giving, even at the expense of ourselves.
Now, my generation (Gen X, I think?) was encouraged to dream. But at the same time? We were shamed for ambition.
We were told:
“You can do anything you set your mind to.”
But also:
“Don’t get too big. Don’t be too ambitious.”
There’s a song that sums this up perfectly Keep ‘Em on They Toes by Brent Cobb. There’s a line that says:
"They tell you don’t get too low, but don’t get too high."
And that’s exactly what we were taught.
In the corporate world, I literally had a performance review where I was told to be less.
To not try so hard. To not accomplish so much. Because it made other people uncomfortable.
That is the world I grew up in. And I know many of you did too.
And yet here we are.
Despite all of that, we’ve built businesses. We’ve broken rules. We’ve thrived.
So, today, I want you to celebrate that.
Celebrate how far you’ve come. Celebrate the rules you’ve broken. Celebrate the ceilings you’ve busted through.
And to anyone who tells you to be less, to slow down, to not do so much?
I say... Screw that!
Go be your most amazing self.
Live, laugh, and love unapologetically.
Dare to dream and then succeed.
The people who love you even if they don’t get it will love you anyway.
And those who do get it? They’ll admire your courage and cheer you on.
But don’t live for the praise. Live for the joy of the life you’re creating.
Because I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Best love and wishes to each and every one of you out there for this week. I will be back next week with some more topics about proving people wrong, busting through ceilings and accomplishing those big dreams. And I hope that you join me here as well. Until we meet again, have an amazing and fabulous, day.
