If you’ve ever stepped out of your comfort zone, it’s likely you’ve felt a dose of imposter syndrome. Especially if you’ve started a business from the ground up.

Feeling like an imposter as a first-time business owner is a common experience! But it doesn’t need to end there. You can take steps to build your confidence in your leadership role.

Here are some strategies to help you become more confident as a first-time business owner.

Self-care is not just a luxury; it's an essential component of running a successful business.

As a micro or small startup business owner, you might feel tempted to prioritise your business over your personal well-being, but neglecting self-care can have detrimental effects on both your health and the success of your venture.

Incorporating self-care into your routine doesn't mean neglecting your business responsibilities. Instead, it empowers you to be a more effective and resilient entrepreneur.

By valuing your well-being and practicing self-care, you're not only benefiting yourself but also creating a solid foundation for the growth and prosperity of your business.

Here's why self-care is crucial for business owners.

Running a business as a woman requires many of the same skills and strategies as running a business as a man. However, there are also unique challenges that women may face, such as gender bias, stereotypes and even things like pregnancy and needing to wear many hats.

But don’t worry gals, you already know this — but there are also a whole heap of unique strengths that us women bring to the table when it comes to running a business too. If you’re a girl boss or an aspiring girl boss — here are some tips for you, to run and build a successful, meaningful business. (Tips that I’m also learning too).

Taking the time to create a strong business plan will create your roadmap to success. Ultimately, a well-crafted business plan will help you, as the business owner and entrepreneur — to stay focused on the big-picture, stay organised and aware of your strengths, weaknesses, organisational culture and projections. As you gain clarity (and continue to refine your clarity as you revisit your plan over time) — it will create your roadmap and trajectory towards long-term success.

Business will be both wonderful and incredibly challenging. Gut wrenchingly difficult yet rewarding beyond what words could describe. Experts say that building something from nothing is more difficult than scaling it, so if you’ve got a business up and running — well done! It is no small thing.

By reaching out for support, delegating some of the load, setting aside time to rest, doing the things we you outside of work and asking the hard questions — you can build a meaningful business that aligns with your personal values and lifestyle.

Set boundaries. Make bold decisions. Know that you are taking the driver’s seat and setting the course of your life. Make sure you remember to laugh more and enjoy the process.

If you’re a small business owner, and you’re feeling burnt out, you’re not alone. It’s a horrible place to be — but sometimes our bodies know best. If you’ve been operating at full-steam without much support, rest, rewards, and cashflow, it can have a detrimental long-term effect on your wellbeing.

Burnout is your body’s way of telling you that you’ve reached your limits (probably a long time ago), and you’ve pushed through. But you need (note the emphasis): you need to take care of yourself. Not just as an emergency resort, (if you’re currently burnt out, it is an emergency, and you need to listen to your body) — but consistently. Consistent self-care is the key for us to thrive in our business, relationships, homes, etc. Prevention is always better than cure.

If you’re feeling at the end of yourself mentally and physically, here are some things I tried to put into practice to bring myself back to equilibrium.

Here are 5 reasons why you should start your own business in 2023: Working for yourself in 2023 can bring a number of benefits, including:

Independence and Autonomy: Being your own boss and running your own business gives you a sense of independence and autonomy. You get to make the decisions and create the vision for your business, which can be incredibly empowering.

Flexibility: As a business owner, you have the ability to set your own schedule and work from anywhere you choose. This can be a great benefit for those who value work-life balance or have other commitments outside of work.

Creative Expression: Starting your own business allows you to express your creativity and pursue your passions. Whether you are launching a new product or providing a unique service, you have the freedom to create something that is truly your own.

Financial Benefits: Owning a successful business can be financially rewarding. You have the potential to earn more money than you would as an employee, and you can also benefit from tax deductions and other financial perks.

Personal Growth: Running a business requires a lot of hard work and perseverance, which can lead to personal growth and development. You will learn new skills, build your confidence, and overcome challenges along the way.

Overall, starting your own business can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience, but it also requires a lot of dedication and hard work.

One of the hardest things about business is feeling alone in it. But we’re never truly alone. It takes a lot of courage and vulnerability to reach out for support.

It’s unfortunately common for entrepreneurs to feel alone when it comes to running their business. When feeling alone, it can be a good sign to rebuild our support network, reassess our values & take a look at our schedule or workload to see if there are any changes that can be made. Here are a few things I’ve found incredibly beneficial to feel more supported and less alone as an entrepreneur.