Women, and men alike, can be extraordinary with persistence, strength, and ambition. For the purposes of this article, we are going to specifically discuss what the world feels are the top fifteen traits for female entrepreneurship.
Before we dive in, if we don’t cover an attribute you feel is absolutely critical to success, we would love to hear from you! Leave a comment with what you feel is most important trait for women in business.
1. Positivity
I think the best evenings are when we have messages, things that make us think, but we can also laugh and enjoy each other’s company.
Jane Goodall
Maintaining a positive outlook on life is key in being successful in all aspects of life from raising a family to running a corporation.
Women are well-known for being more optimistic in positions of authority. The bright side of situations is brought to the attention of the team and cranked at full speed.
2. Ambition
It doesn’t matter how great your shoes are if you don’t accomplish anything in them.
Martina Boone
Without ambition, there is no way to reach the big goals. Heck, there is barely any way to reach the little ones. You don’t sit around hoping for a company to be handed to you. You work toward the goal on a daily basis- even once you already have it.
3. Know Their Strengths
The most successful women know both their strengths and weaknesses. Weaknesses are reviewed and reflected upon; then, turned into strengths.
Know your strengths. Know your weaknesses. Play them both wisely. Have a strong plan.
4. Confidence
A confident woman, a woman who truly knows her worth and her power is a force to be reckoned with.
Mandy Hale
Do you know the saying ‘fake it until you make it?’ This is so important. And, it’s proven to be true. This has a lot to do with confidence in yourself and confidence in your passion. Confidence in your dreams.
Powerful women know they are powerful. Powerful women do not stop until they have accomplished what they have set in their mind to do.
Speak with confidence. Speak with credibility. Speak with authority. Know your worth.
5. Organization
Organization is an area many people struggle (men and women). But, organization is a must-have skill.
It’s extremely easy to become disorganized (especially when you have a lot on your plate). If you are feeling as if you are in a chaotic twister, take a moment to breathe, and review the information in front of you.
Female entrepreneurs are known to take this information and break it down piece by piece. Once the information has been broken down, it’s time to make a game plan.
Find some type of project management system and stick with it. Separate each “to-do” into specific tasks. Make due dates for those tasks. Get it done.
6. Self Growth
Successful female entrepreneurs are continuously improving themselves. There are always new things to learn whether you have been in business for 5 days, 5 years, or 5 decades. Stay fresh.
There are many female entrepreneurs (myself included) who have business coaches, life coaches, writing coaches, marketing coaches, etc. to help guide them along their way. This is particularly critical if you sit at your desk only to find a myriad of tasks to be completed.
7. Fail Forward
If it doesn’t scare you, you’re probably not dreaming big enough.
Tory Burch
If you fail, so what. Try again. If you fail for a second time, try again. Keep trying until you have learned all you can about those failures. Failures are how you move forward.
Every female entrepreneur, at some point in her career, and perhaps even continues to, fail forward. Remember, failure does not mean you aren’t doing well; it just shows you what you need to improve and where your areas of weakness are. Utilize failure to grow.
When you fail, write down why you failed. What did you do? What could you have done differently? Is there any information you should learn? A class you should attend? A skill you should gain? All of this information must be taken into consideration to ensure success.
8. No 9-5 Work Schedule
When you’re building a business, you’re either all in, or you’re not.
Barbara Corcoran
Success doesn’t just fall on your lap like a heavenly gift. But, if you work hard, you will see the rewards begin to pay off. At first, it may be small advances in the right direction. Every small advance leads you further forward and, before you know it, you look behind you to see how far you have traveled.
Successful female entrepreneurs don’t expect to work a traditional 9-5 work schedule. Some days there may only be a few hours to work to get tasks finished; other days are more like 14. Or, sometimes they may not even sleep for a night.
Of course, you want to try to be as balanced as possible. But, ensure you are working as hard as you can to reach your dream. This will take persistence, dedication, and perseverance.
9. Let it Go
Delete the negative; accentuate the positive.
Donna Karan
Female entrepreneurs who have climbed up the success ladder have had to learn to let things go. Of course, we are only human and there are going to be things we simply can’t. Or, some which may take a while.
If you are concerned about something, or there is something holding you back, ask yourself if it’s something that deserves your very valuable time or if it’s something that’s going to leave your time wasted.
We only live once (YOLO) so make sure any negative thoughts are worth your time and energy.
10. Enjoy What You Have While Working for What You Want
Successful, happy female entrepreneurs are happy with what they have right in front of them leaving the past behind (other than all the good memories) while working toward their goals. Find happiness in the small things.
Enjoy time with your family. Enjoy time with nature. Enjoy the little things. You don’t want to be so focused on business you forget to focus on the rest of your life.
Be thankful for every person in your life. Be thankful for the bad as well as the good because they both made you who you are today. Remain thankful for every opportunity. Be grateful for all you have right in front of your eyes.
11. No Success without Support
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
Audrey Hepburn
Successful female entrepreneurs do not become successful completely on their own. Whether it’s their family, their team, their clients, or their customers, they have formed some type of support system.
Having people who lift you up, who are encouraging, who support your dreams and goals, is extremely important.
Never surround yourself without negativity. If you find yourself in a negative environment, try your best to find your way out. Build a network of strength to surround yourself with.
12. Constructive Criticism; Not Peace-Interrupting Arguments
Powerful women have learned when to address a situation and when to walk away. Know when to keep your peace.
If you do feel your input is necessary, but do not feel the individual you are speaking with will pick up the pieces of your statements, there is no point in attempting. Learn when to fight and when to walk away. Don’t go into battle unless you have to.
13. Passion
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Jane Goodall
Passion is my personal absolute favorite. Successful female entrepreneurs are extremely passionate in what they do. They believe in the efforts they are making. That’s why so much time is spent. That’s why the extreme effort is worth it.
The passion inside provides inspiration. The passion provides so much inspiration and fire, even the ‘rough patches’ in business have a positive light shining through.
14. Vision
I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.
Estee Lauder
Every single entrepreneur needs vision. Envision your dreams. What is your plan to achieve the goals you have set? If you feel your goals are too large to accomplish the way you have them laid out, break each large goal into smaller goals so you can see all the progress you are making (and have made). Then, have the dedication and persistence to push through.
Keep the vision!
15. Never, Ever Give Up
If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.
Dolly Parton
It’s important to note as we complete this article, you must never give up. If you are an Entrepreneur, you work will never be done. If you are a good businesswoman, it just won’t. That’s a fact you will have to accept and learn to enjoy.
Make your mark on the world. Make a difference in the world. And never, ever give up!
Until next time!
