Many women start out with heart – and end up exhausted. Why it’s not enough to be self-employed if you want to be taken seriously. A plain text.
The moment of realization
I still remember the exact moment when I knew I couldn’t go on like this. I was sitting at my desk, between half-drunk coffee cups and a to-do list that followed my longing more than my strategy. I had built a business from the heart, with a lot of love, intuition and the firm belief that if I just gave enough, it would work out somehow.
But it didn’t work. Not the way I had imagined. I had visibility, followers, maybe even applause – but no real turnover. No planning security. No foundation. And the more I worked, the emptier I became. It wasn’t a burnout in the classic sense, but rather a “loss of luminosity”. An inner bleeding out. Because I gave everything and got too little back.
I was visible. I had expertise. But I wasn’t an entrepreneur. Not yet.
One case among many: The story of Marie
Marie was one of my first 1:1 clients. Graphic designer, multi-talented, creative to the core. When we met, she had a beautiful portfolio, a lovingly designed website and an offer that she had formulated “from the heart”. But the calendar remained empty. Month after month. “I’m doing everything right,” she said at the time. “I post, I give tips, I’m visible. Why isn’t anyone booking?”
We watched their performance together. What we found was not a problem of quality. It was a lack of clarity. Marie didn’t want to exclude anyone, so she addressed everyone. She wanted to be fair, so she didn’t name any prices. She didn’t want to push, so she lacked any kind of sales structure.
The moment of truth came when she told me: “If this goes on, I’ll have to go back to permanent employment.” Her voice trembled. Not because she was afraid of work. But because she knew she would never be able to be herself there. That was her tipping point.
Heart is not enough – attitude counts
What many do not see: A business of the heart alone is not enough. You need entrepreneurial clarity. A positioning that not only sounds good, but also sells. An offer that not only feels, but hits. And prices that reflect, rather than estimate, your value.
Marie has made her decision. For clarity. For a top target group. For a single signature offer. She started talking about results instead of just feelings. And yes: she has learned to sell. In her own way. In connection. But with structure.
What has changed
I also had to make a decision at some point. Stop hoping nicely. Start thinking entrepreneurially. No more vendor’s tray. No more content strategy without a goal. No more self-doubt as a constant companion.
I sharpened my positioning, adjusted my prices, built up my signature range and stopped asking myself whether it was “too much”. Because I was. Finally whole.
And suddenly the sales started flowing. Not because I got louder. But because I became clearer. The right women found me. The ones who were prepared to make a new decision for themselves. For more than just a little independence.
What being an entrepreneur really means
Being an entrepreneur doesn’t mean hustling 14 hours a day. It means taking responsibility. Making decisions. Creating structures that support you. And above all: taking yourself seriously. Not just as a person, but as a brand. As a leader. As an economic force.
Many women shy away from the term. Female entrepreneur sounds like a suit, numbers and elbows. But what if we redefine it? What if being an entrepreneur means: embodied. Clearly. With attitude.
An invitation to you
Maybe you’re at the same point that Marie and I were at. Maybe your heart is burning, but your bank account remains empty. Maybe you have a great vision inside you, but don’t dare to pursue it entrepreneurially. Then take this as an invitation.
Not to more doing. But to more responsibility. Not to more toughness. But to more clarity. Not less heart – but more attitude.
Because a business that fulfills and sustains you is not created through hope. But through decision.
And perhaps today is just the right day for it.
About the author
Du hast genug vom „Ich müsste mal…“ und willst ein Business, das deinen Anspruch spiegelt?
Dann bist du hier genau richtig.
Ich arbeite mit ambitionierten Frauen, die bereit sind, groß zu denken, klar zu handeln und ihre Vielbegabung endlich als Vorteil zu nutzen.
Gemeinsam schärfen wir deine Positionierung, entwickeln dein Signature-Angebot und bauen ein Business, das sichtbar, strategisch – und vor allem profitabel ist.
Meine Angebote sind keine Feel-Good-Spielwiese.
Sie sind für Macherinnen, die Verantwortung übernehmen – für sich, ihre Wirkung und ihren Erfolg.
