An Open Letter to Women Business Owners

Owning your own business can be a long and lonely journey. That’s why, dear Business Sisters, it’s OK to…

• Increase your fees, especially if you’ve had higher costs. You can’t continue to take the hit. When you explain it, most will understand. Those who don’t aren’t loyal anyway.
• Charge people who don’t cancel ahead of their appointment. You have a business to run, and you’re not “being a bitch” when you asked to be treated fairly.
• Apply for that grant, that business support program. Many other people won’t, thinking they don’t have a shot. Take the chance; remember that if you don’t, you definitely won’t get it. But if you try, there is still that chance.
• Fire that employee who has broken the rules, disrespected your customers, and disrespected you. You’re not helping yourself or your customer when you hope they leave on their own.
• Ask for a better deal from your bank, your insurance company, or any other service provider or supplier. When you’ve proven your loyalty, and shown consistency in your business, it’s OK to ask to be rewarded. You may not get a break, and that’s OK. But if you don’t ask, you won’t get.

It’s also OK to…

• Be confused, scared or angry.
• Ask questions, and to challenge assumptions.
• Want to scream, and cry.
• Go for a walk, or go for a longer break, a vacation even.

Always remember that it’s OK to reach out for help. That’s why we’re here at Business Sisters: to help. So you have a group of people to whom you can turn for real life advice, or a referral to someone who is trusted. If you have a question, please reach out to us!

This post was motivated by an image I saw on LinkedIn which was referred to as “Google’s Manifesto,“ and started with “It’s OK to…”. I was unable to verify authorship and authenticity, though I appreciated the inspiration!

What Do You Think?

Please share your experiences and thoughts below. Let’s learn from one another and celebrate each other’s successes.

Thanks for reading!