8 minute read
20 Affirmations for Introverted Women Entrepreneurs
I am a successful entrepreneur who uses my introverted nature to my advantage.
I have the courage to take risks and the resilience to overcome any obstacle.
Advertisement
I have the creativity and insight to bring my ideas to life. I am strong and capable of achieving my goals.
I am a source of knowledge and wisdom, and I use it to benefit others.
I am confident in my ability to make sound decisions and trust my intuition.
I am passionate about my work and will always strive to do my best.
I take the time to reflect and learn from my experiences.
I am unafraid to stand up for myself and my values.
I am open to different perspectives and willing to adapt my strategies as needed
I trust my instincts and am comfortable with change
I am an independent thinker and will never be afraid to challenge the status quo.
I am capable of bringing my vision to life, no matter how big or small
I am resilient and have the strength to make it through any struggle.
I take pride in my accomplishments and strive to always grow
I have the wisdom to discern what is best for me.
I am comfortable in my own skin and will never compromise my values
I am passionate about learning and never stop growing.
I recognize and appreciate the unique talents I possess
I am confident in my ability to make a difference in the world.
THE POWER OF TWO: WHY YOU NEED A BUSINESS BESTIE
Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely and challenging journey, but having a business bestie can make all the difference. A business bestie is someone who understands the ins and outs of running a business, someone you can turn to for advice and support, and someone who shares your passion for entrepreneurship.
They're the person you can call when things get tough and they'll be there for you without hesitation. They’ve gone through similar struggles as an entrepreneur and understand what it takes to succeed.
Benefits of a Business Bestie Accountability
One of the most significant benefits of having a business bestie is accountability. When you have someone who is invested in your success, you are more likely to stay on track with your goals and commitments. They can help keep you accountable by checking in on your progress, offering encouragement, and holding you to your promises.
Support
Running a business can be emotionally taxing, and having a supportive friend who understands what you're going through can be invaluable. Your business bestie can be a sounding board for your ideas, a source of inspiration during tough times, and a cheerleader when you achieve success.
Brainstorming
Two heads are often better than one, and it’s great having someone to bounce ideas off of. Brainstorming with them can help you see things from a different perspective, come up with fresh ideas, and solve problems more efficiently.
Learning
No matter how experienced you are as an entrepreneur, there is always something new to learn. Having a business bestie means you have access to their knowledge experience and expertise
Both parties should be willing to offer their skills, knowledge, and experience to support each other. For example, if one person has expertise in marketing, they can offer advice and guidance to the other on how to improve their marketing strategies. Similarly, if the other person has connections in the industry, they can help introduce their business bestie to potential clients or partners.
In a mutually beneficial relationship, both parties should also be willing to be vulnerable and share their challenges and struggles. Being able to open up and ask for help can strengthen the relationship and make it easier to work together to overcome obstacles.
Ultimately, having a business bestie should be a win-win situation for both parties. Both should feel that they are benefiting from the relationship.
Finding Your Business Bestie
Finding a business bestie can be a game-changer for any entrepreneur, but it can be challenging to know where to start. Here are some tips for finding your perfect business bestie:
Attend industry-specific networking events to meet other entrepreneurs in your field. Look for events where you can have meaningful conversations and build relationships with other attendees.
Join entrepreneurial groups in your community or online. Facebook, LinkedIn, and Meetup are great places to start looking for groups that cater to your industry or interests.
Attend conferences and workshops related to your business to meet other entrepreneurs who are passionate about the same things as you.
Ask your existing business connections if they can introduce you to like-minded people. Referrals can be a great way to find someone who shares your values and goals.
Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with other entrepreneurs. Follow people in your industry and engage with their content to start building relationships.
Having a business bestie can be a valuable asset for any entrepreneur. They can provide accountability, support, brainstorming, networking, and learning opportunities that can help you succeed in your business. If you don't have someone yet, consider reaching out to other entrepreneurs in your network or joining a business group to meet like-minded individuals.
Remember, building a relationship with someone takes time and effort. It's essential to be patient and genuine in your interactions, and don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help or advice. Building a strong support system can make all the difference in your entrepreneurial journey, so take the time to find your perfect business bestie.
Insider
The Year Silence Visited Me
by Chandrika D. Phea
We were singers, the Phea Girls. From the books of the Bible to some of the most popular gospel choir songs of our time, we sang. The pastor of the first congregation I was active in said "only boys could play drums," so I taught myself to play, became a church drummer for a new church, then equipped others to take my place after I turned 18.
Standing down on the floor right beneath the pulpit podium because women weren’t allowed “up there,” I preached my first sermon, “Because He Lives, So Shall I,” as a teenager.
To help pay for college course books, I became a worship leader, having absolutely no idea what that role entailed. But there I was, front and center, so I figured it out to be awarded that college stipend. Being a worship leader evolved into singing in a gospel group that traveled the country, singing and recording with music artists, leading a worship team, and pastoring the music and arts department of the biggest Black charismatic church in my hometown at that time.
Not long after graduating from Beacon University with my degree in Biblical Studies to become a better orator of Christian teachings, I landed in China to do mission work. I was in China for two years, living on a university campus, teaching freshmen college students Conversational English. While teaching, I also led seven college students on a two-year Bible study in my campus apartment. During my time in China, I advocated for the presence of female voices leading from the pulpit of the Three-Self church for what was called Power Hour. The western men I served with did all the “preaching” while the women were encouraged to volunteer for everything else making that effort work. My goal was not to, again, be out front but for our female students to see feminine representation in the pulpit we were encouraging them to listen to. However, the advocacy landed me in the China pulpit and thereafter, other western women.
After my two-year international contract was fulfilled, I found myself back in the States, bent on diversifying my circle, so I moved into an apartment complex conducive to meeting neighbors. I walked across the street to hang out with and learn about the people connected to the Jewish Synagogue. I met and hung out with Korean college students who taught me how to make kimbap, and connected with young Muslim people who invited me to experience their Eid holiday. Observing Muslim women and their children, as they prayed in their designated place was an absolute gift and just another opportunity to grow and diversify my community In continuing to expand my circle, I turned to the outdoors by becoming a cyclist, a triathlete, and a hiker, even initiating and facilitating outdoor experiences for my communities’ Black women.
Then came a disruption Quarantine.
2020, the year silence visited me.
I live 882 miles from my hometown where my family resides, making for a very quiet quarantine at my home here in Georgia. 2020 introduced me to who I really am, an introvert. Yes. ME. Behind the aforementioned experience shared, hid an introvert. Go figure! But I could not have arrived at such a resolve without investigating the reason I never knew it. I was raised and reared to be in front, to lead. It’s what I knew most, engaging an audience, big or small, until, one day, silence knocked on my door and made its acquaintance.
Because I was immediately comfortable with the isolation of quarantine, it was so clear that this was who I had always been, an introvert, never having the chance to be it. I thought I had to always have something to say, an opinion to share, and a conversation to lead But the year 2020 introduced me to another side of myself and with open arms, I welcomed the opportunity to disengage from as much external engagement as was allowable I felt more empowered accepting myself as an introvert than I ever have in any role I’ve played prior to such a discovery. As an introvert, one of the most empowering discoveries is the expansion of time to observe that which is external while also turning inward. After said discovery, I found that as much as being observant is a gift, it intimidates those who do not possess the same skill but I am, nonetheless, empowered. Another aspect of introversion I discovered is the revelation of wisdom. There is something about turning inward and staying for a while that, at the perfect time, produces some kind of foresight. This experience is the reason I lean into opportunities of silence. I want to hear and see that which is beyond life’s surface
I shared, at the top of this article, all of what made me show up in the world as an extrovert, being a church girl encouraged to take the stage. The kind of church I grew up in is known for offering themes for the New Year, i.e., the most common, “The Year of Manifestation ” This year, as an interruption to the holiday busyness, my encouraging New Year social media post read, “Be still. This year’s wisdom just may be birthed out of today’s silence ” Introversion is 3 years old in my life and it will only be maturing from this moment on.
Chandrika D. Phea, an ordained reverend, is an outdoor enthusiast, a Georgia Public School Instructional Assistant by profession, and a partner with W Brand Publishing for the release of her debut, bestselling, award winning (two-time Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist, Writer’s Digest Honorable Mention) book, "Lord, I Don't Want to Die a Christian " In 2005, she graduated from Beacon University with a Bachelor's of Arts in Biblical Studies then went on to complete a two-year teaching and mission assignment in China that ultimately revolutionized her life. For fun, Chandrika initiates local outdoor events (e.g. Bikes, Breakfast & Black Girls) providing her community's Black women safe and trustworthy outdoor experiences. She offers of herself, “Water, contained, creates resistance. I am, 60% of it.” living in it?
My dream life looks like peace and alignment within my family, my circle, and my business. I am finally at a place of true and genuine peace and alignment spiritually and emotionally. As my business continues to develop alignment will come. I am truly grateful for my business growth and I am excited for the future as I continue to strive to impact positive change.