TOP BOSS

One woman who has forged ahead in business so successfully that she now dedicates her time to encouraging others to do the same is business mentor and executive coach Alex McCarthy

“Aswomen in business, we face many challenges, the biggest being our own mindset. Fear is far more prevalent amongst female founders than our male counterparts. Although women in the UK created over 150,000 businesses in 2022, a Financial Times study found that men are still three times as likely to start a new business.

“Some of the most common fears that I see include the fear of leaving a stable income, of being overwhelmed, of what other people will think, of nobody buying and also the fear of not being good enough. A lack of self-belief keeps many of us from getting started. We compare ourselves with others who are seemingly successful, which is all too easy with highlight reels on social media, where we only see what is presented and not the whole picture. It can feel hard but you have to dig deep and believe in yourself, and not allow that ‘inner critic’ to hold you back.”

Top Tip

“Find a support network. Business success is not a one-woman job, you need a whole boardroom cheering you on! It’s all too easy to give up on an idea before you’ve given it a chance, especially when discussing it with loved ones who may not have business experience themselves. Find yourself a mentor or community to be around, such as the Shropshire Women in Business networking group. Take responsibility for putting yourself in environments that allow you to grow.” www.alexmccarthycoaching.com

Business: Aubrey Kirkham Funeral Directors

Office: 01743 368999

Web: www.aubreykirkhamfuneraldirector.co.uk

What does your business offer?

We offer a sympathetic, compassionate and bespoke service to the bereaved, as well as dignified and respective care of the deceased.

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