Embracing Growth as Women Entrepreneurs
Jean LaVallie, Founder and CEO of Women Entrepreneurs’ Secrets of Success (WESOS) joined us on Thriving Changes and shared profound insights on navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship, personal growth, and resilience. Jean's wisdom isn’t just for entrepreneurs - it’s for anyone striving to overcome challenges and embrace meaningful change.
Through her words, we’re reminded that adversity can be our greatest teacher, and by adopting certain mindsets and practices, we can not only survive tough times but thrive. Below, we’ll unpack her insights and offer practical steps to help you apply them in your own life.
The Power of Community: "When you have a whole community that refuses to let you fail, that’s a game-changer."
Success isn’t a competition; it’s a collective movement.
Jean highlighted how vital it is to have a supportive network. For women entrepreneurs especially, balancing business and personal life can feel isolating. But being surrounded by like-minded individuals who truly care and encourage you changes the game.
Practical Steps:
Seek Out Communities: Find or create a supportive group like WESOS. These communities don’t just provide networking opportunities; they offer a space to share struggles, learn from others, and receive moral support.
Be an Active Contributor: Relationships thrive on reciprocity. Support others in your community, celebrate their successes, and lend a hand when they face challenges.
Build a Safety Net: Identify 3-5 people in your life whom you can call for advice, motivation, or simply a listening ear. Know that you're not alone.
Empathy Over Ego: "Seek to understand first before trying to be understood."
In personal and professional relationships, Jean emphasizes the importance of understanding others before asserting our own perspective. Ego-driven reactions often lead to conflict, while empathy fosters connection and solutions.
Practical Steps:
Pause Before Reacting: When faced with a disagreement, pause and reflect. Ask yourself, “What could this person be experiencing right now that’s causing them to act this way?”
Ask Open-Ended Questions: When in doubt, ask questions like, “Can you help me understand your perspective?” It signals respect and opens the door to meaningful dialogue.
Practice Active Listening: This means truly hearing someone out without planning your response in your head. Acknowledge their feelings before sharing your perspective.
The Importance of Boundaries: "You cannot change anyone else. All you can do is change yourself, your perspective of them, and set boundaries."
Resilience often comes from knowing what you can control and letting go of what you can’t. Setting boundaries protects your energy and peace.
Practical Steps:
Define Your Non-Negotiables: What values or priorities are essential to you? Whether it’s time with family, work-life integration, or mental health, establish clear boundaries around them.
Communicate Assertively: Boundaries aren’t just for you - they need to be communicated effectively to others. Use “I” statements, such as, “I need uninterrupted focus during work hours.”
Stay Consistent: Once you set boundaries, stick to them. Consistency builds trust and reinforces the importance of your needs.
Choosing Peace: "I choose peace. I know that’s within my power."
Resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges but finding peace amid them. This requires mindfulness, self-awareness, and a commitment to inner calm.
Practical Steps:
Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness practices such as meditation, journaling, or deep breathing to stay centered. Apps like Headspace or Calm can help you get started.
Adopt Affirmations: Repeat affirmations like, “I choose peace over conflict,” or “I am in control of my reactions.” Over time, these affirmations reshape your mindset.
Detach from Negativity: Be selective about the energy you allow into your life. Limit interactions with toxic individuals and curate uplifting content in your social media feed.
Find Your Voice and Use It Wisely: "Make sure your revolution is for good."
Every word, action, and message you share has the potential to inspire change, uplift others, and shape the world around you.
Jean reminds us that finding your voice is powerful, but it comes with responsibility. Words have the ability to inspire change or cause harm, so they must be used thoughtfully.
Practical Steps:
Define Your Values: Identify the causes and principles that matter most to you. Let them guide how and when you use your voice.
Amplify Others: Use your platform to uplift others, particularly those whose voices are often unheard. Being a leader means creating space for others to shine.
Pause and Reflect: Before speaking or posting online, ask yourself, “Is this kind? Is it necessary? Is it constructive?”
Letting Go of Scarcity: "We can’t truly evolve until we let go of old habits of competing with each other and the scarcity mentality."
The scarcity mentality - believing there’s not enough success, resources, or opportunities to go around - can lead to unhealthy competition. Jean urges us to adopt a mindset of abundance and collaboration.
Practical Steps:
Celebrate Others’ Wins: Make a conscious effort to cheer on your peers, even if you’re struggling. This rewires your brain to see possibilities, not limitations.
Focus on Your Strengths: Instead of comparing yourself to others, hone your unique skills and passions. The more you focus on your path; the less scarcity will dictate your thoughts.
Collaborate Over Compete: Look for opportunities to partner with others, even in competitive spaces. Collaboration often creates more value than going it alone.
Empowering Yourself: "You don’t empower anyone; you give them the tools
True empowerment comes from within. While external resources and encouragement are helpful, it’s up to us to take action and claim our power.
Practical Steps:
Invest in Personal Growth: Read books, attend workshops, or take online courses to develop your skills. Knowledge is a key tool for empowerment.
Take Small, Bold Steps: Confidence grows with action. Even small wins, like speaking up in a meeting or setting a challenging goal, build momentum.
Surround Yourself with Inspiration: Align yourself with people, content, and experiences that uplift and motivate you.
Believing in Yourself: "You have something to offer, even when opportunities aren’t showing up."
Resilience starts with self-belief. Challenges and rejections are inevitable, but believing in your value will keep you moving forward.
Practical Steps:
Create a Vision Board: Visualize your goals and aspirations. Seeing them daily can reinforce your belief in your potential.
Track Your Wins: Keep a journal of your achievements, big or small. Reflecting on past successes can remind you of your capabilities during tough times.
Set Accountability Goals: Jean’s advice to “share a deadline with someone” is powerful. When others know your goals, you’re more likely to stay committed.
Embrace the Journey: "Everyone has a different journey, and everyone has struggles."
We’re often quick to compare our struggles to others. Jean’s reminder encourages us to focus on our unique path and extend grace to ourselves and others.
Practical Steps:
Practice Gratitude: Reflect on what’s going well in your life, even amidst challenges. Gratitude shifts your focus from lack to abundance.
Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge your progress along the way, not just the end goal. Every step forward matters.
Extend Compassion: Understand that everyone is navigating their own battles. Approach others with empathy rather than judgment.
Final Thoughts
Jean’s words are a testament to the resilience, courage, and wisdom that come from embracing change. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or simply someone striving for growth, her insights remind us that we have the power to transform our lives - and the lives of others - through community, empathy, and intentional action.
As Jean beautifully said, “Find your voice and use it for good.” Let’s start today by showing up for ourselves, for others, and for the abundant possibilities that await.
What step will you take today to thrive through change? Let us know in the comments or share your story. We’d love to hear from you.
