Heartbeats Of change. The Story Of Fempreneurship.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are often born out of a desire for change, a longing to pursue one’s passions, and a willingness to take risks. Irina’s story so richly brings together all of these elements as she transitioned from a successful career in the corporate world to become a “fempreneur“, driven by her desire to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives while playing by her own rules.

Irina’s journey began with a background in psychology, which she initially pursued with her heart set on understanding and helping people. Despite her academic focus, she found herself drawn to various roles within Human Resources, where her knack for understanding people’s needs and motivations led to remarkable success. However, her longing for deeper fulfillment persisted, leading her to continue working as a part-time therapist alongside her corporate responsibilities.

Despite her achievements, a woman in her 40’s, Irina felt a nagging sense of unfulfillment. Her soul-searching eventually led her to a pivotal realization: she desired more autonomy and the freedom to shape her professional path according to her values and aspirations. So, she embarked on a new journey into entrepreneurship, a decision marked by a mixture of excitement, apprehension, and a sense of profound responsibility.

Sounds familiar?

Transitioning from the corporate world to entrepreneurship can be both physically and emotionally painful, especially for someone who excelled within the confines of established structures. It comes with many fears, from financial stability, dealing with family responsibilities and fear of having chosen wrong. 

The transition is even harder for women, who still face biases, gender discrimination and less access to resources. But Irina so nicely shares that “it is precisely in the face of these challenges that the uniqueness, grit, and determination of each women shine brightest.”

Not only “fempreneur“, but also “mompreneur“, Irina is laying a different narative for her daughter, one that tells the story of courageous women, daring to be, become and reinvent themselves despite what is expected. 

Working with women entrepreneurs who are not just entrepreneurs, but also wives and mothers I know that at the end of the day it can be exhausting to balance all responsiblities with love, grace and strong sense of duty. It is not easy and sometimes it takes another fempreneur to understand a fempreneur. 

Irina’s precise advice for other women wanting to take a step into entrepreneurship is to ask for help and to surround themselves with other women who already made the transition and have valuable lessons to share. 

As someone who experienced a similar story as Irina, and transitioned to become a business and entrepreneurship consultant, I also know how important it is to get the right help at the right time. The journey is not easy and aspiring entrepreneurs like Irina need a partner to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship with confidence and clarity.

One of the key aspects of how I work with entrepreneurs is to help them shape the mindset and skills necessary to thrive in the world of business. This involves teaching them to think, act, and decide like entrepreneurs, fostering a mindset of innovation, resilience, and adaptability. But also equip them with the tools to validate their ideas, iterate on their business model, and navigate the uncertainties of the entrepreneurial journey.

Having a deep understanding of the human mind and behaviors, Irina points out that “many times it is the fear of failure, judgement or unwanted consequences that pulls us away from our dreams. But, as we look back into our own lives, it becomes clear that regrets often stem from opportunities not seized rather than from those we dared to pursue.”

By saying “yes” to entrepreneurship and daring to chase our ambitions, we not only shape our own destinies but also inspire others to embark on their own change journeys. In the end, it’s the courage to try, the resilience to persevere, and the belief in our own potential that define the richness and depth of our life stories.