We will often need support, cheering, and hype to keep moving forward as entrepreneurs. However, we also need facts, the (sometimes painful) truth, and the secret sauce, experience.

I’ve been thinking about the She Built This Gala, particularly the panel discussion. During the Q&A time with Emily Aborn, I felt grateful for the perspective shared with me as a woman in business. However, the most significant relief was hearing women entrepreneurs tell me what I don’t often see in marketing and social media. 

The truth.

I observed 100 women in business around me shaking their heads at statements like:

• It's okay to like money and things. You do you. This is a safe space here with like-minded women.

• It's okay to want to make more money. Despite society's progress, our brains still operate at a prehistoric level. Your brain may still be looking for permission. That's okay. There are women that can walk beside you.

• You will not start a business and make $10K a month. But is it possible that you might after being in business for years? YES!

• You can be a successful female entrepreneur. However, it is likely to take years of work.

The panelists have been in the game for years. Their experience, hard work, and failure have earned them this seat at the table to show you that it IS possible. In a short time, we see the highlight reel of their success. We would need more time if they were to share the failed products and services, the mistakes they made as leaders, and the things they learned by trying things they may have never thought they would need to do. 

This is how business is. And why it's essential that you are doing something you are genuinely passionate about. Because the reality of entrepreneurship and what marketing and social media will show you about entrepreneurship are vastly different.

• You will work 24/7 at times. You will learn where and when you can catch your breath. It takes practice.

• You work with clients that you don't LOVE. You have bills to pay. You will show up and provide your best.

• You need an idea that is a solution to a problem. You can't make the market want what you are offering.

• You won't be able to hide. People buy from people.

• You will learn how to adapt. Trying new products or services until you fine-tune your ideal client and what they want from you. You learn, try again on a repeat cycle.

• You will do things outside of your comfort zone. Doing things that are challenging. Doing things that you don't LOVE to do. And sometimes when you just don't want to do them.

You have to do the work.

Like the creative process, it takes courage, inner strength, and the willingness to try and fail before genius prevails.

Cheerleaders cannot be the only voices in the room. We need more women in business with experience modeling this behavior, speaking their truth, and sharing their stories. Dare I say, sharing the reality when things go wrong?

They can still do that by being your number one fan.