We think entrepreneurship is supposed to be lonely.
I hear it all the time.
Women tell me they’re waiting until they have more revenue before they join a community. They think they need to figure it out on their own before they ask for help. They convince themselves they’re “not ready” to be in the room.
I understand that feeling because I’ve been there too.
But after my conversation with Stephanie Cartin, co-founder of Entreprenista, I kept coming back to one thought.
Maybe we’ve been thinking about entrepreneurship backward.
The women who grow the fastest aren’t building alone.
Stephanie has spent years building a community of thousands of female founders. She’s watched women launch companies, raise capital, exit businesses, navigate health challenges, and start again.
After seeing so many entrepreneurial journeys up close, one pattern stands out.
The women who keep growing aren’t necessarily the smartest in the room or the ones with the biggest audience.
They’re the women who know how to ask for support.
They build relationships before they desperately need them. They surround themselves with people who challenge them, encourage them, and remind them what’s possible when they can’t see it themselves.
That’s not weakness.
That’s strategy.
Confidence doesn’t come first.
One part of our conversation really stayed with me.
Stephanie talked about how many women believe they need more confidence before they take the next step.
I’ve found the opposite to be true.
Confidence usually follows action.
It grows every time you make the call, join the room, ask the question, or invest in your own growth before you feel completely ready.
That’s true whether you’re launching your first business or building your fifth.
I’d love for you to hear this conversation
I intentionally left out some of my favorite moments because they’re better heard directly from Stephanie.
She shares the personal experiences that shaped her as a founder, why community became the foundation of Entreprenista, and what she’s learned after supporting thousands of women through every stage of entrepreneurship.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re ready for your next level, I think this episode will meet you exactly where you are.
Think about where you are today.
Are you trying to build your business by yourself?
Or are you building relationships that will help carry you through the next season?
I’d love to hear your answer.
Leave me a comment below. I read every one, and some of the best conversations in this community begin there.
With love and purpose,
Tracy
P.S. If another founder came to mind while you were reading this, send this to her. Sometimes the most valuable business decision you’ll make isn’t hiring another employee. It’s finding the right people to build alongside.
