197 - 10 lessons I learned from running my first big event for women in business

What does it really take to turn a big idea into a room full of women in business — and what do you learn when you're the person responsible for making it happen?

In this episode, I'm sharing 10 of the biggest business and personal lessons I learned from organising and running my first large-scale event for women in business: the Pembrokeshire Women in Business Summit.

From having the courage to act on an idea before you feel completely ready, to selling tickets, building partnerships, creating genuine value, dealing with setbacks and learning that the fortune really is in the follow-up — this episode is about far more than event planning.

I talk about why fortune favours the brave, why you can't build a business trying to please everybody, the importance of having the right business coach or mentor in your corner, and why there is nearly always another route when the original plan doesn't work.

I also share something I think many female founders and women entrepreneurs will recognise: how easy it is to sabotage your own success, count yourself out before you've even started, or avoid taking the risks that could create the growth you actually want.

And perhaps most importantly, we talk about learning to be on your own side while you build — celebrating what worked, learning from what didn't, and actually allowing yourself to enjoy what you're creating.

Whether you're growing a small business, building your personal brand, organising a business event, networking locally, growing a community, or simply sitting on an idea you're not quite brave enough to act on yet, there's something in this episode for you.

In this episode: acting on great business ideas quickly; courage and calculated risk in entrepreneurship; creating value before thinking about what you'll get back; the power of follow-up; handling criticism and differing opinions; finding another way when plans go wrong; choosing supportive coaches and mentors; avoiding self-sabotage as your business grows; becoming comfortable with failure; and celebrating yourself while still looking for ways to improve.

If you're a woman in business, female entrepreneur, small business owner or mum in business who wants to grow a successful business without losing yourself in the process, have a listen.