I seriously fucked up in my business

While figuring out my ideal client profile, I messed up. It wasn’t a straightforward mistake, because I did consider the correct variables… I just missed an aspect of one of them.

Aiming at tech startups makes sense — my expertise is first and foremost in tech.

Aiming at early-stage startups also makes sense — that’s where I spent my career.

Aiming at first-time founders — sensible — they need the most help due to lack of experience.

Aiming at women is a bold choice that shapes my brand — it has merit.

So where did I fuck up if everything makes sense?

I’m not aiming at women who already decided to build a startup and need guidance and advice.

I’m aiming at women who have an idea but haven’t decided to make the leap and try.

I am trying to educate the market.

Educating the market is expensive. Very very expensive. Like, “more money than I ever saw” expensive.

How did I hit that wall face-first? And more importantly, how do I get myself back on track?

I did it because I saw the problem (women abandoning great startup ideas without even trying) and saw the solution (me helping them build) but missed the adoption effort — shift in beliefs.

It’s not about my expertise not being showcased well enough because it’s not (just) about trusting that I can deliver on my promises.

It’s about them believing that they can do it, despite almost everything around them telling them that they can’t.

Worse still, it’s not about their skills as much as it’s about their time — if they believe that profiting from a startup takes years of endless work, they won’t be tempted to try.

I’m trying to educate a market that profiting from startups can be fast and easy, while the tech-bros’ propaganda claims it’s the hardest thing ever — even compared to birthing and raising children.

What was seen cannot be unseen. Believe you me that I’m shooketh. It explains why I’m having such a hard time. Despite seeing it, I don’t feel that I can steer away.

Tech bros built a glass ceiling. I’m coming at it with a hammer — and I’m not alone 😈

Want to help me make the world a better place? Hit reply and tell me about a negative thought you have about startups that would definitely prevent you from trying.

Love you, Queen 💕

Ela