Coaching as a multiplier for women-led startups

Women don’t need to be “more confident.” They need better support. In the entrepreneurial world, women are often told to: → Speak louder → Show up bolder → Be more confident But confidence isn’t the root issue. The issue is this: Too many women are building businesses in systems that weren’t designed for them—without the right support. They’re making decisions in isolation. Balancing ambition with caregiving. Fighting imposter syndrome in rooms that never feel quite built for them. That’s where coaching comes in. → To ask the deeper questions behind every big decision → To separate self-doubt from strategic pause → To hold space for both big vision and real boundaries I coach women entrepreneurs who are ready to scale—with clarity, alignment, and self-trust. Not by changing who they are, but by growing into all that they already are. If you’re building something powerful and you know it’s time for deeper support— let's talk. You don’t have to build it alone.

🌟 Bridging the Gap Between Capital and Capability: Why Founders Need Coaching as Much as Funding Over the last decade, I've had a front-row seat to the highs and lows of building in emerging markets. I've raised capital, scaled a digital lending business, and navigated the complexities of running a fintech in high-growth but unpredictable environments. 💡 Money alone doesn't build great companies—great founders do. Every investor and accelerator wants to back exceptional founders, but too often, the focus is entirely on capital. Fundraising is framed as the ultimate milestone, yet once the money is in the bank, many founders find themselves stuck: 🔄 Decision fatigue—so many choices, so much uncertainty 👥 Leadership strain—scaling from founder to CEO is an entirely different job 🎯 Loneliness—the pressure is relentless, and the weight of expectations is heavy ⚠️ And now, in the aftermath of the funding boom and bust, many founders are realizing something else: the same investors who once pushed for hypergrowth at any cost are now demanding sustainability and profitability—while withholding funds. We've seen it play out across the ecosystem. Founders were encouraged to scale aggressively, expand rapidly, and optimize for growth over financial discipline. And then, the tide turned. The very people who had championed risk-taking became the enforcers of caution, leaving many startups scrambling for survival. 🎯 This is why independence in decision-making is essential. Looking back, there were key decisions in my journey that would have been completely different if I had a coach who was independent of the board and shareholders. Investors provide capital, mentors offer guidance, but founders are often left to wing it to success. There has to be a better way. 💫 Coaching provides something rare in the startup world—a space for founders to think, away from the noise. A place to sharpen decisions, challenge blind spots, and develop the resilience needed to build enduring businesses, not just hype cycles. 🚀 Accelerators and venture programs do an incredible job of equipping founders with networks, funding, and operational support—but what if they also invested in their founders' leadership capacity? 💭 What if every founder had access to coaching—not as a luxury, but as an essential part of scaling successfully? 🤝 I'd love to work with accelerators, venture programs, and investor-backed founders to help them build both their companies and themselves. 📩 If you run an accelerator, mentor founders, or are a founder yourself let's chat about how coaching can unlock the next level of performance for your startups. #FounderCoaching #Leadership #Startups #VentureAccelerators #FounderGrowth #ScalingLeadership

As a founder or CEO, trying to navigate business growth feels like managing a never-ending to-do list. Balancing leadership, strategic planning, selling, and daily operations is a constant challenge for many of us. For women entrepreneurs, this includes managing personal and family responsibilities while trying to maintain a social life. Whether it's missing family moments, skipping time with friends, or feeling guilty for not being everywhere at once, it is extremely overwhelming. I meet founders every week who experience similar challenges. One founder recently shared how overwhelmed she feels by the number of tasks she has to manage, leading to constant stress and frustration from not excelling in any one area. This resonates deeply with my own experience: 🔄 Overwhelming Responsibilities: I once felt burdened by the pressure of juggling countless tasks, always on the edge and not succeeding in any one area. 🗣️ Finding a Safe Space: Working with an executive coach was pivotal. It provided a safe space to express my overwhelm and get crucial advice for necessary changes. 🎯 Prioritizing and Setting Boundaries: My coach's guidance helped me prioritize, set boundaries, and manage stress effectively - and gave me the space to be the mom that my son needed. This experience solidified for me the importance of having support and a confidant to lean on!!! If you find yourself in a similar spot, here are a few of the ways I can help you: 🤝 Connecting with Resources: I often introduce founders to fractional professionals, such as HR specialists and marketing experts to delegate tasks. This not only alleviates their workload but strengthens the team. 🌱 Sustainable Growth Strategies: I work closely with women founders to develop sustainable growth strategies and build high-performing teams, essential for business success. 👥 Joining as a Fractional Executive: In some cases, I join the team as a fractional executive, offering hands-on support during critical phases. The importance of a support system is undeniable, both professionally and personally. We don't have to carry the burden alone. Bringing in a fractional leader or seeking guidance from an executive coach can be transformative, allowing you to focus on what truly matters and excelling in your strengths. I am here to help. ❤️ Megan #WomenInBusiness #SupportSystem #WomenSupportingWomen #FractionalExecutive #ExecutiveCoaching

I want to share the impact of coaching, especially for women leaders. While coaches often talk about its benefits, hearing from someone who's lived it is different. My own experience started when I felt like I was just going through the motions of leadership—outwardly confident but secretly scared of failing. Thanks to my coach, Patrick Mork, I've experienced a genuine breakthrough. 1. 🧭 Coaching has helped me find confidence in my own thoughts and decisions, teaching me to trust my inner voice over external opinions. This new confidence has led me to seek more opportunities and take greater risks. 2. 🌟 A key goal for me was to lead authentically, without conforming to pre-existing frameworks of what leadership 'should' look like. Coaching helped me discover and own my authentic leadership style. 3. 💬 Patrick taught me a new method called FUEL (Frame, Understand, Explore, Launch) for dealing with feedback. This has been far more effective than traditional methods like the feedback sandwich / SBI model. 4. 🔍 Coaching revealed the 'saboteurs' in my mind. I've learned to silence these internal critics, which has freed up mental space for better decision-making. To explore your own 'saboteurs', check out: https://lnkd.in/eMJAdgcU 5. 🎧 My ability to listen and ask questions has improved significantly, making every conversation more meaningful, whether it's personal or professional. Coaching has not just helped me—it's given me the tools to help others unlock their potential, creating a domino effect of positive changes! The evidence is clear: coaching can improve how women handle conflicts by 40%, increase their chances of getting promoted by 60%, and make their decision-making 30% better. Let's spread the word about how coaching can help us all grow and achieve more. #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #WomenInLeadership #Coaching