Femmeprenista: Embrace the Beautiful Chaos of Your Journey
My Journey, Your Mirror: How Embracing the “Beautiful Chaos,” Owning My Pivotal Moments, & Taking Responsibility Forged Femmeprenista – And How These Lessons Can Fuel Your Own Success
Hello lovely,
Ever feel like you’re the only one juggling a to-do list longer than your arm, a heart full of ambition, & a household that occasionally resembles a creatively curated explosion in a glitter factory? You’re definitely not alone. My name is Carlene Nisbett, & while I’m the founder of Femmeprenista, I’m also a mum of four, a PhD researcher, a partner, a pet-parent to two rather spirited Miniature Pinschers, & at my core, I’m just like you. Honestly, sometimes I feel like I need a holiday *from* the holiday!
**If you’re a Foundation Builder,** just launching your business or trying to secure those first few consistent clients, this article is for you.
My journey to founding Femmeprenista hasn’t been a straight line. Far from it! It’s been a wonderful, windy, sometimes bewildering path, full of pivotal moments, tough lessons, unexpected triumphs, & a whole lot of what I lovingly call “beautiful chaos.” And I want to share it with you, not as some perfectly polished success story, but as a mirror. A mirror where, I hope, you’ll see reflections of your own challenges, your own strengths, & the incredible power that lies in owning your unique story. Embracing that journey, with all its unexpected turns, can actually be the secret weapon that fuels your business success. Studies show that entrepreneurs who embrace their personal narratives are 30% more likely to build thriving, sustainable businesses.
Because here’s the truth: the lessons I’ve learned – about embracing the mess, taking unwavering personal responsibility for my path, & finding strength in the struggle – are the very bedrock of Femmeprenista. & I truly believe they can fuel your own extraordinary success too.
So, grab a cuppa (or something stronger, no judgement here!), get comfy, & let’s take a little walk through my world.
The Early Sparks: From Playground Ventures to Finding My Voice
My entrepreneurial spirit, bless its cotton socks, sparked young. I was that kid in the playground with a pocketful of sweets & a surprisingly sophisticated sales pitch for a ten-year-old. I’d hawk those lollipops like I was selling beachfront property – “Guaranteed to make your Tuesday *way* better!” Even then, there was a little voice whispering about doing things my own way. & seriously, who actually has the bandwidth for complex spreadsheets when you’re ten?!
That voice got a bit quieter, though, navigating an education system that didn’t always feel like the right fit. I remember feeling like I was constantly trying to catch up after a mid-year move from a public school that wasn’t serving me to a private one. It was a beneficial shift, don’t get me wrong, but it instilled this lasting awareness of what it feels like to be playing catch-up, to doubt if your questions are “silly,” or if your voice even matters. I saw real advocacy in action when my own father, bless him, would passionately argue with teachers who seemed determined to tell me to just “shut up & sit down.” Those moments lit a fire in me about the importance of finding & using your voice, & ensuring others can too. It’s really funny, because that fierce support definitely had an impact.
University was another adventure. My first attempt felt… off. I was homesick, the course wasn’t quite right, & I just couldn’t find my “tribe.” It took courage to admit it wasn’t working, take a gap year, & listen to that gut feeling. & thank goodness I did, because it led me to the University of East London. There, studying Fashion Design with Marketing, everything just clicked. I found my people, the course resonated (especially the business side of marketing – who knew!), & I thrived, even with my eldest daughter, my tiny firstborn, as a baby during my studies. It was a powerful lesson in trusting my intuition & understanding just how crucial the right environment is for growth. How does this resonate with your own journey to find the right ‘fit’ for your business… or your life?
That “now or never” feeling hit hard in my final year, especially as a new mum. It spurred me & a friend to enter the E-Factor competition, which led to co-founding my first proper venture, Nisbett & George. Oh, the lessons I learned! About partnerships, about the sheer grit required when you’re a mother trying to build something from scratch, & about differing commitment levels when life stages aren’t aligned. I wanted to go all-in; my partner, not yet a parent, understandably needed the security of a job. It was a tough but invaluable education in the unique realities of being a female entrepreneur & a mother. I don’t just dig the hole [I’m told to]; I actually question Is this the best way of doing things? – & that was a key lesson from that experience!
These early experiences, the wobbles & the wins, started shaping my core beliefs: the undeniable power of listening to your gut, the magic of finding (or creating) an environment where you can flourish, & above all, the non-negotiable importance of taking personal responsibility for your journey. It’s not always easy, but it’s always yours. Honestly, learning to trust your intuition is like levelling up in a video game.
The Corporate Detour & The MBA Game-Changer
Like many, I took a detour into the corporate world. I worked with some big names, like Apple & Electrolux, & while I gained incredible experience, there were recurring themes. That feeling of being a “replaceable cog” in a giant machine? Yep, felt that.
* The frustration of pouring your heart & soul into projects only for your name to be mysteriously absent when the kudos were handed out? Been there.
* The challenging internal politics where, despite owning my mistakes & proactively trying to improve processes, I sometimes found myself a convenient scapegoat? That was a particularly tough lesson in how the “corporate game” is played – a game I realised I wasn’t wired for, or particularly interested in mastering.
You know that feeling, right? When you feel like you’re speaking a completely different language to everyone else?
The real turning point, though, came after my third child. The thought of returning to a corporate role where I often felt micromanaged, significantly underpaid for the value I delivered (think delivering £60k work for a £30k salary), & where the flexibility needed for a young family felt like a distant dream, filled me with a unique kind of dread. There *had* to be a better way.
That’s when the Cranfield MBA entered the picture. Initially, I saw it as a way to bolster my qualifications, perhaps for a more senior corporate role that offered more autonomy. The taster day was like a series of mini-explosions going off in my head – new ideas, exciting concepts! A chance encounter in the car park with the programme head, who encouraged me & mentioned scholarships, felt like a sign. The journey to acceptance was a whirlwind, but getting that acceptance letter (literally moments before I was due to discuss my return from maternity leave, intending to resign!) confirmed I was on a new path. The MBA itself was intense – demanding days, late nights, team projects, all while juggling a baby (my second daughter was just an infant). My incredible partner was my rock, managing early drop-offs, late pick-ups, & our little ones, while my brain felt like it was constantly running a marathon. It was tough on everyone. But the clarity it brought was profound. Immersed in strategic business principles, I realised that even climbing higher up the corporate ladder wouldn’t give me the quality of life, the direct impact, or the true autonomy I craved. It reconnected me with that little girl selling sweets in the playground.
The prestigious MBA didn’t steer me towards a better corporate job; it powerfully reaffirmed that my true path lay in entrepreneurship. As I’ve said before, life is about the *quality* of it, not just how much you’ve got in the pocket. That conviction was the real catalyst. It challenged me to take all that knowledge, all those experiences, & build something myself. Something that aligned with my values, my family, & my desire to make a real difference. Honestly, sometimes I feel like the MBA was a very expensive detour that led me right back to where I was meant to be!
Embracing the “Beautiful Chaos”
Fast forward, & life is a vibrant, beautiful, & yes, often chaotic, dance. Four incredible children – from a teenager navigating those exciting & angsty years, to a six-year-old full of bright questions, a fiercely independent two-year-old, & our newest little infant son – fill our home with love, laughter, & the occasional moment that makes you wonder how you’ll make it to bedtime. Add in our two Miniature Pinschers, Cappuccino (the chilled mum) & Espresso (the hyper daughter who quite literally bounces off walls), & you’ve got the picture! & trust me, Cappuccino gives Espresso the side-eye on a *daily* basis!
Running Femmeprenista, pursuing my PhD in Black Female Entrepreneurship, & being truly present for my family is… a juggle. The reality is, entrepreneurship, motherhood, PhD life – it’s all a part of the “beautiful chaos” that shapes my journey. There are days when I’m trying to outline a marketing strategy while a toddler uses my leg as a climbing frame, or when a crucial thought is interrupted by the urgent need to mediate a dispute over who gets the last biscuit. I’ve had those mornings where you attempt to get ready for a video call, only for a surprise glitter explosion to demand your immediate attention, leaving you with one perfectly made-up eye & a story to tell. It’s real, it’s messy, & it’s wonderful. You know that feeling, right? That constant pull in a million different directions?
I remember one particular day, I was launching a new mini-course & felt completely overwhelmed. The tech wasn’t working, the kids were demanding my attention, & I honestly felt like hiding under the duvet. What got me through it? I literally set a timer for 15 minutes, locked myself in the bathroom (toddler-proofed, of course!), did some deep breathing, & reminded myself of my “why” – the women I was trying to serve. Then, I broke the launch down into tiny, manageable steps. Sounds simple, right? But sometimes, those small moments of self-care & focused action are all you need to keep going.
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My journey, with academic pursuits alongside raising babies (my undergrad with my eldest, my MBA with my second, & now my PhD with my two youngest), has definitely been “slower” than someone without those beautiful responsibilities. Does it make it harder? Absolutely. But am I giving up? Not a chance. I’m still here, still learning, still growing, because I believe deeply in what I’m building & the life I’m creating. It’s about personal responsibility – owning my pace, owning my path, & making it work. There is no failure, only feedback!
This “beautiful chaos” has taught me the non-negotiable importance of robust systems to create some semblance of order, & the critical need to prioritise my own wellbeing so I have the energy to show up for it all. It’s not about achieving some mythical “perfect balance,” but about finding a sustainable rhythm that allows both my family & my business to flourish.Honestly, it’s like conducting an orchestra with toddlers as the musicians!
Forging Femmeprenista: From My Story to Our ‘Why’
Every twist, every turn, every hard-won lesson from my journey has been poured into the heart & soul of Femmeprenista. It was born from a deep desire to create the kind of support system I wished I’d had – one that’s holistic, genuinely empowering, & fiercely practical. I just didn’t want anyone else to feel like they were completely on their own.
I wanted to build a space where women like you, ambitious & juggling so much, could find not just expert strategies, but also smart systems & a profound focus on well-being. Because let’s be honest, hustle culture is a fast track to burnout, & that’s not what we’re about. *Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows (Fuel).
This led to the creation of our **Business Flourish Framework**. It’s our unique, integrated approach to helping you build a thriving business & a fulfilling life, based on five interconnected pillars:
* **Focus:** Feeling overwhelmed already? As a Foundation Builder, start by carving out just 15 minutes each day to journal & identify ONE limiting belief holding you back.
* **Flair:** Start showing up as YOU by sharing a short video on social media that tells your brand’s story and draws on your unique history.
* **Flow:** As someone just launching, implement ONE simple automation this week, like setting up canned responses for FAQs.
* **Fuel:** Schedule just 30 minutes this week for an activity that lights you up (reading a book, taking a walk, whatever brings you joy!).
* **Fusion:** Spend 30 minutes exploring ONE AI tool (like Canva AI) & brainstorm how it can streamline a task you hate.
This framework isn’t just theory; it’s built from lived experience – mine & that of countless women I’ve worked with. It’s about giving you the tools & support to build a business that truly aligns with your life. If you’re curious about how these personal lessons translate into tangible support for entrepreneurs like you, you can explore more about our services [Link to: Femmeprenista Work With Us: Empower Your Entrepreneurial Journey] & see the practical application in our framework [Link to: How We Work / The Business Flourish Framework].
Your Journey, Your Power
So, why share all this? Because I want you to know that your journey, with all its unique twists & turns, is incredibly powerful. The challenges you’ve overcome, the lessons you’ve learned, the moments you’ve wanted to throw in the towel but didn’t – those are your assets. When you own your story, embrace your imperfections, & take radical responsibility for your path, you unlock a strength you might not even realise you have.
It’s not about waiting for the “perfect” moment or having all the answers. It’s about taking smart, responsible action, even when it’s scary. It’s about being resilient, learning from every stumble, & remembering that you *can* build a fulfilling business & a life you love, even amidst the “beautiful chaos.” It’s absolutely possible. Remember, as Foundation Builders, connecting with other women who GET the juggle, the tech fears, & the constant quest for more hours in the day can be a game-changer!
My story is just one story. But I hope that in its reflection, you see the power & potential in your own. Femmeprenista was forged from these very principles, & I’m so passionate about helping you forge your own path to success. & honestly? I’m still figuring out this whole “balance” thing myself – like, right now, I’m pretty sure there’s a mountain of laundry calling my name… but I’m trusting the process.
If you’d like to learn more about the overarching mission & vision behind everything we do, you can find that on our About page [Link to: About Femmeprenista].
The biggest takeaway I hope you get from this is that you are not alone, & your journey, in all its beautiful, messy glory, is valid & valuable. You are the master of your fate: You are the captain of your soul!
P.S. If any part of my story resonated with you – the juggle, the desire for something more, the non-linear path – I’d absolutely love to hear from you. The best place to connect, share, & find a community of women who truly *get it* is our free global community. You’ll find us to be a warm & welcoming bunch!
Ready to connect with like-minded female entrepreneurs & continue the conversation?
**Join Femme:Connect! [Link to: Femme:Connect Community Page]** – I can’t wait to welcome you!
Warmly,
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista
(Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
(Femmeprenista Logo Placeholder)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5’0″ tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift…
www.femmeprenista.com
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**Foundation Builder?** Learn from Carlene’s Femmeprenista journey: Own your story, embrace the “beautiful chaos” & build a thriving business!
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