Just Be You
Jo Rawald • December 27, 2024
Embrace Your Authenticity and Build a Business That Feels Like Home
In a world constantly telling us who we should be, it is easy to forget the power of just being ourselves. As women business owners, the pressure to fit into a certain mold, to do things a certain way, or to match someone else’s version of success can be overwhelming. But here’s the truth – your greatest asset in business and life is your authenticity. Your unique perspective, your story, and your voice are exactly what make you extraordinary.
Being yourself is not just a feel-good mantra. It is a proven strategy for success. When you embrace who you are and what you bring to the table, you attract the right clients, build stronger relationships, and create a business that aligns with your values. The key is understanding that being you is more than enough – it is your superpower.
Stop Chasing Perfection
One of the biggest hurdles many women face is the trap of perfectionism. We think we need to have the perfect website, the perfect pitch, or the perfect product before we can show up and make an impact. The truth is perfection is an illusion. The real magic happens when you show up as your authentic self – flaws, quirks, and all.
Your clients are not looking for perfection. They are looking for someone they can trust, someone who understands their challenges, and someone who can deliver results. When you stop chasing perfection and start showing up as you, you create genuine connections that matter. People do not connect with perfect. They connect with real.
Your Story is Your Strength
Every woman entrepreneur carries a story that is uniquely her own. The challenges you’ve faced, the lessons you’ve learned, and the triumphs you’ve earned shape not just who you are but how you connect with others. Your story isn’t just a part of you—it’s your greatest strength.
For me, resilience is the backbone of my journey. Growing up with a Spanish father who battled alcoholism and a Chinese mother who barely spoke English yet worked tirelessly to provide for us, I learned what grit and determination look like. My mother worked long hours—assembling eyeglasses by day and waitressing by night—her relentless work ethic left an imprint on me that shaped my own.
At 18, I left home, eloped, and balanced college while raising two kids. Life threw more than its share of curveballs. At 29, a devastating car accident left me with severe injuries, including brain trauma and memory loss. Later, I faced the heartbreak of losing my mother to suicide and navigating my children’s life-altering diagnoses. Add in an abusive relationship, and the road was anything but smooth. Each challenge could have broken me, but instead, they built an unshakable resolve.
Now, I dedicate my life to helping women business owners, inspired by my mother’s struggles and sacrifices. The resilience she passed down fuels my passion for empowering others.
When you share your journey, you invite others to see the person behind the business. Vulnerability fosters connection, and authenticity builds trust. People won’t just see you as a business owner—they’ll see someone who understands, someone who has walked through fire and come out stronger, someone who can lead them toward their goals.
Your story holds power. Share it. Be real, be raw, and let it remind the world what makes you extraordinary. Your truth is the heartbeat of your business, the foundation of your strength, and the spark that will inspire others to embrace their own.
Define Success on Your Terms
As women business owners, it is easy to get caught up in the comparison game. We see others hitting milestones or growing their businesses at lightning speed, and it can make us question whether we are doing enough. But here is the thing – success is not a one-size-fits-all concept.
Success looks different for everyone, and it is up to you to define what it means for your life and your business. Maybe it is hitting a specific revenue goal, or maybe it is having the flexibility to spend more time with your family. Whatever it is, own it. Stop chasing someone else’s definition of success and start living your own.
When you align your goals with your values, you create a business that feels fulfilling and sustainable. That is the kind of success that truly matters.
Build Your Business Around Your Strengths
One of the best ways to lean into who you are is to build your business around your strengths. What are you naturally good at? What lights you up? What do your clients rave about? These are the clues that point to your unique brilliance.
When you focus on your strengths, you are not only more effective, but you also enjoy what you do. That joy and passion are contagious, and they will attract the right clients to your business. So stop trying to be good at everything and start doubling down on what makes you shine.
Say No to What Doesn’t Align
To be honest, this is the area I personally struggle with the most. Learning to say no has been one of the hardest lessons for me, but it’s also been one of the most transformative. Last year, I had to make one of the toughest decisions of my career. I resigned from a job I absolutely loved—traveling the country six days a week, working with incredible people, and doing work that truly lit me up. But the truth was, it came at a cost. The constant travel was taking a toll on my body and my sanity.
In December 2023, I made the hard choice to walk away and prioritize my health and well-being. Saying no to that role wasn’t easy, but it gave me the space to build something even better. By early 2024, I had launched my own coaching business, and I can genuinely say I love the life I’ve created. Setting boundaries gave me the freedom to align my work with my values and to create a life that feels fulfilling, sustainable, and true to who I am.
As women, we often feel the pressure to say yes to everything—to every opportunity, every client, every project—and to keep everyone around us happy. But the truth is, constantly saying yes can lead to burnout, resentment, and a life that doesn’t feel like our own. Boundaries are not just about protecting your time. They’re about making sure your energy is spent on what truly matters and supports the life you want to live.
Saying no is not about closing doors. It’s about opening the right ones. Every no you say creates space for a yes to something better. Trust that when you align your choices with your values and goals, the right opportunities will find you.
So, let’s make peace with saying no when it’s necessary. It’s not always easy, but it’s a powerful way to honor your authenticity and prioritize your well-being. Remember, your boundaries are what allow you to build a life and business you truly love.
Surround Yourself with Support
Running a business can feel isolating at times, but it does not have to be. Surround yourself with people who uplift, inspire, and challenge you to grow. Whether it is a mentor, a coach, or a community of like-minded women, having a support system makes all the difference.
When you have people in your corner who believe in you, it is easier to believe in yourself. They will remind you of your strengths, celebrate your wins, and help you navigate the challenges. You do not have to do this alone.
Take the Next Step with Confidence
Being yourself is not about staying in your comfort zone. It is about showing up as the best version of you and taking bold, intentional steps toward your goals. Confidence comes from action, and the more you embrace who you are, the more confident you will feel.
If you have been waiting for the right moment to start or to level up, consider this your sign. The time is now, and you already have everything you need within you to succeed. Take the next step, even if it feels scary. You are stronger and more capable than you realize.
You’ve Got This
Building a business as a woman entrepreneur is not always easy, but it is always worth it. When you embrace your authenticity and show up as you, you create something powerful – a business that reflects your heart, your values, and your vision.
So here is your permission slip to let go of the pressure to be anything other than who you are. Just be you. That is more than enough. In fact, it is your greatest advantage.
If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, increase your profits, and truly live the American Dream of being a successful business owner – let’s connect. I offer a free 20-minute discovery Zoom where we can chat about your goals and create a customized plan to help you thrive.
Schedule your free discovery call today and let’s get started.
You have what it takes to achieve incredible success, and I am here to help you every step of the way.
I went to a networking event yesterday at Rosie’s Bar & Grill in Wilton Manors. Tropical-chic to the max. You know the kind of place - upscale casual, strong cocktails, mandatory valet. Now usually, I’m all about valet. But not yesterday. I wasn’t there to sip martinis or hang around all night. I could only stay for 20-minutes. That means - I was on a serious 20-minute mission: say hi, shake hands, peace out. Then, get back in my car to jump on a Zoom meeting! I certainly wasn’t about to drop $20 just to park my car for 20 minutes. No way! I pulled into the valet area, looked the guy dead in the eye, and said, “I’ll be in and out faster than your last relationship. Can I just park it right here?” And bless his heart - he said yes. Honestly, that should’ve been my win for the night. But then I met Sean Gac-Guerrier. Sean’s the Marketing Director at Excel Title, Inc. We started talking about dogs - and **cue the angels singing. We clicked instantly. Not two strangers meeting, more like two childhood friends who hadn’t seen each other in a decade! Sean showed me a photo of his dog, Dottie. I pulled out pics of my girl, Adelaide. Then he pulled out a photo of Dottie that stopped me in my tracks. Sean had a photo of what Dottie would look like as a human. Not a cartoon. Not a filter. I’m talking AI-generated, fully humanized, real-world, cardigan-wearing, intelligent-and-intimidating Dottie. I was mesmerized! It was as if Pixar and the FBI teamed up to design her. I looked at Adelaide’s pic… then looked back at Sean… and blurted out, “I need to humanize my dog!!” And I did. I went home, found the exact AI prompt, uploaded Adelaide’s photo, answered a few fun questions about her personality, and style - then… BOOM. Human Adelaide was born. Tall, lean, cozy-chic, with that unmistakable “don’t-mess-with-me-but-I’ll-still-hug-you” vibe. She looked like she ran Homeland Security and still had time for tacos and espresso martinis on a rooftop. Honestly? I stared at the image for like five minutes. Because it wasn’t just about making something cute. It was about seeing something familiar - something you know - come to life in a new way. Here’s the AI Prompt if you want to try it yourself:
Your business is not a side dish. It’s the main course—and it deserves to be treated like one. In this no-BS blog, I’m calling out “leftover” business strategies that leave women entrepreneurs stuck, stressed, and scaling in all the wrong ways. Discover how to build a business that’s bold, sustainable, and built to outlast trends using my BAMBOO Framework.
Too many women are stuck in the hustle—working nonstop, solving the same problems, and barely seeing the return.
You didn’t start your business to burn out. You started it to break free.
If you’re ready to ditch the stress and build a business that actually pays you back, this is your moment.
Join me LIVE in South Florida at Brains, Brilliance & Bold Moves—where I’ll show you how to scale smart, simplify your systems, and make way more money doing less.
🍷 Dinner, wine, and your profit breakthrough: www.jorawald.com/Brains-Brilliance-and-Bold-Moves
If your business feels like a tornado of to-do lists, dropped balls, and duct-taped systems… it’s not just exhausting—it’s expensive.
Chaos costs you time, clarity, and cold hard cash.
This blog is your wake-up call:
🛠️ Simplify your operations
💸 Stop bleeding profit
📈 Build a business that works for you
Read it. Apply it. Start making smart money moves →
👉 https://siteeditor.thryv.com/home/site/c8e9f361/blog/if-your-business-feels-like-a-hot-mess-its-costing-you-money#preview
You’re not charging too much. You’re not “bad at sales.”
You’re just leaving money on the table—and this blog breaks down exactly how to stop.
If you’re underpricing, over-delivering, or relying on guesswork to grow… you’re leaking profit.
Let’s fix that.
I’m giving you the tools to:
💰 Price like a pro
📊 Package for profit
🎯 Sell with strategy
Read it, bookmark it, share it with your business BFFs →
👉 www.jorawald.com/youre-leaving-money-on-the-table-lets-fix-that
The right clients are watching—but do they actually know what you do?
If your messaging is vague, cute, or confusing, you’re basically invisible.
This blog is your wake-up call to get crystal clear, magnetic, and straight-up undeniable.
You’ll learn how to:
🧲 Attract the right people (without chasing)
📢 Clarify your offer
👑 Show up as the go-to expert in your space
Because your next client isn’t on the fence—they’re just unsure if you are the answer. Fix that here →
👉 www.jorawald.com/the-right-clients-should-be-coming-to-you-theyre-watching-but-do-they-know-what-you-do
One Zoom call. That’s all it took to blow up how I coach—and rebuild it into something way more powerful.
If you’re overcomplicating your client process, trying to “do it all,” or feel like coaching is starting to drain you… this blog is your game-changer.
Inside, I break down:
🔥 The shift that simplified everything
🎯 How I get faster results (without burning out)
💡 What most coaches get totally wrong
If you’re a coach or service provider who’s doing the most and getting the least—read this NOW.
👉 www.jorawald.com/this-one-zoom-call-changed-how-i-coached-forever
If your business isn’t making money… it’s not a business. It’s an expensive, exhausting hobby.
This blog is for the women out here grinding, posting, perfecting—but still not profiting.
It’s time to change that.
Inside, I cover:
💰 Why profit has to come first
🛠️ What to fix if your sales are flat
🎯 How to stop playing business and start running one
This one’s a tough-love truth bomb—with the strategy to back it up.
👉 www.jorawald.com/if-your-business-isnt-making-money-you-have-an-exhausting-hobby
They’re dyeing rivers green for attention—and you’re still “hoping” someone sees your post?
Nope. Not in this business.
Visibility isn’t optional. If you're not making waves, you're not getting paid.
This blog dives into why playing small is costing you BIG and how to show up like a brand that actually wants to win.
Inside, I break down:
🌊 Visibility vs. volume
🎯 Making moves that matter
💡 Building brand authority (without gimmicks)
Your audience is watching—what are you showing them?
👉 www.jorawald.com/they-re-dyeing-rivers-green-what-are-you-doing
Sometimes the best business lessons don’t come from a boardroom—they show up at the dog park.
This blog unpacks a real-life moment with my pup that exposed something big:
Too many women entrepreneurs are overthinking, under-trusting, and second-guessing their own power.
Here’s what I realized (and what you need to hear):
🐾 Your instincts are an asset
🧠 Overanalyzing kills momentum
👑 Leadership starts with self-trust
Don’t miss this one—it’s a mindset reset wrapped in fur.
👉 www.jorawald.com/the-lesson-i-didnt-expect-at-the-dog-park