Yes, You Can Do This! How Women Start Up, Scale Up, and Build The Life They Want

Chapter 7Tell a Bigger Story: Don't Apologize for Thinking Bold

What you'll take away from this chapter:

In this chapter, we'll explore the ways in which you can craft a larger story and justify that it's possible to achieve it. You'll develop skills to overcome a preemptive need to apologize and find resources to help you clearly document what you plan to do, how to get there, and feel confident along the way.

Is Your Story Big Enough for Investors?

“Jill, it's funny—I was just helping Sophie start to think through her business plan last week, and I realized that mine must have a gap in it.” Maria was curled in one of Jill's plush chairs, with a throw blanket over her lap. She was excited to have these regular meet-ups with Jill and the other women to talk through professional and personal challenges.

“What's making you think that?” Jill was very far along in her career, and was glad to be giving back by mentoring some of the younger women in the community like Maria.

“Well, remember that event that was a disaster—where I was so upset about being treated a certain way?”

“How could I forget?” Jill rolled her eyes as she recalled the challenging conversation that Maria had had at the investor event. Jill was at a stage in her career where she genuinely enjoyed helping others think more deeply about how to forge ahead. She knew that one of the strengths that experienced leaders have is pattern recognition. Over the years she'd encountered plenty of uncomfortable conversations ...