299: What Are Your Biggest Challenges As A Female Entrepreneur?

One of the most challenging things as a female entrepreneur, I think that this is for any entrepreneur is just not knowing where to start and not feeling like you are smart enough. I think is always a huge thing for an entrepreneur because you're always creating something new and it's always changing.

Welcome to the Earn your Happy podcast. I'm Lori Harder, founder of The Bliss Project, 3 Time Fitness World champion, fitness expert and cover model, turned self love GI junkie, lifestyle entrepreneur and author.

Each week I'll bring you a guest or a thought that will help you.

Bust through your fears, connect to your soul and get focused and clear so you can elevate your life, business and relationships. We don't wait until we're ready for someone to tell us we're good enough. We take what we want and we anoint ourselves, get ready to earn, own and unapologetically rock your happiness every single day. Are you with me?

Here we go. Welcome back, everyone, to another episode of our question and answer day with Lori. That is me and Evans. That is her. We're so excited that you guys have tuned in to another Q and A day and we want to start off first of all with our review. Review of the week. So who do we have that has shouted us out and done an awesome review that we can send an. I don't even know what we're going to send.

It's going to be a surprise.

Yeah, it's going to be a surprise gift. But who is our review of the week?

Their name is C.M. villeneuve. I probably didn't pronounce that right, but they said I stumbled across this podcast completely by accident on itunes. I was in the darkest place I had been in a long time and just gave it a shot. I sat at my desk in tears because I felt like Lori was speaking, speaking right to me. I never imagined I would be excited for Mondays, but each new episode brings my soul so much peace. I laugh, I cry, I am challenged, and I think deeply about every word I am left with after. After listening to Earn your happy, there's something for every woman on this podcast and you will not be sorry you gave Lori a shot.

Oh, my gosh. Okay, CM Maneuve. We're probably saying that wrong. Thank you so much for that beautiful review. And I will say, I don't believe anything is an accident.

Nope.

And I believe that when the student is seeking, the teacher appears. And that has so happened throughout my entire life is the minute I start seeking, it's like that perfect thing is coming into my space. As long as I'm staying open, so that's really huge. Is. Just stay so open. So we will be sending you a surprise gift because we've got some fun stuff that we can't wait to send out. So thank you for the review of the week. Yay. And before we get started on our questions. Okay. Evans and I have first of all chosen our favorite quote. Yep. And when we say favorite quote, we mean favorite quote for this very moment of how we feel. Because this by no means is my favorite quote at all.

Just right now.

Just for right now. So what quote did you pick? And why is this something that you're feeling right now?

Ooh. I chose a quote by Brene Brown because I love her. And it is. You can choose courage or you can choose comfort. You cannot have both.

Oh, my God.

And I just thought that was one of those quotes you just need to hear every now and again.

Yeah. Why are you feeling that right now?

I don't. Honestly, I don't know what I need to be courageous about right now.

Yeah, we kind of did, like, a really large. Like, we just got over having to use a lot of courage just over the past few months.

Yeah.

But I just think that's a really comforting quote for moving into the new year, because you're probably. Here's how I'm speaking for you. Right.

I like it.

So speak away. Let me just tell you how you feel right now. Wow. So annoying.

Why?

I have a podcast. Exactly why?

Tell me, Lori. Tell me why.

Because I feel as though. Let me look into my crystal ball. As though while you are moving into 2019, that you probably feel a lot of expansion that is coming up into your horizon. And your horizon is like, whoa, what's happening? Yeah. You can't have both. So, you know, comfort is really, really great until it's not.

Right.

Yeah. And you know what makes comfort awesome? Your comfort zone? What? Being courageous. Ooh.

Yes, it does.

Okay, so moving on to my quote. My quote. And I don't know who said it, because nobody actually claimed it. So anyone want to claim it? Claim it. Happiness is not caring what others think of you. So basic and just so true. Because I think that I can look back through just the past year of times when I've been. When I've felt discouraged or bummed or sad. And it's because I'm caring about what other people think or I'm taking something personally.

Right.

So f. That noise. You did it. Bye. Bye.

Bye.

Okay, so questions that I wanted to ask you and you guys, Evans and I are both feeling a tiny bit under the weather, so we might possibly have some dayquil going, weird answers going on with here. Going on with here. Evans going on with here. And some people wouldn't release episodes like this, but I think these might be the best ones.

They're the most beautiful. They're like little diamonds.

They're diamonds in the rough. Okay, so, challenging question. So we have a challenging question for each other. We have a fun question for each other.

Yes.

So my challenging question for you, which I don't really. I don't think I've reached into the deep pockets of my challenge like this. This is the upper cargo pockets of a challenging question, not the lower one. So I'm letting you off easy today.

Thank you.

What is something you wish you could avoid in your life right now, but also know it's what you need? Oh, that's a really hard question.

Yeah.

Well, upper cargo pocket. Yeah.

Dang, I'm scared for the lower car.

Well, I'm going to give you another week.

Wait, what's something in my life that I need to.

That you wish you could avoid right now, but you also know it's what you need?

Maybe some family drama. You know, holiday times kind of make me a little. Make me resist a little.

Yeah.

But I know.

Right there with you. Yeah.

I think a lot of people are. But I know that you can get through it, and you need to approach it head on. You can't just hide.

Yeah. You got to eat the bundt cake one bite at a time.

That bun cake. There you go.

Oh, that's a good one. Because I am so feeling that as well. You want to reconnect, but you always know that the initial connection is like, okay, how do we do this new dance? Because you're new people every year, especially if you haven't seen your family that much and you go back and you're like, no, actually, I'm a different person now. So how do I show up in this new way with people who think I'm still the same? I think a lot of people are dealing with that. All right, fun question. If there was only one style of pizza in the entire world that you could only order for the rest of your life, what would it have to be?

Oh, is it lame? I want to say pepperoni. I love me a pepperoni pizza.

I mean, it's your choice.

Yeah, I love.

You have to eat it. I don't.

I would want pepperoni.

Okay. I think that's a good choice. Pepperoni.

Pepperoni.

I probably would have Just cheese. Just cheese pizza. Just cheese.

I love cheese.

Pepperoni can give me. Yeah. Indigestion. It can give me real bad heartburn. So if I have to eat it every night, I don't want to be like the burp ups in bed. Yeah.

Well, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

Do you want a question for me?

I would love that.

Okay. My hard question, which I think is not in one of your pockets, is what's. Well, I think I already technically asked you earlier. What are you resisting right now?

Oh, what am I resisting right now? Okay, so I'm, like, on the cusp of resistance. Cause I have one foot in and one foot out, and I know that I have to go all in. So I'm resisting. Oh, I'm resisting going all in. And in fact, I need to do a podcast about it because I know that this next year I want to explode this podcast. I want to go all in, and I'm resisting it a bit because there's so many new things that I don't know what to do with or who to talk to about it or how to grow that the way that I want to grow it. So I'm actually a bit resistant around it because there's going to be a lot of hard work. So I'm resisting going all in on the things that I want to go all in on because I know that they are going to be a lot of work.

Great answer.

Yeah. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing.

Yeah, you're welcome for sharing.

My fun question is, what was your worst haircut?

Oh, I'd probably have to say looking back. I. In fifth grade, I did this short bob, thinking that I would look good in a bob, and I just looked more like a peasant boy.

Bangs or no bangs?

No bangs.

Just straight, classic bob.

Yeah, but when you don't do anything with a bob and you just, like, sleep on it and you don't really, like, do it.

Just like me today.

Well, it's cute. No, your hair always looks good. I don't understand it. Like, is that a wig? It is a wig.

What if I took the wig off right now?

I guess I'd be surprised. Like, that is a wig, and that's a great wig. I know. I probably want to wear more wigs. Actually, you guys, for those of you who don't know, we live in Los Angeles and wigs are very popular. Like, yes. I actually have a friend who wears wigs all the time. I had no idea. And I asked her one time, I was like, how do you have Perfect pink hair one day and then platinum blonde the next day. And she's like, are you really asking me this question? These are wigs.

What? People here are so cool.

I know. I'm like, I need the wig game.

Yeah, same.

I don't know if that's.

Thank you for thinking my hair looks like a wig. That is a big compliment.

You're welcome. But for real, it's an actual thing that is, like, very popular. If you don't want to. If you want to change up your.

Hair, I think that's great.

I do, too. I think it's amazing.

Me too.

Okay, moving on to the Q and A portion from our listeners. Who is our first question from Evans?

First question is from a mill. She said, what have some of your biggest challenges been as a female entrepreneur? Also, have you always known that you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Such a great question. I can't say that I've always known I wanted to be an entrepreneur. But I will say in my early 20s, I for sure started to know I wanted to be an entrepreneur because I got a very strong feeling towards when people would tell me what to do at work. Like, I literally could not. I knew that I was supposed to be following the direction that I wanted to be following, that I wanted to be constantly creating content and putting it out in my own way or doing. At the time, it was more just like training and having my own business. So I knew right away that I just in my 20s, that I was not supposed to work for somebody else anymore. But for a while, I actually really enjoyed working for somebody else. So definitely happened in my 20s. I would say one of the most challenging things as a female entrepreneur, I think that this is for any entrepreneur is just not knowing where to start and not feeling like you are smart enough. I think is always a huge thing for an entrepreneur because you're always creating something new and it's always changing. As far as other challenges, I think that, oh, man. I mean, there's so many challenges. To be quite honest, I would say it takes longer than you think. I think the biggest challenge as an entrepreneur is like putting your team together and not realizing how long it takes to actually build the foundation of what you're building, because you don't understand what works and what doesn't yet until you try it. So I think the first round of everything is like figuring out what does and does not work. And you don't take that into. You don't take that into account. You think you can just be, like, up and running when really you're kind of figuring out what up and running even looks like and if that works. So I would say giving yourself patience and time and know that that's just how it's gonna look in the beginning is feeling so lost. And I have to be honest, like I'm, I think as an entrepreneur you're always going to feel somewhat lost 50% of the time.

Right.

So that's the challenge.

There's no blueprint.

There's no blueprint. Yeah. And you've never done it before. Yeah. And you're not the person who can do it yet.

Right. So there you go, some grace.

2026 is the year that you launch your business. It's the year that you've become the boss. You become the leader. That idea that you have that has been eating at you forever that just will not leave you alone is going to come to life. Maybe it's something that someone tells you you should always sell or a store you've already designed in your head. And with Shopify, 2026 is when you finally happen. Shopify gives you everything you need to sell online and in person. Millions of entrepreneurs have already made this leap from household name to first time business owners. Just getting started you guys. I use Shopify for glossy and I remember when they sent me my little shopping bag celebrating my 10,000 sales and I literally cried because I was so scared to take the leap. And I'm so glad that I did and that I use Shopify. It gives you all the tools to easily build your dream store. You can choose from hundreds of beautiful tempo templates that you can customize to match your brand setup is fast with Shopify's built in AI tools that write product descriptions and headlines and help you edit photos. So marketing is built into. You can create email and social campaigns that reach customers wherever they scroll. So as you grow, Shopify grows with you. You can handle more orders, expand to new markets and do it all from the Same dashboard in 2026. Stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at sh.comhappy go to shopify.comhappy that shopify.com happy hear your first cha ching this new year with Shopify by your side, too many people finish their workday feeling frustrated, drained and unfulfilled. I know that. I have experienced that myself. And the good news is it doesn't have to be this way and you don't need a new job to fix it. Patrick Lencioni, author of the five Dysfunctions of a Team and more than a dozen other bestsellers created the working genius assessment to help you pinpoint the kind of work that gives you energy, the kind that lights you up, and it also shares the kind that drains it. So over a million people, including me, have taken it and completely changed how I lead and show up every day. If you're a CEO, an entrepreneur, or someone who just wants to level up in business and in life, working genius is going to give you the clarity and confidence to operate in your strengths and find greater joy in what you do. Because confidence isn't pretending to be good at everything. It's knowing where you're truly gifted. Take the working genius assessment today and get 20% off with code earn@workinggenius.com that's working genius.com you'll be glad you did it.

Okay, we have another question. This is from Mick Mickey. Mick Jagger.

Can't believe he listens.

He loves your podcast. Mickey lawjoy. Icki lawjoy. What did she say? What has helped you the most in owning yourself, your story and moving forward, creating tribe and following your heart and dreams? What a beautiful question, Mickey.

That is an awesome question. So what has helped me the most in kind of owning who I am is basically the question?

I think so.

Really. I think finally understanding after trying to be other people and trying to speak like other people, right? Like other people, talk like other people, teach like other people, that within that, you find your own style. But the more that you almost, like, try to be like someone else, the less you come across, the less people connect with you, right? And I think the less you connect with you and the more that you can kind of look at those things and be inspired by those people, but then pull away from it for a while and try to find what your authentic voice is and what you actually like. The more that you step into your. And it feels crazy at first because you feel like you don't have anything unique to offer and you feel like you're not as special as this other person. But the more that you actually get into that space, the more people are like, you're sending out your own signal that people can actually feel and see and it's tangible for them because that's your own vibe and that's your own energy. So I think that really knowing that your magic is you being you. And the only way that I learned that was by trying to be other people. So I think that that's really interesting is what. What's helped me. I mean, just getting out there first of all. And I think that, you know, trying things like if you see something done a certain way, try it, see how it feels until you find your own thing. So, you know, I can relate it to when dancers are learning to dance. It's like they get taught by a teacher and they learn the steps and they learn a lot under their, you know, they. They learn a lot under their teacher's way of dancing. But as they start to dance more, they have to make it their own. And then it's like they're not their unique expression until they can like, learn it enough to be able to make it their own. So I guess being in the craft enough and learning enough that finally you feel like it's in you and it's yours. Like let those things that you want to do become yours. Like, know them so well that you can kind of like take your hands off the wheel and have it be.

Your own, be vulnerable.

Did. Did Vic Stakewell help answer that?

I think so. It was very poetic.

Okay, great.

I liked it. The next question. Oh, I think you're really gonna like this question. It's from MeredithTilch. I'd love to hear you talk about fashion and how that's a part of our self expression. How you pick out clothes, outfits, how your journey with your dress has been. Has been and evolved. We all have those fitting room blah stories. So I always find it interesting to hear how people separate things like clothing sizes and the struggle city it can be to a self expression journey.

Oh, man, this is so good. And first of all, Meredith Tilch.

What's up?

She actually was one of my personal training clients. So I love that you chose her, Meredith Tilch. And I. Her nickname is Mayor Bear.

My best friend's Mer Bear.

Really?

Meredith Tilts. You're my best friend.

Gonna love that. Okay. So you know, Meredith, I think this is so awesome because you were actually in the beginning of my journey. And I've always loved clothing, but I've never used it as like a form of expression. Yes, I've used it to feel good. But I will tell you, in the last few years, I had this moment probably four years ago now where I was looking back on Bliss project pictures and I was on stage and I was wearing like this baggy dress with this huge sweater over it. And literally this sweater, which I think you've seen here, has a nickname here. It's called the no sex sweater. And I have lovingly nicknamed it that because it's like just the most hideous. Like I am just warm and cozy don't touch me. I'm wearing a sleeping bag sweater. And I'm wearing that on stage in front of all of these women. And I realized that I wasn't just wearing it because I was cold. I was wearing it because I didn't want to be too much for anyone. And when I had that moment of realization for myself of why I was downplaying what I was wearing and I thought, what did I actually want to be wearing that day? And it was nothing near what I was actually wearing is because I was too worried people wouldn't be able to hear my message if I dressed the way I wanted to dress. And I thought, that's not for me to decide. It's for me to decide how I'm showing up and if my intentions are pure. But it is absolutely for me to be permissioned to be myself in order for them to be permission to be them. So the only way to give permission to other people to be themselves is for you to give permission to yourself to be you. So I started to give myself permission to wear whatever the hell I wanted, whether it was too much or too little or too sexy or not sexy, whatever that was for people. Like, I decided that I wanted to wear what I wanted to wear, and that was a huge challenge for me because what happens is you put on what you want to wear at home, and the second you leave the house, you're like, oh, my God, what am I thinking? I'm so uncomfortable. This is awful. And that's where the practice begins for me. And I still do this all of the time. Like, oh, my God, I just bought this. I guess they're called dusters, but it's like this blue, like, velvet duster that goes all the way down on the floor. And it's like, I look like Stevie Nick. Yeah, it's totally Stevie Nicks. And so while I was in the store, I was like, this is amazing. I'm Stevie Nicks. And a mix of Merlin the Magician and.

Great combo.

Yeah. And it was a stretch. It was a bit pricey. And I also knew that I had to wear it enough that I would, you know, feel like I was getting the use out of it. And so the first time I go to wear it, I'm like, you are ridiculous. What were you thinking? Like, this is so not you. And I was like, wear this. You wanted to wear this. Like, be the person who wanted to wear this and just be confident about it. And so you have to rock if you're going to wear it. You have to Rock it. So that became the practice. So, you guys, this is an actual thing. It's an actual practice. So put the outfit on and then continue to say, no, you wanted to wear this. Like, rock it. Don't feel stupid in it, or people are going to think you look stupid in it. Like, enjoy it. And it's crazy how the more that I've worn outfits like that, the more people are literally like, I want to dress like that. I want to wear stuff that's bold.

Right?

Oh, my God. I wish that I'd wear the stuff that's in the back of my closet. Closet that I'm waiting to wear. Like, just wear it, but let that be the practice for sure. So I know. I'm always trying to get you to wear crazy clothes.

Yes. You know what?

What?

I have a pink faux fur jacket, and I'm gonna wear it. It's just been sitting there.

When are you gonna wear it?

Maybe I'll wear it to work tomorrow.

You should.

Why not?

It's Santa Monica.

You can wear whatever you want.

That's what's cool about California. Yeah. If anyone's worried about what you're wearing, come to California.

Yeah. You can legit wear a furry bathrobe. And people be like, that's so awesome. Because it is. It is. And see, the only practice is if you think it's awesome is at the end of the day. That's it. So, yeah, that's actually something that I do to expand just my comfort level around me, being me and showing up more as me. Because don't get me wrong, there's a million times where I'm like, oh, my God, is this gonna be too much? And then I'm like, well, this is you, so get comfortable with it. And it's just the practice. So there you go. That's how I use clothes all the time, every day, as a practice of stepping more into me.

That's beautiful.

Well, thank you. You're welcome. That's why I. I don't know if I pay her to say that, but who knows?

I don't know. I think it's great.

She's like, that sucks. All right, you guys. Well, thank you so much for tuning in to another episode, and thank you for all of the amazing questions and the reviews we're so grateful for. You continue to send in your questions so that we can answer them every single week and shout you out. And. And for the review of the week, we always send you a cool gift. So I can't wait for you to get your gift and thanks to everyone again. And Evans, thank you. Lori thank you. Signing off.

Signing off.

Goodbye.

Thank you guys so much for spending this time with me on the earn your happy podcast. I am so glad that you stopped by. If you could take one second to share this episode with someone you think.

Would love it, that would be absolutely.

Amazing and we would be forever grateful.

Also, please leave us a review if.

You feel so moved by going to itunes and leaving us an honest thought, an honest comment.

Tell us what you think, Tell us.

What you want to hear more of.

It would really help us out on.

Our journey to helping thousands and thousands of people. Until then, don't forget to earn your happy. Thanks again guys.

Bye Bye.