Why Women Entrepreneurs Must Stop Playing Small with Their Finances

Many women entrepreneurs are brilliant, talented, and hardworking, yet too many struggle financially—not because they aren’t capable of earning more, but because they play small with their finances.

Women are starting businesses at record rates, but studies show that women-owned businesses earn less revenue on average than male-owned businesses. Why? It’s not because women lack the skills or work ethic. It’s often because they:

🚫 Undervalue their work
🚫 Avoid financial risks and investments
🚫 Feel uncomfortable discussing money
🚫 Don’t set aggressive income goals

If you want to build financial freedom and long-term success, you must stop playing small with your finances. This article will break down why women hold back financially, how it impacts their businesses, and practical strategies to step into financial power.

Why Women Entrepreneurs Tend to Play Small Financially

Women have every opportunity to create wealth, yet many still hesitate to fully claim it. The reasons are often deeply ingrained:

1. Society Teaches Women to Be “Humble” About Money

From a young age, women are often taught:

“Don’t be greedy.”
“You should be grateful for what you have.”
“Money doesn’t buy happiness.”

While gratitude is important, these messages subconsciously condition women to fear ambition. Instead of actively pursuing financial growth, they downplay their money goals or hesitate to ask for more.

2. Fear of Being Seen as “Too Ambitious”

Women are often criticized for wanting more money in ways that men are not. A man who aggressively pursues financial success is seen as driven and strategic, while a woman doing the same is sometimes labeled as “money-hungry” or “selfish.”

This fear of judgment can make women hesitate to raise prices, negotiate contracts, or expand their businesses.

3. Women Undervalue Their Work

Many women underprice their services or avoid raising rates out of fear of losing clients. They assume:

“If I charge more, no one will pay.”
“I don’t want to come off as greedy.”
“I’m not experienced enough to charge premium prices.”

Yet, men are far more likely to charge what they believe they’re worth—whether or not they are actually more experienced.

4. Fear of Financial Risk

Many women avoid financial risks, preferring stability. While caution is wise, too much risk-aversion can limit financial growth.

They hesitate to invest in business tools, courses, or employees.
They don’t put money into assets like stocks, real estate, or business expansions.
They avoid debt completely, even when strategic debt could help scale their business.

Men, on the other hand, take calculated risks that allow them to scale faster.

5. Lack of Financial Education & Confidence

Women are often not taught about investing, profit margins, taxes, or business finances in the same way men are. This leads to financial hesitation because they feel like they don’t know enough.

The result? Women entrepreneurs:
❌ Avoid looking at their numbers
❌ Leave financial decisions to others
❌ Miss out on wealth-building opportunities

But here’s the truth: Financial literacy is a learnable skill. You don’t need to be a finance expert—you just need to take control.

The Cost of Playing Small With Your Finances

If you keep playing small with money, it will directly impact your business and long-term financial future.

1. You Work Harder but Earn Less

Underpricing means you have to take on more clients just to make ends meet.
Instead of focusing on scaling, you stay stuck in trading time for money.

2. You Miss Out on Business Growth Opportunities

Fear of investing in better tools, marketing, or employees means you stay stuck at the same level.
Instead of scaling efficiently, you overwork yourself trying to do everything alone.

3. You Attract Clients Who Don’t Value You

Low prices attract low-quality clients.
High-paying clients respect your expertise and don’t haggle.

4. You Never Build True Wealth

Playing small means you only focus on covering monthly bills, instead of building generational wealth.
Without investments or savings, you stay in financial survival mode instead of creating financial freedom.

It’s time to change this cycle.

How to Start Thinking Bigger with Money

If you’re ready to step into financial confidence, here are practical steps to help you start playing BIG financially.

1. Set Bigger Income Goals (And Own Them!)

Instead of saying “I just want to make enough to be comfortable”, set a bold income goal.
Write down:
- “I will make $10K/month consistently by [date].”
- “I will generate $250K in revenue this year.”
Own your financial goals instead of downplaying them.

👉 Action Step: Write down your next-level financial goal and set a timeline to achieve it.

2. Raise Your Prices (Yes, Right Now!)

If you’ve been undercharging, it’s time to increase your rates.

Look at industry pricing and make sure you’re not undervaluing yourself.
If your prices haven’t changed in over a year, raise them immediately.
Don’t apologize for charging more—own it.

👉 Action Step: Increase your prices by at least 20-30% starting next month.

3. Start Investing in Growth

Stop treating your business like a side hustle—treat it like a company that deserves investment.

💰 Invest in tools that save time.
💰 Hire help so you can scale.
💰 Take courses that improve your financial literacy.

The best entrepreneurs spend money to make money.

👉 Action Step: Identify one strategic investment you need to make in your business and commit to it.

4. Stop Apologizing for Making Money

You don’t owe anyone an apology for being financially successful.

💡 Wealth gives you freedom, security, and power to help others.
💡 Making money allows you to support your family, donate to causes, and grow your impact.

👉 Action Step: Write down 3 ways making more money will help you improve your life and others’ lives.

5. Learn to Manage & Multiply Money

Earning more money is great—but keeping and growing it is even better.

💰 Learn how to invest (stocks, real estate, retirement funds).
💰 Track your income and expenses every week.
💰 Set up automated savings and investments.

👉 Action Step: Start by reading a finance book or taking a money course.

Recommended Books:
📖 Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach
📖 The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
📖 We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers

Final Thoughts: Stop Playing Small—Start Building Wealth

You deserve to be financially successful. Stop playing small. Start thinking bigger, charging more, and building lasting wealth.

🚀 Your next steps:
✅ Set bigger financial goals
✅ Raise your prices immediately
✅ Start investing in business & personal wealth
✅ Learn how to multiply money

💡 Which financial habit are you working on first? Drop a comment below! 👇

Leeah Murray Digital Marketing Strategist

Leeah Murray is a Creatologist™ and digital strategist at Meraki & Co, specializing in brand development, WordPress expertise, and strategic marketing. With 15+ years of experience, she helps small businesses, coaches, and entrepreneurs grow their online presence through purpose-driven digital marketing solutions. Her passion for digital creation began in childhood, experimenting with MS Paint and coding, leading her to freelance website design at 19. This entrepreneurial spirit evolved into her own digital agency, where she now delivers custom marketing strategies, WordPress optimization, and content marketing to drive measurable results. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Leeah works remotely with clients across industries, leveraging SEO, social media, and data-driven insights to maximize online visibility. She values clear communication, collaboration, and storytelling, helping brands build authentic connections and customer loyalty. If you're looking to elevate your digital presence, connect with Leeah to transform your brand and achieve online success.

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