Now more than ever before, establishing who YOU are and your self-worth - is crucial to your business. It doesn’t matter whether your goal is to make more money or make a difference (or both): if you aren’t working on you - your personal brand, you are missing out.

But for women in home based businesses, or otherwise, branding ourselves is especially important.

That’s because many of us aren’t standing in our value nearly enough. We take a back seat, settle, or give in to others far too much. And … that leads to earning, experiencing and enjoying far less than we should. Maybe we’re not asking for the sale enough, doubting ourselves, or stuck in playing the comparison game in our minds.

And this does nothing to set an example for the women who come after us. Truth is, it just keeps the cycle going. It’s ugly. And we can do something about it.

In my own work as an entrepreneur, I have seen with my own eyes how women don’t see their own value nearly enough—and their self-worth is just non-existent. It’s heart breaking really. But I chose not to stand by and watch it happen - starting with myself.

Confident Women don’t Analyze ‘if they do’. They decide ‘they do’

People with high self-esteem believe they are worthy and don’t question how someone feels about them or their business. They know that they are good, competent, and the real deal. And, they trust that the right prospects, clients or customers for them will see this. They don’t attach their worth to what someone else thinks and, as a result, don’t feel stressed and anxious when something is unclear.

Instead, they assume they do and are able to be present in the business relationship and enjoy it without being weighed down by fears and doubts.

Confident Women set Healthy Boundaries

Healthy personal boundaries and high self-worth go hand in hand. Having strong boundaries means you prioritize your needs and do not assume responsibility for someone else’s needs. This allows us to be empathetic but to a degree it hurts own own well-being.

Self-worth is knowing what they will and will not accept and don’t allow themselves to be pressured or guilted into doing things they don’t want to do. This may parallel romantic relationships in a lot of ways — and this isn’t by accident.

They act in accordance with who they are and what they believe and don’t cater their behavior for anyone. Now, let’s not get this confused with adhering to what our customers or clients need and want. It solely means we value ourselves enough that it will not be compromised in business.

When you have weak boundaries, you may sell yourself out and put up with treatment that you know is objectively unacceptable. Confident people don’t abandon parts of themselves in order to have something - especially anything monetary.

A woman with healthy boundaries will not lose herself in others, and will not allow her identity to be entirely dependent upon how someone sees her. She will continue to maintain her own life with her friends, hobbies, or alone time. She won’t abandon important parts of herself. That is true self-worth. And I know too many lady entrepreneurs losing themselves here.

Here are Things you can do Starting Today to Increase your Self-Worth

1. Identify how you want others to know you (singer, digital marketer, beautician, graphic artist, etc.)

2. Be intentional about your ideal clients.

3. Network with others who you want to spend time with, aspire to be or those you can learn from.

4. Self-care goes without saying (good book, bubble bath, manicures, etc.)

We all know that women in corporate positions, earn less on average than men. But, a lady entrepreneur and business owner — especially one who provides professional services, is in a unique position to set her own rates. 

Ask for what you're worth.

Don’t waiver or apologize when you’re not the best bargain around either. Don’t allow your worth to be negotiable. If price is their most important consideration (over quality), and they can find someone else who will work cheaper …

… tell them to go for it, but remember that they will get what they pay for. This is often when we see clients or customers circle back around with a less than favorable story or experience.

You certainly don’t have to be rude or dismissive in your approach. But you also shouldn’t back down from your worth.

Love yourself - it’s the best love you will ever have.

Join Sparkle Unleashed or more tips, guidance and support at SparkleUnleashedCommunity.com. Or connect with Jennifer Stroman on Facebook!