Breaking the Mold: My Biggest Frustrations as a Woman in Business (& Why I’m Done Apologizing for Them)
Let’s be real, being a woman in business is no cakewalk—especially when you’re running your own agency or trying to make a name for yourself in an industry that traditionally hasn’t taken you seriously. It’s like being handed a complex, impossible-to-follow recipe, and then being told you don’t have the ingredients (or the expertise) to pull it off. Spoiler alert: I do, and so do you.
As a woman who has gone from marketing director at a hospitality group to owning my own agency, I’ve seen it all—from being underestimated because of my gender to juggling a million different hats. And it’s time we talk about the real frustrations that women in business, especially millennial women, face every day. If you’ve ever been told to “be nicer” when you’re just speaking your mind, or struggled to gain recognition for your expertise, this one’s for you.
Not Being Taken Seriously: No, I Actually Do Know What I’m Doing
One of the biggest frustrations I’ve faced, especially when I first started my agency, is the constant battle of having to prove that I actually know what I’m doing.
When I was the marketing director of a hospitality group, I had this exact issue. I was young and female—which, apparently, in some people’s eyes, was the equivalent of being under-qualified. Despite single-handedly turning the company’s financials around (you know, just casually getting the company back into the black), people still questioned my ability. They’d look at me like, “She’s young, she can’t possibly know what she’s doing.” Excuse me, did you miss the part where I worked 14 - 16 hour days trying to save the company?
Why It’s Frustrating:
Because no one should have to constantly prove their expertise just because they’re young or female. The assumption that women, especially young women, can’t be experts in their field is beyond outdated—and yet, here we are.
My Response:
These days, I don’t have time to prove myself to people who don’t respect my abilities. If my experience, results, and strategy aren’t enough for you, you’re not my client. Period.
Not Gaining Recognition for My Expertise: Where’s the Credit?
I’ve built my marketing agency from the ground up, and along the way, I’ve seen just how hard it is for women to get the recognition they deserve. Whether it was in my corporate days as a marketing director or now as an agency owner, I’ve often found that my contributions were either ignored or underappreciated.
In the hospitality industry, I would bring game-changing ideas to the table and execute campaigns that drove measurable success. That was just expected of me. Meanwhile, if a male colleague presented a similar idea, you’d think he just reinvented the wheel.
Why It’s Frustrating:
It’s frustrating because it’s a constant uphill battle to be seen and heard in a room where your voice is automatically assumed to be softer. You put in the same effort (often more), but when it comes time to acknowledge contributions, your name is conveniently missing.
My Response:
These days, I’m done waiting for validation. I’ve built my own table, and if you’re not willing to give me credit, I’ll take it myself. I make sure my work speaks for itself—and I no longer allow clients, colleagues, or anyone else to take credit where it’s due to me.
Balancing Business with Household “Tasks”: Because I’m Still Expected to Do It All
Here’s a fun one: juggling the responsibility of running a business while also being expected to manage all the household “tasks” that are often still associated with women. You know what I’m talking about—dishes, laundry, keeping the house from falling into chaos. The mental load is real. Even in 2024, the idea that women are somehow responsible for both the success of their career and the upkeep of the household is still alive and well.
Why It’s Frustrating:
Because it’s an invisible burden that never goes away. The reality is that running a business requires more than just your 9-to-5—it’s a constant hustle. Add “household manager” to that, and suddenly, you’re running two full-time operations.
My Response:
I’ve had to learn to let go of perfection when it comes to the house. It doesn’t need to be Pinterest-worthy 24/7. My focus is on my business, and if that means outsourcing some household tasks, so be it. I’m allowed to prioritize my career—and so are you.
Clients Expecting Me to Be “Nice”: Why Being Direct is Not a Flaw
Let me tell you something: I’m not in the business of sugarcoating. If I’m being paid for my expertise, you’re going to get my honest opinion, and if I have to argue with you about strategy, I will. But for some reason, as a woman, I’m expected to be “nice” all the time, even when the situation calls for a little bluntness.
People often confuse directness with rudeness. But guess what? My no-nonsense approach is why my clients get results. I’m not here to coddle feelings—I’m here to move the needle.
Why It’s Frustrating:
Men are often praised for being direct and assertive. Women? We get labeled as difficult, rude, or “too much” when we do the same thing. It’s like the world still expects us to smile while we’re managing multi-million dollar campaigns.
My Response:
I’ve stopped apologizing for being blunt. If I have to disagree with a client for their benefit, I will. Clients hire me for results, not for sugar-coated strategies that won’t work. My approach gets things done—and that’s what matters.
Embracing the Frustrations
Being a woman in business isn’t easy, and it comes with its fair share of frustrations. But the truth is, these challenges have only made me more determined to prove that women can (and do) excel in industries that have traditionally tried to keep us out. We’re reshaping the narrative, and we’re not afraid to push back on outdated expectations.
And if you’re feeling some of these same frustrations, just know you’re not alone—and you don’t have to take it. Build your table, own your expertise, and stop waiting for permission to be blunt.