What It Actually Means to Support Other Women in Business
(Spoiler: It’s Not Just About Buying Their Stuff)
Let me say this right up front: supporting other women in business is not just reposting their latest Instagram launch graphic with a 💃🏼 emoji and calling it a day.
Look, I’ve been that woman. You’ve probably been that woman. We’ve all been that woman. The well-meaning cheerleader who thinks she’s supporting her fellow sisters in business because she hit “like” on a post or tossed a “you go girl” into the void of the comment section. But real support? It goes deeper than that. Sometimes it’s messy. Sometimes it’s inconvenient. And honestly, sometimes it’s just plain awkward. But it’s also where the magic happens.
Because here’s the truth that nobody really says out loud: we’re not always great at supporting each other.
We’re told to, sure. But we’ve also been conditioned—subtly, sneakily, over decades—not to. We’ve been taught to compete. To compare. To feel like someone else’s success shrinks our own chances. And undoing that wiring? It’s not a one-and-done deal. It’s a practice. It’s a choice. And it’s a muscle we’ve got to keep working if we want it to stay strong.
So let’s talk about what supporting other women in business really looks like—beyond the surface stuff. And while we’re at it, let’s ditch the fluff and get into the real, honest, imperfect, glorious work of uplifting each other.
First: Let’s Kill the Myth That There’s Not Enough to Go Around
Here’s where we have to start: there is no such thing as “not enough.” Not enough clients. Not enough money. Not enough seats at the table.
That’s a lie from the scarcity gremlins, and they need to be kicked out of the clubhouse.
Every time we believe that another woman’s success somehow subtracts from ours, we’re drinking the poison of patriarchal capitalism. Harsh? Maybe. But it’s true. That mindset doesn’t just hurt us—it isolates us. It makes us suspicious, bitter, competitive in a way that drains us. And honestly? It’s exhausting.
We need more women winning. Period. Because when one of us rises, she builds the scaffolding for others to climb. That’s not a slogan. It’s real. I’ve seen it happen over and over in retreats, in business masterminds, in those “late-night-on-the-last-night” chats where someone finally lets down the armor and says, “I didn’t think I could do this.” And then someone else says, “You can. And I’ll help.”
That’s the whole game.
So, What Does Support Actually Look Like?
Okay, let’s get practical. If supporting other women in business isn’t just sharing posts or buying their candles (although hey, please do buy the candles), what does it look like?
Here are a few real ways to do it:
1. Make Introductions
Know someone who’s looking for a wellness coach, a financial planner, a brand designer, a travel consultant? Connect them with your girl. Even better: send an email or text that says, “Hey, I thought of you two. You need to know each other.”
That kind of referral is GOLD.
And don’t underestimate your power here. You don’t have to be Beyoncé to make impactful intros. Sometimes the smallest connection leads to the biggest break.
2. Celebrate Loudly, Without Jealousy
This one stings a little, right? We want to be happy for her new six-figure launch or speaking gig or book deal, but sometimes that old insecurity monster whispers, “Why not me?”
You’re allowed to feel it. But don’t let it rule you. Breathe it out. Then choose to cheer. Loudly. Genuinely. Because her win? It’s proof that it's possible. It’s evidence that the dream is not ridiculous.
3. Buy From Her When You Can
Yes, money matters. It’s not everything, but it helps keep the lights on and the kids fed and the business alive. If your friend has a service or product that aligns with your needs, support her with your dollars—not just your “likes.”
And if you’re not in a place to spend? Write a review. Share a link. Talk her up to your network. Show her she’s not building alone.
4. Hold Space, Not Just Praise
Sometimes support looks like listening. Without advice. Without fixing. Just being there when another woman is spiraling over her pricing, or crying after a client ghosted her, or doubting whether she’s cut out for this.
I’ve been that woman, mid-breakdown, holding back tears while pretending to “just be tired.” If you’ve got someone like that in your circle? Be the one who doesn’t look away.
5. Talk About Money, Strategy, and the Real Stuff
One of the best things I ever did was join a group of women who talked honestly about what was happening in their businesses. No more pretending. No more “I’ll tell you later” evasions. I had never experienced that before–and still wish I had another group just like that one that i could show up to each month.
When we share our numbers, our wins, our screw-ups, our systems—it lifts everyone up. Normalize transparency. Normalize collaboration. Hoarding wisdom helps no one.
Supporting Other Women Isn’t Always Convenient—But It’s Always Worth It
Let me tell you a story.
A few years ago, I was leading a retreat (shocking, I know), and one of the women—a total powerhouse—was having a meltdown on Day 2. Not the kind of meltdown that you Instagram. The ugly kind. The “I think I made a mistake in my marriage and I need to burn it all down” kind.
I had a million things to do. A schedule to stick to. A yoga class to lead in 20 minutes. But I sat with her. We went off-script. We canceled some things. And you know what?
She told me later it changed everything.
She ended up leaning into her vulnerability, taking steps towards healing, and stepping into the kind of confidence that was honestly hard to watch because she made it look so effortless.
But it wasn’t effortless. It came from being seen. Supported. Held.
That’s the kind of support I’m here to offer in my business. Not the cute kind. The real kind. The kind that says, “You don’t have to pretend here.” The kind that builds trust, not just follower counts.
Why It Matters (Especially If You’re Over 40)
Let’s get brutally honest here: the world hasn’t exactly trained women over 40 to believe in their next act.
We’ve been told our best ideas should’ve happened already. That we should quiet down, settle in, let someone younger take the stage. To that I say—respectfully—hell no.
Now is the time we know who we are. We’ve got experience. Clarity. Grit. But we also need community. Encouragement. Permission to try again, even if we’re scared. Especially if we’re scared.
Supporting women in business, especially women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond, isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a revolution. And if we don’t lead it, who will?
Let’s Build Something Bigger—Together
So here’s the ask: next time you’re wondering how to support another woman in business, don’t just ask “what can I do?”
Ask: What would I want someone to do for me?
And then? Do that.
Because when we lift each other up, we don’t just change businesses. We change lives. We change families. We change legacies.
If this kind of support—the real, deep, messy kind—resonates with you, then we’ve got a lot more to talk about.
I send out a regular-ish newsletter that’s full of honest thoughts, business tips, retreat inspiration, and behind-the-scenes stories from women doing incredible things (and sometimes failing gloriously along the way)--and I am creating some in-person events where women can connect IRL.
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We’re building a new kind of business community. One where no woman rises alone.
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