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338

 – Letting Go of the Perfect Businesswoman Myth to Build the Business You Actually Want

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Hosted by HerBusiness

On air:

11 December 2025

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There is a version of success that women in business are quietly handed… a script we’re meant to follow without question. The perfect businesswoman is polished, confident, always composed, and constantly pushing for more. She is dedicated, but not intimidating. Feminine but not weak. Ambitious but never TOO much.

And guess what?
She’s not real.

In this episode of the HerBusiness Podcast, we’re breaking down the perfect business woman myth and exploring how external expectations and internal pressure shape the way we show up in business — and what it costs.

Because success that looks good on the outside, but feels misaligned on the inside? That’s not success. It’s performance.

Here’s What You’ll Discover in this Episode: 

  • Where the myth of the perfect businesswoman comes from, and why we are subtly engrained with “should” messaging.
  • Why performative success leads to burnout, disconnection, and self-doubt (even when your business is financially thriving!)
  • The toxic external expectations that lead to comparison, and a path that chases others’ definition of success.
  • Why telling yourself you “should be” at a different point in your business and life can be detrimental to your success and happiness.
  • How to get aligned with what you actually want out of your business – and create a model that gives you alignment.
  • What happens when you stop performing for others and lead authentically.

 

 

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Mentioned in This Episode:

The HerBusiness Network

HerBusiness Podcast Episode 325
Why Putting Yourself Last is Holding Back Your Business — and How to Put Your Highest Self in Charge with Cherie Healey 

HerBusiness Podcast Episode 327
Grow Your Business Without Sacrificing Your Relationships – with Sharon Pope

Order your copy of the children’s book The Golden Gift  by Stella De Zotti
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Buy on Stella’s website

Subscribe to the HerBusiness podcast:

For more stories of remarkable women entrepreneurs, subscribe to the HerBusiness Podcast.

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About the host

Suzi Dafnis

Hi there. I’m Suzi Dafnis, CEO at HerBusiness. My BIG passion is helping women business owners to grow and scale their business, so that they can create their ideal lifestyle and make a difference in the world. Every day I am inspired by the more than 30,000 amazing women (and men!) in our community and I love finding the best education, mentors, and resources from around the globe, to help them get the skills, knowledge, and support they need to succeed. It’s been my privilege to lead HerBusiness (formerly The Australian Businesswomen’s Network) for the past 23 years (two+ decades – WOW!) because, whilst I’ve enjoyed success in business, I’ve also experienced the highs and the lows – sometimes you can feel on top of the world and in control and other times you can feel isolated, exhausted and stuck. What has made the biggest difference for me has always been having great people around me and having a lifelong commitment to learning. That’s why I am so passionate about the work we do here at HerBusiness – providing a Connection Network for women in business to get the mentors, contacts, referrals, knowledge, and skills they need to grow their confidence, make more money, build their businesses, expand their network and create the lives they love. My entrepreneurial journey started in the spare room of my Sydney apartment in 1994 when my business partner and I started a boutique events company that represented speakers and authors from the USA, here in Australia. Over the years I’ve grown multiple multi-million dollar businesses in the events, publishing and education niches – with teams in Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. Not everything has worked and there has been a degree of trial and error, and a lot of bumps in the road. But I have always had a strong commitment to always surrounding myself with great mentors and like-minded peers – a Connection Network that I can depend on and who can depend on me to be there for them too. I truly do what I love, every day.  

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