• 1300 720 120
  • Contact
  • Sign In

Login / Logout

Forgot Password
Logo for HerBusiness
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Events
  • Become a Member
  • Work With Us

The HerBusiness Podcast

With Suzi Dafnis

 
 
Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.

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

Planning, Growth Zones, You

Subscribe

Click here to subscribe

 

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.

 


 

Subscribe to the HerBusiness Podcast

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

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Subscribe on Spotify

 


 

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
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Stella’s website

Share This

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...

view profile

    author social links:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Blog
  • Website
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Latest Episodes

  1. 355 – When Your Business Has Grown—But Your Message Hasn’t
    02 April 2026

  2. 354 – From Operator to Leader: Close the Gap Holding You Back
    26 March 2026

  3. 353 – The “I’ll Just Do It Myself” Trap and How to Get Out of It
    19 March 2026

  4. 352 – The Leadership Skill Most Business Owners Are Missing (And How to Learn It)
    12 March 2026

  5. 351 – Soaring One Week, Stuck the Next? The Natural Cycles of Business Growth
    05 March 2026

  6. 350 – The Invisible Work Trap That Keeps You Busy but Not Profitable
    26 February 2026

  7. 349 – What Your Brand Is Saying About You (Before You Say a Word)
    19 February 2026

  8. 348 – Is It Time to Simplify Your Products and Services — Without Starting Over?
    12 February 2026

  9. 347 – How to Use LinkedIn to Sell Without Being Salesy – Jo Saunders (LinkedIn)
    05 February 2026

  10. 346 – How to Market Multiple Offers Without Overwhelming Your Audience (or Yourself)
    29 January 2026

Listener Reviews

  • Highly relevant and informative. We are in the process of updating our website and so your episode Design Insights from a Successful Web Designer was tremendously helpful. It highlighted the importance of a number of website design and layout...
    - Frozen in Hobart

  • Chunks of ‘gold’ in every podcast. Having many years of marketing experience under my belt, it is easy to push aside learning content that relates to marketing in favour of other tasks. I am so glad I didn’t. This...
    - LollyMollyMe

  • This podcast really helps. I have been listening to these podcasts since they first came out and am finding them so helpful. If you need to know who your ideal clients are and how to figure that out, then...
    - Cathdev

  • A Podcast Full of Great Content!! I listen to a number of marketing podcasts as marketing has been a steep learning curve for me for a while now. The Content Sells Podcast is in a league of its own!...
    - can’treadfrench

  • This podcast really helps. This podcast is an absolute must for marketers and entrepreneurs wanting to supercharge their sales. Finally someone telling us how to make the most of all our hard work. Can’t wait to put these strategies...
    - joshmasters

About herBusiness

HerBusiness is a community for established women business owners ready to lead differently.

For over 30 years, we've supported women who’ve built successful businesses to refine how they work — strengthening foundations, creating leverage, and stepping out of the day-to-day to lead with clarity and confidence.

Apply to Join the HerBusiness Network

Quicklinks

  • About
  • Contact
  • Freebies
  • Become a Member
  • Join the Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Meet Suzi
Logo for HerBusiness
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Mail to
© HerBusiness® - HerBusiness® is a registered trademark of HerBusiness Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.