I’ll never forget the first time I heard the term ‘entrepreneurial poverty’.
I was stunned. Entrepreneurs? Poor? That didn’t make sense. After all, aren’t we the ones who are supposed to be building freedom, creating opportunities, and living the dream?
But the longer I was in business and the more women entrepreneurs I met, the more I realized how true it was. Because poverty isn’t only about money.
When we think of poverty, our minds jump straight to finances. But here’s the truth: poverty shows up in three ways for business owners: money, time, and energy.
Money is the most obvious. Struggling with profit, cash flow, or pricing.
Time is working 50-60 hours a week with nothing left for family or fun.
Energy is feeling exhausted, burned out, and resentful of the business you built.
If you’re lacking in any of those three currencies, you’re experiencing entrepreneurial poverty. And I see it everywhere.
Let me be real. I’ve coached women earning $400K+ who are still broke in time and energy. They can’t remember the last time they had a guilt-free vacation.
Their spouses feel ignored.
Their kids are grown, and they missed half of it. On paper, they’re successful. But in reality, they’re living a poverty no one talks about.
It’s not because they aren’t smart or driven. In fact, most women founders I meet are brilliant. But they fall into the same cycle: saying yes to too many clients, believing hustle is the only way forward, and running the business instead of leading it.
It’s not your fault. You were sold the idea that grinding harder would eventually pay off. But here’s the wake-up call: it won’t.
I’m on a mission to end entrepreneurial poverty. Not just the money kind, but the poverty of time and energy, too.
I believe women entrepreneurs can build businesses that are sustainable, scalable, and sellable while still living lives they love. It’s not always easy. But it is simple.
And it all begins with one question: what kind of life do you actually want to live?
Not what others expect.
Not what your industry says is “normal.”
Not what hustle culture glorifies.
You. Your life. Your freedom.
Because once you’re clear on that vision, you can design a business that supports it instead of draining it.
If this hit home, I want you to download and take the CEO Freedom Audit™ self-assessment worksheet.
It’s a quick, practical tool that helps you identify the limiting beliefs keeping you in hustle mode, the time-wasters draining your week, and where you need support so you can work less and profit more.
Download your copy here.
Because ending entrepreneurial poverty starts with clarity, and this worksheet will start you on that journey!
Yes, You Can Do This,
Diana
PS. If you live in the Ottawa Valley and want to network with thought leaders, attend Autumn Advantage on October 18th, organized by Helen Snell. I’ll be speaking there along with a few other amazing business leaders!
