Written by Krystal Jugarap
Turning Challenges Into Confidence as Entrepreneurs – Entrepreneurship often requires us to grow faster than we feel ready for. Whether it’s learning to manage finances, building systems, hiring a team, or simply learning to trust ourselves, every woman founder hits moments where the next step feels unfamiliar, even intimidating.
At EM/POWEREDbyWMN, we’ve seen firsthand that the skills we once dreaded can become the strengths we lead with. The key isn’t perfection—it’s presence, practice, and the decision to keep showing up. Often, it starts with the smallest actions: setting boundaries, saying yes to collaboration, asking for help, or learning a new tool that supports your business.
Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. When women surround themselves with community—spaces that offer support, encouragement, and shared resources—it becomes easier to lean into the uncomfortable. What once felt like a weakness becomes a skill sharpened by experience and shaped by resilience.
This is the essence of empowered entrepreneurship. It’s not about having it all figured out—it’s about being willing to evolve. We get stronger not just by learning but by doing, reflecting, and trying again. Eventually, that fear turns into flow. And with clarity and consistency, confidence follows.
We asked some of the women from the EM/POWEREDbyWMN community, “What is one skill that you used to dread/fear that you can now show up confidently in? What did you do to develop that skill?” This is what they said…
The skill I once dreaded most was celebrating small wins without waiting for perfection.
After a decade building my career in corporate environments where everything followed clear procedures and measurable outcomes, launching my own business threw me into uncharted territory. The constant unknowns shook my confidence, leaving me frustrated and questioning whether I was on the right path.
In corporate life, success markers were obvious—promotions, quarterly targets, and annual reviews. But entrepreneurship offered no such clarity. I found myself waiting for that “perfect” moment or major breakthrough to feel accomplished.
The shift came when I started deliberately acknowledging incremental progress. Instead of dismissing small improvements, I began documenting them: a positive client message, a streamlined system, and a new opportunity. I created weekly rituals to reflect on these wins.
This changed everything. Those small victories became fuel that sustained me through uncertainty. I realized that progress isn’t always dramatic—often, it’s simply showing up with intention, again and again.
Now, celebrating small wins isn’t just a skill—it’s my strategy. It keeps me grounded, focused, and confident in the face of ambiguity. In a world where perfection is a moving target, recognizing progress in real time is what keeps the momentum alive.
– Kate Ziuz Presence & Self-Presentation Coach | Founder of Master Your Presence
One skill I used to dread was public speaking. The thought of being on a stage or speaking to an audience would immediately trigger self-doubt and nerves. But I knew that if I wanted to grow as a leader and amplify the mission behind EM/POWEREDbyWMN, I needed to build that skill.
I started small—doing casual podcast interviews and sharing my thoughts on Instagram Stories, which felt more like intimate conversations than formal speeches. From there, I began intentionally putting myself in spaces where I had to speak—small panels, community events, and eventually larger stages. Even when I didn’t feel fully confident, I showed up knowing the only way through was to keep practicing. I listen back to my talks to see where I can refine. I pay attention to my tone, my pacing, and clarity, or lack thereof, and I stay committed to getting better.
Over time, I also got really clear on what lights me up to talk about: community building, authentic leadership, mindset, and visibility for women entrepreneurs. That clarity has helped me speak more freely and with passion. Today, I show up confidently—not because I’m perfect, but because I’ve done the inner and outer work to grow into the speaker I once doubted I could become.
– Krystal Jugarap EBW Founder, Brand Visibility Strategist,
EM/POWEREDbyWMN Founder & Motivational Speaker
“I’ve seen how powerful it is when women choose to grow through the hard stuff. It’s not about never feeling fear—it’s about having the support, space, and self-trust to move through it and come out stronger on the other side.” – Krystal Jugarap
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