The highs, the hurts, and the hope
You won’t find this on a spreadsheet, but some of the most powerful entrepreneurs I know lead with heart first. They’re not in it to scale fast and sell out. Instead, they’re here to serve, to heal, and to inspire. This heart-centered entrepreneur concept builds businesses that feel like an extension of values, voice, and lived experience.
But behind the beautifully branded posts and purpose-driven offers? It’s a rollercoaster. Being a heart-centered entrepreneur is equal parts magic and mess. And today, I want to talk about both.
Why This Isn’t Just Business
For heart-centered entrepreneurs, especially women, this work isn’t just work. It’s personal. We don’t separate who we are from what we do. Our businesses are build around our beliefs, our lived stories and our deepest values.
That’s powerful…and also vulnerable. When you’re putting your whole heart into something, every launch, every comment, every unsubscribe hits a little different. We care — a lot — and that’s both the superpower and the struggle.
We’re building something from scratch using guts, gumption, and maybe a few too many browser tabs. That’s an art form.
The Upsides (aka The Soul-Filling Magic)
Let’s start with the good stuff — the goosebumps, the full-body yes, the “I can’t believe this is my job” moments.
- You get to lead with your values. You’re not pretending to be someone else. You’re creating a business that feels true. That’s rare and beautiful.
- Work feels meaningful. Whether you’re coaching, designing, teaching, or writing, there’s a reason behind it that drives you forward.
- You attract the right people. Real connection runs deeper than algorithms. When you show up as yourself, your people find you.
- You get to create change. Not just in your client’s lives, but often in your own — rewriting patterns, claiming your voice, building something on your own terms.
You believed in your work again today. Even just a little. That’s where everything begins.
The Downsides (aka The Tender, Tricky Stuff)
Now for the other side of the coin. Because truth? This path isn’t all inspirational sticky notes and midday lattes. (If only!!)
- You’re doing emotional labor. You hold space. You encourage. And you listen deeply. That takes energy, especially if no one’s doing the same for you.
You cried during a client call and still held space. That’s not unprofessional, it’s unfakeable.
- Boundaries can get blurry. When you are your brand, it’s hard to know where work ends and rest begins.
- You’re more likely to undercharge or overgive. Because it feels like helping. Until it doesn’t.
- Visibility can be terrifying. When your business is built on your voice, it’s not just a product being judged — it’s you.
The Tension Between Purpose and Profit
Here’s the tricky truth: being heart-centered doesn’t mean being broke. But it can feel like making money is somehow at odds with your values, especially when you’re surrounded by loud, bro-market-y voices shouting about six-figure incomes.
- Pricing your work fairly is an act of self-respect.
- Marketing can feel aligned, not manipulative.
- Profit allows you to sustain your mission.
You can care deeply and charge appropriately. you can be strategic without being soulless. In fact, your clients are counting on you to do just that.
You raised your rates even though your stomach did somersaults. That’s not scary — it’s sacred.
What Keeps Us Going (Spoiler: It’s Not Just Grit)
Grit is part of it, sure. But what really keeps us soing is something quieter, and maybe more sacred.
- That feeling when a client says, “I feel seen.”
- That day you realize you’re working with people who actually energize you.
- That gut-deep clarity that says, “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
We’re fueled by meaning. We’re fed by connection. And sometimes, the work we’re doing is changing us just as much as we hope it’s changing others.
Rest is not a reward. It’s part of the process.
A Love Note to My Fellow Heart-Centered Entrepreneur
If you’ve ever felt like you’re too sensitive for business… you’re not.
If you’ve ever questioned your worth because you’re not scaling fast or showing up loudly… please don’t.
If you’ve ever needed someone to say, “Hey, this way of doing business matters…” consider this that moment.
You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re building something rare and real. And yes, it takes longer. Yes, it’s harder. But it’s also deeper, more sustainable, and more true.
Even if my inbox is scary and my to-do list is feral, I’m still showing up with heart.
So here’s to you — the heart-led, values-rooted, world-bettering human reading this. The world needs what you’re doing. Keep going.
Softly doesn’t mean small. Your business can be gentle and world-changing.
P.S. If you’re a heart-centered entrepreneur building a values-based brand and want tools that match your heart and your hustle, check out The Brand Values Breakthrough. It’s a gentle deep-dive course to help you define what really matters and write content that reflects it.
