Today I’m here to talk to you about a very mighty, vulnerable, and important conversation of being liked… or rather being disliked. As an entrepreneur, your CEO status can often affect the relationships around you. Which, if you ask me, is kind of bullshit. I don’t let Sally the florist’s occupation stop me from having a healthy friendship with her, but for some reason my CEO status has offended people, on more than one occasion.

My VIPs

Let me start out by saying although I have people who prey on my downfall, I also have people who root for my success daily. There are three, very important people in my life that have my back no matter what and those are my husband, mom, and best friend, Katie. These three people are always next to me, cheering me on, encouraging my success, asking genuine questions, and just being frickin’ amazing.

CEO Status Affecting Relationships

I’m not here to tell you there’s some magical secret that you can utilize to make your friends and family love what you do or ask questions about your business because I’ve actually had a really hard time with this myself. I’ve not had the greatest time when it comes to being an entrepreneur and maintaining, holding, and even growing relationships.I had to realize that not everyone is going to like me. If you are willing to stand up in the public eye and speak about something, you have to be willing to be completely obsessed over and also… hated. It seems so harsh saying that but, damn, it really has felt that way at times.

I wanted to have this conversation today because I want this podcast to be a space for necessary conversations that can be hard to have with other people around you. There’s been times as an entrepreneur when I’ve sat in my office and wondered, “why am I doing this?” Or wondered why I chose the “hard path”. Don’t get me wrong, there is so much to be said for being an entrepreneur. It takes a special kind of person to do what we do, share messages to the masses, have the grit it takes to run a business, and more. But there is harm in ignoring the parts of being an entrepreneur that hurt and are, simply, part of the process. That’s why I created this space because we are a badass group of women who are Shamelessly Ambitious and it should stay that way. No one should put shame in your game. 

One of the most important conversations is the idea of people in your life that don’t love what you’re doing. They just downright don’t understand being an entrepreneur, they’re begging you to stop and get a “real job”, and they’re asking you to be smaller. Tune into the episode above to hear a personal story of what someone I once considered a friend said to me…

I hate to admit it, but there have been times where those instances in life and things that “friends” have said to me have really made me feel small. Sometimes peoples comments have affected me so much that I’ve disappeared from social media because they made me feel that my goals and determination were negative for them.

I say all this for no other reason than for you to know you’re not alone. Because you aren’t. In fact, holding back and not showing who you truly are is one of the biggest assaults in your business. When we let others water us down, water down our message, water down our voice, and water down who we are to our core, we water down the kind of impact we can have on this world. When we water ourselves down, we lose the essence of who we are. I’ve both experienced this personally and witnessed it with my clients. We water ourselves down because our “bigness” impacts how others see and treat us. My “bigness” was directly affecting the kind of friendships I was able to have… more BTS friendship conversation in the episode above that really, really hurt my heart.

What happens when people continuously treat us differently just because of our CEO status is we begin to create narratives for ourselves, whether consciously or unconsciously. Do you resonate with the narratives I talked about in the episode?

The Realization

What I had to come to realize is, it’s okay if there are others who dislike or disagree with me because it means I’m making an impact and standing for something I believe in and am passionate about. But, being disliked as an entrepreneur is not easy. It can be disheartening and make us question ourselves and our choices. However, it’s important to remember that we cannot please everyone. && trying to do so will only dilute our message and diminish our impact. We have to be willing to take up space, be bold, and own our voice even if it means facing criticism or losing some relationships along the way. At the same time, it’s crucial to acknowledge the pain and emotions that come with being disliked. It’s not easy to see friendships fade or feel the sting of judgment from loved ones. It’s okay to feel hurt and disappointed. But it’s also important to find a support system that uplifts and encourages us. Surrounding ourselves with people who believe in us and our dreams is crucial for our mental and emotional well-being. Be open with others about these experiences, that’s why Shamelessly Ambitious exists, because by sharing our struggles and vulnerabilities, we create a safe space for others to do the same. This space is a step in that direction — to validate the experiences of entrepreneurs who have faced criticism, judgment, or indifference from those around them.

Even Though It Sucks…

Being disliked as an entrepreneur is a part of the journey. It’s a sign that we are making waves, challenging the status quo, and stepping into our greatness. It’s a reminder that we are not meant to play small or conform to others’ expectations. We are here to make a difference and create a legacy.
So, my fellow entrepreneurs, let’s embrace the discomfort that comes with being disliked. Let’s stay true to ourselves and our values. Let’s find our tribe—those who celebrate and support us unconditionally. And let’s remember that our worth and success as entrepreneurs are not determined by the opinions of others. Keep shining your light, and never be afraid to be shamelessly ambitious.

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