Confidence is the secret sauce behind every successful woman, yet it remains one of the biggest challenges many face in business and leadership.

For decades, women have been rewriting the rules of success, breaking barriers in boardrooms, startups, and global enterprises. Yet, despite these strides, gender gaps in leadership, investment, and economic opportunities still persist.

At the core of this ongoing transformation is confidence, the ability to take risks, own one’s expertise, and navigate spaces that weren’t always designed for women. This was the focus of our International Women’s Day 2025 webinar, “The Confidence Catalyst — Women Redefining Success in Business”, held in partnership with CHAFHEIN, a nonprofit dedicated to improving reproductive and maternal health, nutrition, and girl-child education in Nigeria and Africa.

So, what does it really mean for women to redefine success? And how can confidence be the catalyst that drives this change?

Let’s define it!

The Missing Piece in Women’s Success Stories

Women are starting businesses at record rates, yet they still receive significantly less funding, mentorship, and leadership opportunities than men.

• Women-owned businesses represent 36% of all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) worldwide, yet they receive only 2.3% of total venture capital funding.
• Studies show that women often underestimate their abilities, applying for jobs only when they meet 100% of the qualifications, whereas men apply when they meet just 60%.
• Only 28% of managerial positions worldwide are held by women, despite years of advocacy for gender equality in leadership.

Why? Because beyond the external challenges, there’s a confidence gap that holds many women back from stepping into leadership, negotiating for higher pay, or expanding their businesses.

The Confidence Gap — Why Women Hold Back

Many women are raised with the belief that success should be earned quietly, that being too ambitious, too outspoken, or too assertive makes them less likable.

• Women are more likely to experience imposter syndrome, feeling they don’t belong in leadership positions, even when they are overqualified.
• Female entrepreneurs often struggle with self-advocacy, hesitating to pitch for funding or negotiate better deals.
• Many women feel uncomfortable taking credit for their achievements, attributing success to luck rather than skill.

But, the truth is …….Confidence is not about arrogance, it’s about owning your expertise and showing up fully in every space you enter.

The Confidence Catalyst — How Women Can Redefine Success in Business

1. Mastery is Power — Own Your Expertise

One of the strongest messages from our webinar? “Know your onions.”

Success in business is not about luck……it’s about mastery. Women must develop a level of expertise that makes them unquestionably valuable in their industries.

• Become an authority in your field — whether through learning, mentorship, or experience.
• Speak with certainty — confidence grows when you trust your own knowledge.
• Own your wins — stop downplaying your achievements. If you did it, take credit for it!

Too often, women underestimate their knowledge. They assume they need another certification, more years of experience, or more approval before they step up.

The truth? Many men step into leadership underprepared, while women wait until they’re overprepared.

Confidence starts with competence. The more you know, the more you trust yourself.

2. Women Must Stop Waiting for Permission

It is sad to see women wait for validation before taking action.

• They wait until they’re “fully ready” to start a business.
• They wait for someone to invite them into leadership.
• They wait to be told they are good enough.

But the truth? No one is coming to hand you success.

Women must start taking up space…….without apology, without hesitation.

3. Confidence Is the Best Response to Bias

The hard truth?

Women will be underestimated.

They will be questioned more than men.

They will have to work twice as hard to be taken seriously.

Women in business often face more skepticism than men, especially in securing investments.

• Investors are less likely to fund women, citing “risk” concerns.
• Female leaders are questioned more aggressively than their male counterparts.
• Married women in business face added doubts about their ability to balance work and family.

The best way to counter bias? Confidence.

• Walk into every room like you belong — because you do.
• Speak about your business with clarity and certainty.
• Negotiate without fear — your value is not up for debate.

Confidence makes it harder for people to dismiss you. When you believe in yourself, others have no choice but to take you seriously.

4. Stop Playing Small — Women Belong in Leadership

Women are challenged to break free from limiting career choices and actively pursue leadership roles.

• In Nigeria, over 50% of businesses are owned by women, but most remain small-scale due to poor access to financing.
• In executive hiring, 90% of top candidates for C-suite roles are still men, largely because women don’t see themselves in those positions.

women must refuse to be boxed in.

Women need to:

✅ Apply for leadership roles — even when they don’t feel “fully ready.”

✅ Position themselves for promotions and demand executive positions.

✅ See themselves as decision-makers, not just administrators.

5. Women Must Actively Seek Growth Opportunities

Many women don’t actively position themselves for the opportunities available to them.

• Women often don’t know about funding, leadership, and career advancement programs.
• When high-level executive roles are available, fewer women apply because they don’t see themselves there.
• Even in workplaces with gender diversity policies, women hesitate to claim their spot at the table.

Thelma’s challenge to women? Be proactive. Find opportunities. Position yourself for success.

6. Perfectionism is a Trap — Progress is the Goal

Women are conditioned to be perfectionists. From a young age, society teaches girls to:

• Play it safe.
• Avoid mistakes.
• Make everything “just right” before taking action.

But in business, perfectionism is the enemy of progress.

The most successful entrepreneurs didn’t wait for the perfect moment, they built as they grow.

Confidence is not about being 100% ready, it’s about taking action before you feel ready.

The Game:

✅ Do it afraid.

✅ Do it unsure.

✅ Do it imperfectly.

If you wait for everything to be perfect, you’ll never move forward. Start now, refine as you go.

7. Redefining Success — It’s Not Just About Money

success means creating impact — improving health, educating girls, and empowering women to make decisions about their own lives.

• Success can mean breaking cycles of poverty and dependency.
• It can mean mentoring other women and lifting as you climb.
• It can mean creating lasting change in communities.

Confidence is not just about personal wins, it’s about using your success to open doors for others.

THE LEAP

So, where do we go from here? How do we take these insights and turn them into real change?

1. Support Women-Owned Businesses

Money talks. Invest in women-led businesses, mentor female entrepreneurs, and amplify their work.

2. Challenge Bias in Leadership & Investments

Advocate for policies that promote gender equality in business, funding, and leadership.

3. Invest in Education & Skill Development

Empower young girls with education and leadership training. Confidence starts early!

Missed the Webinar? Watch the Replay!

If you missed this powerful conversation, don’t worry……we’ve got you covered!

💬 What’s YOUR biggest takeaway? Drop a comment and share your thoughts!

Together, let’s build a future where women redefine success on their own terms. Because becoming is hard, but staying in the same place is even harder.