Freedom by Design: 18 Ways to Gain Time, Choice, and Peace as a Female Entrepreneur
Introducing the Founding Females® Business Hack Series
Welcome to the very first edition of the Founding Females® Business Hack Series: a monthly collection of crowd-sourced wisdom from women entrepreneurs around the world.
At Founding Females, we know women have vast collective intelligence to share.
Each time one of us discovers a smarter workflow, a mindset shift that elevates the outcome, or a strategy that frees up time and mental space, it becomes something worth sharing.
This series celebrates what women do so well: link arms and clear the path for the next woman to thrive.
Each month, we invite women founders, consultants, creatives, and CEOs from every corner of the globe to submit their best “business hack” aligned with intentional topics designed to help women lead, grow, and expand our businesses.
The result is a growing library of practical wisdom from real women doing good work in real businesses, all curated here in one place so you can learn, grow, and build a business that supports your life, not the other way around.
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling with purpose, these hacks offer quick wins, fresh perspectives, and tested insights that save time, fuel momentum, and help you step deeper into your role as a female entrepreneur.
This Month’s Theme: Freedom by Design — How to Gain Time, Choice, and Peace
This month, our contributors shared the shifts, systems, and micro-strategies that help them build businesses around freedom.
At Founding Females® we often say: “Build a business around your life and not a life around your business.” because we know women often build businesses in the crack of life — closing a deal while waiting in the school pick up line, voice messaging ideas into a shared note with our team while prepping dinner for the family, or in the early morning hours before anyone else wakes up.
Have a Hack of Your Own? We’d Love to Feature You.
If you’re an entrepreneur with a piece of hard-earned wisdom you’re willing to share, we want to hear it. Your insight could be the exact shift another woman needs to move forward.
Submit your hack here: https://foundingfemalesco.com/hack
(We publish new themes all year long. Bookmark the page so you can contribute anytime.)
Let’s hear the smart, practical hacks that help these brilliant women run a business they love without sacrificing the life they’re building it for.
Photo Credit: Always Flourishing Photography
Freedom by Design — How to Gain Time, Choice, and Peace for Female Entrepreneurs
“Getting my body operating at 100% through functional lab testing”
“As a health coach for entrepreneurs, I’ve always believed energy is our greatest business asset. But it wasn’t until I ran my own labs - addressing hidden mineral deficiencies, hormone imbalances, and chronic inflammation - that I experienced what true clarity and capacity feel like.
No more afternoon crashes. No more end-of-week burnout. Instead, I had consistent energy, sharper focus, and (surprisingly) way more creativity. Lead gen ideas flowed. Content creation got easier. I made faster decisions, fewer mistakes, and created stronger client results - because I was finally mentally and physically operating at 100%.
Functional testing wasn’t just a health move - it was a growth strategy. It helped me unlock the next level of my business by restoring the foundation that makes everything else possible: my brain and body.
I use this same process with clients now, and the results speak for themselves. Optimize the operator, optimize the business.”
Jessica Van Antoine, founder of Phoenix Functional Health | @phoenixfunctionalhealth | Lyons, CO, USA
“Build the people who are building things!”
“Build the people who are building things! The game-changer for me was shifting from growing the business to growing the people who grow the business. When you invest deeply in leadership, clarity, and culture, everything else scales faster...with less chaos and burnout.”
Kristin Toth, founder of Ulu Partners | @ulu.partners | Seattle, WA, USA
“My business was realizing that my personal energy determines everything else.”
“As a wellness coach and entrepreneur, I used to measure everything in numbers—followers, conversions, revenue. But what truly shifted my business was realizing that my personal energy determines everything else: how I show up for clients, create content, and lead my team.
Now, instead of asking “What do I need to do today?” I ask, “What gives me energy today?”
That shift changed everything. I structure my day around my peak energy times. I batch creative work in the morning, coach in the afternoon, and protect my 2% daily movement time, because when I move, my business moves too.
It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing what keeps you fueled, focused, and aligned. When you protect your energy, your ideas get sharper, your clients feel your presence, and growth becomes sustainable, not exhausting.
Energy isn’t found—it’s built. And when you build yours intentionally, your business grows right alongside it.”
Sarah Parise, founder of Great Days By Sarah | @greatdaysbysarah | Raleigh, NC, USA
“Own your calendar!”
“Own your calendar! Each week, block out your most important personal tasks first -- workouts, family time, etc... it's easy for your busy schedule to take over, making your personal life a priority FIRST will allow you to fill in your calendar with the things that need to get done, and still allow you personal time!”
Simone Bernstein, founder of Spark by Simone, Wellth Society, barre3 Brookline | @sim.one.bernstein | Boston, MA, USA
“I built two Digital Twins to stand in for me.”
“I built Digital Twins of myself! I physically cannot review every deck, answer every question, or give time to every single founder who requests it. (My time is limited, and I'm expensive.) So I built two Digital Twins to stand in for me.
People wanting to pick my brain can use "The Advisor," who answers anything startup and fundraising-related. "The Investor" reviews decks and gives pitch feedback. She challenges founders just like a real Angel Investor or Venture Capitalist would to help them dig in, reframe, and build confidence before a big meeting, pitch competition, or grant submission.
I use them myself for quick assessments, content creation, and to get my own advice.
Both can chat via text or voice and are available on a monthly subscription.”
Katie Dunn, founder of Masthead Strategies | @iamkatiedunn | New York, NY, USA
“Realizing that everything is working for me.”
“The biggest mindset shift is realizing that everything is working for me. Every challenge, delay, client, launch, or pivot is feedback showing me something about myself or my alignment.
Instead of reacting or spiraling when things don’t go as planned, I zoom out and ask, “What is this trying to show me?” That perspective turns obstacles into information and keeps me in a constant state of evolution.
When you start to associate everything that happens with your bigger picture goal, nothing feels like failure and it all becomes data. You stop fighting reality and start working with it. You move from control to trust, from fear to flow.”
Stephanie Kaplan, founder of Stephanie Kaplan Coaching | Los Angeles, CA, USA
“This simple daily discipline has become the foundation of my growth.”
“One game changing hack that helped my business grow: My routines and the mindset work I do every morning.
As an entrepreneur, wife, and mom, my days are full, so I have learned that how I start and end each day determines how I show up for my business. My game changing hack is not a piece of software or a marketing trick. It is my routine. Each night, I plan out my priorities for the next day, review what worked, and mentally close the loop on my to do list.
Each morning, before checking emails or social media, I dedicate quiet time to prayer, gratitude, and visualization. I align my thoughts and energy with the goals I have set for the day. That clarity keeps me grounded, reduces decision fatigue, and helps me lead from a place of focus and peace instead of chaos and stress.
This simple daily discipline has become the foundation of my growth. It allows me to lead my clients and my team with intention, creativity, and confidence.”
Jamie Alexander, founder of Living Well With Jamie | @livingwellwithjamie | Byron, GA, USA
“Protect a pocket of time each week that’s yours.”
“When people ask how to make space for a passion project while working full time, I remind them: it doesn’t have to look like 100%. Sometimes, it’s 60 minutes with your coffee before the day begins. Sometimes, it’s letting an idea simmer while you build the foundation underneath it.
Freedom isn’t about doing it all. It’s about choosing what matters and designing your time to reflect that. I’ve found peace in setting gentle boundaries around my mornings (usually before my typical 9–5). This includes carving out space to write to my email community, reflecting on past career milestones for a LinkedIn post, or doing market research for a client. That hour isn’t flashy, but it’s mine. And it’s enough.
If you’re in a season of simmering, that’s okay. Just keep the door open. Protect a pocket of time each week that’s yours. Be intentional, not perfect. Your passion project doesn’t need urgency. It needs consistency, clarity, and care.”
Andrea Verplaetse, founder of Your Career Mentor by Andrea | @careerbyandrea | Peoria, IL, USA
“When you tell someone else you are going to do something, you are 65% more likely to do it!”
“Tell someone else that you are going to do a task or have zoom co-working sessions. When you tell someone else you are going to do something, you are 65% more likely to do it!
Try it and watch the magic unfold. Its great if you choose a task that you are resisting and that you know will bring you closer to your future vision.
Text a like-minded friend that you are doing it, set a timer and finish the task. Text them afterward with a celebration emoji to honor that commitment you made to yourself. Or better yet, reward yourself with your favorite beverage. Or have them hop on zoom, mute the lines and they can work on something they want to power through also.
You'll be amazed at the potency of productivity when you make this simple shift. The more you do it, the more your self-trust muscle is built and productivity will be your new normal.”
Kristin Swanson, founder of Kristin Swanson Consulting | @kristin_swanson_ | Seattle, WA, USA
“This is a great way to learn how to delegate tasks and manage employees at no risk!”
“When you're looking to grow your team, leverage interns! If you have remote tasks, Stand Out Interns is a FREE internship program that provides business owners of any size remote high school interns for a few months. This is a great way to learn how to delegate tasks and manage employees at no risk! Better yet, you pay it forward and show these students what working in a professional environment can look like, along with growing their skillset.
If you want help that's more mature, talk to your local higher education institutions. Colleges, universities, and trade schools may have internship or apprenticeship programs and incentives that lighten the economic burden of that extra headcount.
When you're looking at interns, just keep in mind that they need a little more guidance than a more experienced employee. The more specific your instructions are, the better work your interns can produce.
On the upside, they can bring new perspectives and fresh ideas to the table, along with insight on current trends. You can also use interns to support you in areas where you're not strong and you don't need a high level of expertise. I've had good success using interns for social media content creation and other design tasks.”
Christina Spaulding, founder of Manzanita Marketing | @manzanitamktg | Las Vegas, NV, USA
“Every week, I identify the one purposeful action that will create meaningful impact for the people I serve.”
“Here’s the business hack that transformed both my leadership and my company: I stopped building from urgency and started building from purpose.
After losing my son, I entered entrepreneurship with a very different lens — one shaped by clarity, compassion, and the undeniable truth that life is too fragile to create from anything less than intention. I realized that pressure leads to hustle, but purpose leads to alignment, discernment, and sustainability.
My hack is simple but powerful: Every week, I identify the one purposeful action that will create meaningful impact for the people I serve.
Not the task that screams the loudest.
Not the obligation that feels expected.
The one thing that aligns with my mission, honors my capacity, and moves my business forward with heart.
This practice has protected my energy, sharpened my focus, and allowed The Memory Box to grow without compromising the reason it exists. It’s how I make sure my work isn’t just productive — it’s sacred, steady, and true.
If this perspective resonates with even one woman building something meaningful, then sharing it is already worth it.”
Kelly Edmondson, founder of The Memory Box | @thememorybox_official | Orlando, FL, USA
“I built an AI advisory board of the business leaders I admire.”
“I built an AI advisory board of the business leaders I admire. Now when I'm stuck on an issue or want a different perspective on strategy, I consult my AI advisory board. They’re my 2 a.m. sounding board, when I can’t call my human network.”
Aila Frishman, founder of Cailence | Connect on LinkedIn | Seattle, WA, USA
“I stopped trying to work from overwhelm and I started following what I call the Joy Signal.”
“My best business hack came straight from building Pocketlings with my 10 year old daughter. I stopped trying to work from overwhelm and I started following what I call the Joy Signal. As a mom and a business owner, there are so many directions I could go, so I made this rule: if it brings me joy or brings a child joy, it goes to the top of the list.
Here is what that looks like in real life. Instead of forcing myself to sit down and write content from a blank page, I start with something that genuinely lifts my energy. A moment with my 10 year old, a message from a parent, or a video of a child hugging their Pocketlings doll. That one spark of joy becomes the anchor and the content flows from there. It saves time, it feels authentic, and it reminds me why we started in the first place.
It is simple but it has changed everything. Follow the joy first and then turn it into strategy. When joy leads, the work gets done and the impact lands exactly where it is meant to.”
Osayi Lasisi, founder of Pocketlings Dolls & Books | @pocketlings | Georgina, ON, Canada
“Now, whenever I hit a roadblock, I intentionally pause.”
“One of the most game-changing hacks in my business wasn’t a tool or a strategy - it was a mindset shift. I realized that every time I felt stuck, overwhelmed, or second-guessing myself, it wasn’t because I didn’t have the skills. It was because I wasn’t giving myself enough space to zoom out and see the bigger picture.
Now, whenever I hit a roadblock, I intentionally pause. I take a breath, step back, and ask myself two questions: “What actually matters right now?” and “Why not me?” That simple reset has helped me quiet the noise, reconnect with my long-term vision, and make clearer decisions.
Instead of reacting from stress or perfectionism, I’m able to respond from a place of clarity and confidence. It’s helped me move faster, trust my instincts, and take bolder steps - especially when building something new or entering unfamiliar territory.”
Arielle Di Leo, founder of Loop Costumes | @loopcostumes | Toronto, Canada
“Never accept the opinions of those whose advice you would not seek!”
“Simple - Never accept the opinions of those whose advice you would not seek!”
Christen Belcher, founder of Tre Cani Consulting | Syracuse, NY, USA
“I stopped relying on willpower and started relying on systems.”
“One game-changing hack that transformed my business is this: I stopped relying on willpower and started relying on systems. As a studio owner, CEO, and soon a mom, I realized freedom doesn’t magically appear, you design it. And the more decisions I could remove from my daily life, the more time, choice, and peace I gained.
I built simple, repeatable systems for everything: onboarding new families, following up with leads, delegating to my team, managing our productions, even how I structure my workdays. Once something worked, I documented it. Then I refined it. Then I removed myself from it. Suddenly my business wasn’t being run on adrenaline, it was being run on intention.
The beautiful part? Systems don’t trap you, they free you. When the tasks that used to steal your mental bandwidth are automated, scheduled, or delegated, you get to show up higher, calmer, and more creative. You get your time back. You get to focus on growth instead of putting out fires. You get to make decisions from a place of leadership, not survival.
Freedom by design isn’t a philosophy, it’s a practice. And for me, it started the moment I decided to systemize everything.”
Sara Ordway, founder of Ordway Conservatory of Classical Ballet | @ordwayballet | Manassas, VA, USA
“I clarified my core strengths, packaged them clearly, and aligned them with the outcomes clients care most about.”
“One of the most effective shifts I made in my work was simplifying what I offer. Instead of trying to meet every request or customize every service, I focused on a few high-impact offerings that I do exceptionally well. I clarified my core strengths, packaged them clearly, and aligned them with the outcomes clients care most about.
This allowed me to create a smoother experience for clients, reduce the back-and-forth in scoping, and ensure consistent, high-quality delivery. It also helped me set clearer boundaries, manage my time more intentionally, and build a business that reflects my values.
The result has been stronger client relationships, more referrals, and better alignment between the work I take on and the change I want to support. Simplifying what I offer created space for deeper impact and allowed my work to grow with more focus and less stress.”
Celeste Smith, founder of Grants and Grit | @grantsandgrit | Chicago, IL, USA
“When everything feels urgent or equally important, this small but powerful hack helps bring clarity.”
“One game-changing hack that’s helped my business grow has been examining how and when I ask for help and intentionally challenging myself to seek out more forms of support so I can broaden my impact.
After years of coaching, I realized that many of my clients defaulted to a single support mechanism. For example, if they couldn’t delegate something, they would simply power through it relying on grit and resilience alone.
But that “tunnel vision” around support often leads to burnout, not growth.
To shift this, I created a Simplicity Cycle — a framework that reminds us that our default way of getting support is not our only option. It’s a visual tool that helps you consider a wider range of possibilities, including the question: Does this actually need to get done right now?
When everything feels urgent or equally important, this small but powerful hack helps bring clarity. It helps you simplify intentionally, reduce your to-do list with confidence, and make space for what truly moves your business forward.”
Amy Pierre-Russo, founder of Amy Pierre-Russo Coaching | @coachingw_amy | Boston, MA, USA
“For a long time, I thought freedom meant working fewer hours.”
“For a long time, I thought freedom meant working fewer hours. What actually changed my life was designing my schedule around when I’m most present and effective physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Thankfully when I am most present in all of these areas at work is not the same as when I am most present at home.
As a mobile physical therapist and homeschool mom, I batch client visits on specific days (Mondays and Thursdays- Mondays I am always ready to engage with my clients and can put my best foot forward; and by the time Thursday rolls around I'm ready to engage with clients in this way again). Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays are days I am committed to being present at home to homeschool and adventure with the family.
Early mornings are protected movement and prayer. Evenings are for family rhythms and other activities.
This helps me to stop chasing “more” and ask "What supports my family, clients, my body and mind?"
This has resulted in better care for my clients, more peace at home, and a business that supports my life rather than competing with it.”
Brittney Arnold, founder of Vitality Physical Therapy & Wellness PLLC | @vitalityptwellness | Morton, IL, USA
Conclusion
Have a Hack of Your Own? We’d Love to Feature You.
If you’re a woman entrepreneur with a piece of hard-earned wisdom to share, we want to hear it. Your insight could be the exact shift another woman needs to move forward.
Submit your hack here: https://foundingfemalesco.com/hack
(We publish new themes all year long — bookmark the page so you can contribute anytime.)
Thank you for being part of this global movement of women helping women.
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About Founding Females®
At Founding Females®, our mission is simple but bold: to help women build businesses that thrive—and feel good doing it. We create empowering spaces where women can openly share challenges, celebrate wins, and receive the kind of peer support that sparks real momentum.
Led by small business educator and unapologetic dream-chaser Francie Hinrichsen, Founding Females® offers a powerhouse lineup of resources including our signature online mastermind for female entrepreneurs, in-person business events (like our annual women’s conference and local Meet Ups), and the must-have guidebook Dream, Build, Grow: A Female’s Step-by-Step Guide for How to Start a Business.
Francie believes that any woman with a dream on her heart deserves a seat at the table—and she’s here to help you pull up your chair. [Click here to learn more about working with Francie.]
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