In the world of entrepreneurship, vulnerability is often seen as a sign of weakness and an antithesis of success. But what if we reframe it as a strength? What if coping with uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure actually helps us build a solid foundation of creativity, authenticity, and innovation for our businesses?

Vulnerability promotes transparency and is a competitive advantage for businesses and entrepreneurs to redefine what it means to exist in this more evolved, unprecedented world.

Entrepreneurship requires one to trust their instincts and put themselves out there, to manage and mitigate risks, to truly trust their teams and all of this can only happen once a vulnerability is considered part and parcel of our lives. In a world where we often steer clear of such conversations, we asked our members about the intersection of vulnerability and entrepreneurship in their lives, and here’s what they had to say:

“You can use the vulnerability to your advantage. In a world dominated by male entrepreneurs, it gives you a sense of authenticity. People often look at it as a negative thing, but I think one must embrace it because it’s one of the most beautiful parts of being a woman, it helps to form deeper connections. In my personal experience, accepting and applying this quality of mine in my professional life has resulted in several positive outcomes.”

• LWL Member Eesha Sukhi, Founder, The BlueBop Cafe

“I think a lot of it just involves constantly reminding yourself that it’s going to get better. Being an entrepreneur, one needs to have a lot of self-motivation, and having peers to learn from, helps. One of the reasons I joined LWL was to understand how to deal with the perception of entrepreneurship being a male-dominated profession. When you read about, talk to, or meet women entrepreneurs, it helps you recognize the issues we all face and fosters a support system in what can sometimes be an isolating experience.”

• LWL Member Aahana Bisani, Co-Founder, Rega Living

“Being an entrepreneur does make you vulnerable, especially when you’ve been working for over a decade as I have. However, if you really love what you do and are passionate about it, it helps you sail through the journey. I wake up every day and remind myself that I can take on any challenge thrown my way, and if you do too, nothing will stop you.”

• LWL Member Pooja Doshi, Founder, Elusive Dreams

By showcasing our authentic selves, we create relatability that is difficult to achieve through polished presentations or marketing materials. Ultimately, embracing vulnerability allows us to create deeper connections with others and unlock new opportunities for growth and success. So let’s lean into our vulnerabilities, embrace our humanity, and create a more connected and empathetic business world.

As workplace stress continues to rise, entrepreneurs are feeling it too. Hiding emotions is leading to heightened stress and burnout among business founders, making it harder to think clearly. It is becoming increasingly important to integrate wellness into all aspects of success.

It’s time to lay off the strains of success and lean into more empathy and vulnerability, embrace the highs and lows behind the scenes, express your most authentic selves, and wear your true emotions up your sleeves, to build a business and life that’s truly meaningful.