Let’s be real for a moment. You’re the most talented person in your business. You’re the one who can create an amazing guest experience and deliver flawless service. Aaaaand you’re also the biggest bottleneck.

If you’re nodding your head, you’re not alone. This feeling of being a bottleneck is a classic sign of playing small in business. The key to scaling isn't about working harder; it's about thinking differently and finally owning your power as a CEO.

I see it over and over again: brilliant, capable women who are stuck because they’ve fallen into a few common traps. Well, I’m calling them out so you can break free. And then we’ll take a look at how you can turn things around so that you stop playing small.

The 4 Traps That Keep Female Entrepreneurs Playing Small

Recognizing yourself in these patterns is the first step to changing them. See which of these sound a little too familiar.

1. The People-Pleasing Trap

This is the trap of saying "yes" to every single request that comes your way, even when it costs you precious time, energy, and money. You're so afraid of disappointing a client, an owner, or a team member that you overdeliver at your own expense. A CEO knows that saying a strategic "no" is one of the most powerful things you can do for your business's health and your own sanity.

2. The Discounting Trap

You undercharge for your services because you're worried someone won't hire you or you don't feel "ready" enough. Here’s the hard truth: lowering your price doesn't increase your value; it only lowers your profit. A confident CEO prices their services based on the immense value and results they provide, not on their fear of rejection.

3. The Invisibility Trap

This is a quiet one, but it’s incredibly damaging. It’s when you do all the heavy lifting behind the scenes but let someone else get all the credit. You avoid putting your name and your business out there because you don't want to be "too visible". Let me be clear: CEOs don't hide. They build a brand and stand behind their work with pride.

4. The Burnout Trap

This is the most common trap of all. It’s the belief that you have to do everything yourself to prove your worth or because "no one can do it like you can". You’re the one answering every message, doing every inspection, and putting out every fire. This isn't sustainable; it's a direct path to burnout. The only way out is to learn how to delegate effectively, a topic I explore more in my blog post, "How to Manage Multiple Businesses: A 3-Step Guide."

Spoiler alert: you don't need to wait for permission to lead. You already have what it takes.

The CEO Identity Shift: How to Stop Playing Small

Adopting a CEO mindset is the antidote to playing small. It doesn’t mean you become cold or stop caring about the details that make your service great. It simply means you start leading with intention and operating with systems. It’s a shift from being a reactive doer to a proactive leader. As experts from Harvard Business Review note, this strategic thinking is a hallmark of top executives.

Here’s how CEOs think differently:

• They make decisions based on data, not drama

• They create systems and processes, not temporary Band-Aid fixes

• They say no to opportunities and requests that don't align with their vision

• They delegate tasks that don't absolutely need their direct input

• They invest in tools and people that create more time and freedom

• They don't hustle for their worth. They lead from a place of clarity and confidence

You don't become a CEO when you hit a certain revenue number or hire your first employee. You become a CEO the moment you decide to start acting like one.

Your Playbook for Becoming a CEO

Recognizing these traps is your first major step. But having a proven roadmap makes the journey faster, easier, and a lot less stressful.

If you’re ready to trade burnout for a scalable business and a life you love, my book LIVE BIG is the playbook you've been looking for. It’s packed with the systems, strategies, and mindset shifts you need to go from an overwhelmed operator to a confident CEO.