Things I Won’t Ever Apologize For
Mar 03, 2023
There are a lot of things I used to apologize for in business.
Saying no.
Setting a boundary.
Charging my worth.
Needing space.
Doing things scared instead of confident.
But after eight years of building a business while raising a family—and doing a lot of unlearning—I’ve made a decision:
There are things I will no longer apologize for.
Not in business. Not in motherhood. Not in life.
This episode is a bit of a permission slip. Maybe even a loving shake of the shoulders. Because if you’ve been shrinking, softening, or second-guessing yourself to be seen as “nice,” I want to invite you into something more sustainable: being a good person—one with boundaries, clarity, and courage.
Let’s dive into the things I’ll never apologize for (and maybe you won’t either).
1. Saying No
No to projects that don’t align.
No to clients who don’t respect my time.
No to pricing that doesn’t honor the value I bring.
I used to say yes because I thought that’s what nice people do. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. I didn’t want to seem difficult. But you know what that really did?
It drained me. It stretched me. It made me resent my own work.
I don’t say yes out of guilt anymore. I say no because I respect myself, my energy, and my family. And I won’t apologize for that.
2. Being Good, Not Nice
This might ruffle some feathers, but here’s the truth:
Being “nice” is what gets women hurt in business.
Nice leads to overworking, undercharging, blurred boundaries, and burnout.
What I aim for instead is being good. A good person runs their business with integrity. A good person respects their team, their time, and their capacity. A good person is kind—but clear.
And that distinction? It’s changed everything for me.
Men in business aren’t losing sleep over whether they seem nice. So why should we?
I’ll always choose being a good leader over being a liked one—and I’ll never apologize for that again.
3. Protecting My Energy
As an introvert, I know my limits. And I don’t push past them anymore just to make a sale.
Someone recently asked me if I’d do an eight-hour VIP day. Old me would’ve said yes—even if it meant collapsing on the couch afterward. But new me? I said no. Politely.
Honestly. Because I know I can give my best in four hours, and anything beyond that isn’t good for either of us.
I won't apologize for working in a way that honors my energy.
It’s not just self-care—it’s smart business.
4. Doing Things Before I Feel “Ready”
Confidence doesn’t come before action. It comes from it.
Most of the big things I’ve done—launching a podcast, raising my prices, sending the email, posting something vulnerable—I did scared. I still get nervous. I still second-guess myself sometimes.
But the secret?
I don’t wait for confidence. I choose courage.
You don’t need to feel ready to take the next step. You just need five seconds of bravery—and the willingness to look a little silly while you figure it out.
I won’t apologize for acting before I feel “fully prepared.” It’s how I’ve grown everything I’ve built.
5. Believing in Myself
We are often our own harshest critics. And as moms, as entrepreneurs, as women—we pile on the pressure.
But I’ve learned the hard way that if I’m not my biggest fan, no one else will be. I have to lead from belief. From trust. From love. Not just for what I do—but for who I am becoming.
I won’t apologize for rooting for myself.
Neither should you.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been:
- Saying yes when you mean no
- Playing small so others feel comfortable
- Waiting until you “feel confident” to make a move
- Afraid to set boundaries because it might make you look selfish
This is your reminder: you don’t have to apologize for protecting your peace.
In fact, the sooner you stop apologizing, the sooner you start building a business (and life) that actually works for you.
