Take Off Your Invisibility Cloak!
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I was sorting through our old DVDs - yes, we still have those, and some VHS tapes, too - the other day and came across our entire Harry Potter disc set. While the series has its complexities, and J.K. Rowling’s personal views are deeply problematic, there’s no denying the power of its storytelling. One of my favorite devices is Harry’s invisibility cloak—a tool that lets him hide, blend in, and avoid being seen. While the cloak served its purpose in certain moments, imagine if Harry - and his friends - had used it to stay hidden forever, never stepping into his role as the one who could change everything.
But, here’s the real question: how often do you wear your own “invisibility cloak”?
For many female entrepreneurs, staying invisible isn’t just a defense mechanism—it’s a habit.
I know… that probably seems a little harsh, but I’ll explain more in a second.
There’s also a cost to staying invisible. Missed opportunities, of course, but it’s also the quiet erosion of confidence, the stagnation of your business, and the weight of knowing your big ideas are stuck in the shadows.
But what if you shrugged off your invisibility cloak? What if you owned your unique brand of magic, let your voice be heard, and allowed yourself to lead boldly?
If you take nothing else from this blog today, know this: the world can’t afford for you to stay hidden—we need you to stand out.
Why We’re Talking About Invisibility
After teaching my workshop - You Have a Message—Why Aren’t They Listening?” Workshop! - in January, the women in the audience really resonated with a single statement:
Your invisibility is too comfortable.
As I reflected on the reactions I received, it became clear that it was time to really dive into what invisibility is, how it shows up in our lives and businesses, why it feels so hard to break free, and most importantly, how to reclaim our voice and step into our power. So, this is the first in a four-part series exploring all that juicy goodness. Here’s what you can expect over the next 4 weeks – yes, I’m deviating from my normal posting pattern because this is THAT important.
1. The High Cost of Staying Invisible (This Post)
We’re diving into the personal, professional, and emotional toll invisibility takes—and why now is the time to stop playing small.
2. The Double Bind of Visibility
We’ll explore the societal pressures that keep women from speaking up, from being labeled "too much" to the fear of being dismissed entirely.
3. Your Voice Is Your Superpower
We’ll talk about why your unique perspective matters, how it can create meaningful change, and what happens when women finally step into the spotlight.
4. From Fear to Fierce
We’ll wrap up with actionable strategies to overcome the fear of being seen and lead with confidence, plus stories of women who’ve gone from invisible to unstoppable.
Ready to dive in?
What Does It Mean to Be Invisible as an Entrepreneur?
Invisibility isn’t just about avoiding social media or staying off the stage at events. It’s the quiet ways you shrink yourself every day. It’s staying silent in meetings when you have an idea that could make a difference. It’s holding back on launching your brand new offer because you’re afraid it’s not perfect. It’s convincing yourself that someone else is more qualified, more experienced, or more deserving to take up space - or that stage - than you are.
Visibility, on the other hand, is about owning your voice, your story, and your space in the world. My colleague and mentor, Erica Courdae, define visibility as “the ability, capacity, and necessity to create impact with your presence.” I love the simple and direct way she approaches this because at the core, visibility is about impact.
It’s about showing up authentically, even when it feels vulnerable or uncomfortable, and for impact-driven female entrepreneurs, visibility is the key to unlocking opportunities, building trust with your audience, and making the difference you know you’re here to create.
The True Cost of Staying Invisible
So why do so many of us cling to invisibility like a security blanket?
Because it feels safe.
But that safety comes at a cost. If you’re a mission-driven entrepreneur, invisibility doesn’t just impact your bottom line; it chips away at your confidence, your purpose, and your ability to create change.
Here’s what invisibility might be costing you:
Missed Opportunities for Growth
When you avoid putting yourself out there, you miss opportunities to connect with the people who need what you offer—clients, collaborators, and supporters who could help amplify your vision.
The Erosion of Confidence
The more you hide, the more you start to believe that you’re not enough. It’s an insidious cycle: fear keeps you invisible, and invisibility feeds your self-doubt. And on and on and on it goes.
Stalled Impact
I don’t know about you, but this one might be the actual worst. If you care deeply about making a difference, invisibility robs the world of your ideas, solutions, and leadership. It’s not just your voice that stays hidden—it’s the potential change you could inspire and create.
Every day you stay invisible, the gap between where you are and where you want to be widens. That’s the real cost of hiding.
Why Now Is the Time to Take Off Your Invisibility Cloak
Here’s the truth: invisibility is no longer an option—not for you, not for your business, and not for the people you’re here to help.
The world is at a tipping point. Every time a woman steps into visibility—claiming her voice, sharing her ideas, and showing up boldly—she challenges the systems that have silenced or sidelined women for too long. This isn’t just about patriarchy or white supremacy, though those continue to destroy the hopes of half the global population. It’s about what happens when women like you bring your vision to life and inspire others to do the same. Who you bring along with you when the doors are closed to them.
As a service-based entrepreneur, your business might not directly tackle the climate crisis or economic inequality, but your voice and leadership can still make waves. When you show up authentically, you create a powerful ripple effect: you inspire your clients, your community, and the people around you to think differently, dream bigger, and act courageously.
Your visibility challenges outdated norms and expectations that keep women small. You’re not just building a business—you’re building a movement by showing what’s possible when a woman dares to show up, speak up, and lead unapologetically.
The longer you wait, the more opportunities pass you by. I’m talking about opportunities to grow your business and to be part of the change you care deeply about. The people you’re here to serve are searching for someone who gets it—someone with the courage to show up and lead. That someone could be you.
And let’s be clear: visibility doesn’t mean shouting from the rooftops or being someone you’re not. It means showing up as you—bold, authentic, and unapologetically aligned with your mission.
Every step you take toward visibility makes a difference. The time to start is now.
Your Next Step: From Invisible to Unstoppable
Stepping into visibility isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. It’s about taking one small step today—whether it’s sharing your story, saying yes to a speaking opportunity, or simply letting people know what you stand for.
You don’t have to do this alone, and you don’t have to figure it all out overnight. That’s why I created The Visibility Breakthrough Workshop.
In this workshop, we’ll tackle the fears, doubts, and challenges that keep you hidden. You’ll learn how to:
Break free from the patterns of invisibility.
Articulate your unique perspective with confidence.
Step into your role as a leader without burning out or second-guessing yourself.
The cost of staying invisible is too high. Your voice, your ideas, and your leadership are too important to stay hidden any longer.
Click here to join The Visibility Breakthrough Workshop today.
The time is now. The world is waiting for you. Let’s make sure it sees what you’re capable of.
