8 secrets of highly successful female entrepreneurs that they never share publicly

I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of powerhouse female entrepreneurs who run multi-million (or even billion) dollar empires.

Whether it’s Sara Blakely building Spanx from her apartment with just $5,000 in savings, or Whitney Wolfe Herd launching Bumble and reshaping an entire industry, there’s something uniquely compelling about their journey.

On the outside, it looks like these women have it all figured out. But if you dig a little deeper, you realize they navigate challenges much like the rest of us—except they often have a few under-the-radar methods they seldom discuss in public.

And I’m not talking about generic “work-life balance” tips. I mean the subtle tactics, mindset tricks, and daily practices they employ behind the scenes that the rest of the world rarely hears about.

Below are eight of these lesser-known “secrets” that I’ve gleaned from studying interviews, reading tons of books, and chatting with entrepreneurial friends (including a few female founders).

These insights might not grab the same headlines as a new funding round, but trust me, they’re just as pivotal in shaping sustainable success.

1) They protect their mindset like a fortress

Ever wonder how some of these incredible women make it look effortless when the stakes are insanely high? It’s because they guard their mental real estate like it’s the crown jewels. This goes beyond positive thinking. It’s about knowing who—and what—they allow into their circle.

I once heard Sara Blakely say she learned early on to sidestep people who constantly dampen her optimism. You might not see a public post about it on their Instagram feeds, but many successful female founders quietly step back from relationships or environments that drain their energy.

As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, has noted, “You do not rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.” One of those systems involves choosing your influences carefully.

And guess what? You don’t need a million-dollar net worth to do the same. Whether it’s negative social media feeds or toxic acquaintances, they let go of anything that hinders their focus or self-belief.

2) They keep certain mentors under wraps

If you peruse their LinkedIn, you might see a few of their mentors tagged in an appreciation post. But trust me, the real game-changing mentors rarely get a public mention. Many successful female founders seek guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs or industry experts away from the spotlight.

For instance, the late fashion icon Kate Spade once shared that she leaned on different mentors for various stages of her business. Some of those crucial advisers? You’ve probably never heard of them.

And that’s the point. They cultivate these relationships quietly to tap into deep insights without the added noise of public scrutiny.

Why the secrecy? Because when the cameras and tweets roll in, it can skew the advice and open the door to unwanted opinions. By keeping these mentoring relationships private, they preserve a safe space to ask raw questions and get real answers, no sugarcoating involved.

3) They embrace micro-failures as practice

We all know entrepreneurs who talk about “failing fast and failing often.” But for many female founders, micro-failures are less of a marketing slogan and more of an intentional practice. They’ll test a new product feature on a small audience—or quietly launch a minimal viable version of their idea—just to collect data on what works and what bombs.

I’ve mentioned this before but learning to fail in small, controlled doses can be the ultimate growth hack. These entrepreneurs don’t broadcast every tiny misstep on social media. Instead, they learn from it, iterate quickly, and move on.

It’s a principle reflected in Greg McKeown’s Essentialism: “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” For female founders, part of that prioritization is deciding how to handle failures proactively—and discreetly.

If you’ve ever watched a leading entrepreneur pivot gracefully after a misfire, there’s a strong chance they’d already practiced bouncing back from dozens of lesser-known mishaps in the background.

4) They strategically use “no” (and mean it)

Opportunities are a double-edged sword. The moment a female entrepreneur hits a certain level of visibility, everyone wants a piece of her time. Whether it’s a spot on a panel, a partnership pitch, or a new product collab, the requests can be never-ending.

What most people don’t see? A lot of “nos” go into safeguarding progress. Instead of posting on Instagram, “Hey guys, I declined five offers today,” they quietly weigh the pros and cons and only pursue what aligns with their core mission.

As Warren Buffett famously said, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”

These female entrepreneurs get it. They’d rather channel their energy into a few high-impact ventures than spread themselves too thin. That might mean letting down some folks in the short term, but it pays off in the form of a laser-focused business model.

5) They harness technology behind the scenes

Here at Small Biz Technology, we can’t help but notice how seamlessly these women integrate tech into their operations.

From advanced analytics tools that assess consumer behavior to AI-driven scheduling systems that free up their time, they rarely talk about these digital advantages in public. Most of us only see the polished brand, but behind the curtains is a meticulously curated tech stack that keeps everything running smoothly.

Consider Rihanna and her Fenty empire—she’s not always out there posting about her data-tracking or e-commerce optimization strategies. But you can bet her team is analyzing metrics constantly, from real-time sales to trending social conversations.

One friend of mine—who runs a fashion start-up—swears by automation tools that help her handle customer service inquiries at scale without losing the personal touch. Sure, she could boast about it, but why give competitors the playbook?

So if you ever wonder how they manage to run multiple initiatives without losing their minds, the answer usually involves behind-the-scenes tech strategies no one’s publicly bragging about.

6) They cultivate a small circle of accountability

These founders often have a handful of peers who serve as accountability partners, a concept that echoes Tim Ferriss’s perspective: “You are the average of the five people you most associate with.” But instead of publicizing these “accountability squads,” they keep the group tight and discreet.

Why? Because vulnerability thrives in small spaces. When discussing sensitive business decisions or personal insecurities, they want honest feedback, not an echo chamber. That trust and confidentiality can be a game-changer—especially for female entrepreneurs who sometimes juggle added societal pressures.

For someone like Whitney Wolfe Herd, the circle might include a couple of investors, a close friend who’s also in tech, and a fellow founder.

They meet periodically or talk via Slack channels to share issues, track progress, and brainstorm solutions. It’s less about big mastermind retreats and more about consistent, meaningful check-ins with people who get it.

7) They align their personal brand with deeper values

We all know brand authenticity is crucial these days. But these entrepreneurs take it a step further by ensuring their business mission resonates deeply with who they are off the clock, so to speak.

You might see a press release about a philanthropic initiative or a new charitable fund, but what’s less visible is how intimately tied those endeavors are to their core beliefs.

Oprah Winfrey, for example, is known for philanthropic efforts and empowerment. Yet the real, unpublicized secret is that these actions aren’t just a PR strategy; they’re woven into her personal identity. That alignment is what makes everything feel genuine.

And there’s research to back this up. According to a study in the Harvard Business Review, entrepreneurs who integrate personal passion and social causes into their business models often experience higher employee engagement and customer loyalty.

So it’s not just “doing good” for the sake of appearances; it’s about forging a brand that’s too authentic to replicate.

8) They weather criticism by focusing on their long game

Ever see a high-profile female entrepreneur get torn apart on Twitter or in the press? It’s brutal, and unfortunately, it happens too often. However, what you might not notice is how they handle that criticism away from the public sphere.

They surround themselves with teams who can assess what’s constructive and what’s pure noise. Then they act on what’s useful and discard the rest.

Jordan Peterson once said, “The ability to articulate your own principles and take responsibility for your own development is everything.” These women embody that by staying anchored to their vision rather than letting a single wave of bad press derail them.

They also keep a mental note (or a literal one) of the big-picture vision. Any bumps on the road—from internet trolls to product hiccups—are just short chapters in a much longer story.

So while you might catch a graceful, quick statement in response to public backlash, the real behind-the-scenes work involves doubling down on their mission until the storm passes.

Wrapping things up, but it’s still a big deal…

These are the quieter strategies that often go unnoticed when we talk about successful female entrepreneurs.

We hear about their brand expansions and product launches, but not about the mentors who discreetly guide them, the hidden accountability circles that keep them on track, or the intentional ways they filter out negativity and automate the grunt work.

To me, these insights are often more valuable than any flashy announcement because they show us the subtle mindset shifts and tactical moves that actually drive success. And the best part? You don’t need a massive budget or a million followers to integrate these ideas into your life or business.

Sometimes, it’s the things you don’t proclaim that shape your path more powerfully than any big press release. So if you’ve been thinking about how to level up, consider what secrets you might want to develop on your own—quietly, consistently, and with unwavering intention.

Until next time, friends.