When you hear the words “gentle business” what immediately comes to mind?
Let’s explore some common myths about what it really means to do business gently.
As someone who’s built a gentle business from the ground up, I’ve learned that gentleness isn’t about being soft or weak. It’s about having the strength to do business your way. Think about the gentlest people you know – they’ve often been through the toughest challenges. The same goes for business.
Let’s clear up what a gentle business really looks like.
- It’s built on strong boundaries and clear values
- Growth happens through aligned action, not constant hustle
- You can be both gentle AND successful
- It’s about working smarter, not sacrificing your well-being
The truth? Running a gentle business actually makes you stronger. You learn to make decisions based on what truly works for you, not what everyone else is doing. You build deeper connections with your clients. And yes, you can still hit those big goals – you’ll just do it in a way that feels right for you.
Breaking Down the Myths
Let’s talk about what people get wrong about gentle business.
First, they think it means you’re weak or indecisive. But here’s the reality: setting boundaries and saying “no” to things that don’t align with your values takes serious strength. When you run a gentle business, you’re actually more decisive because you know exactly what works for you.
Another common myth? That gentle means static – no growth, no progress. Nothing could be further from the truth! My clients who embrace gentle business principles often see more sustainable growth because they’re making decisions from a place of clarity rather than chaos. They’re not throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. Instead, they’re taking intentional steps forward.
Now, let’s tackle a big one: the hustle myth. Here’s something that might surprise you – I’m not totally anti-hustle. Sometimes you need to put in extra hours before a vacation or push through to meet an important deadline. The difference? In a gentle business, hustle is the exception, not the rule. You plan for it, you know why you’re doing it, and you build in recovery time afterward.
And last but not least, a gentle business is a boring business. A gentle business, an aligned business, a sustainable business is often way more fulfilling. It’s one built on connections, community, helping people solve problems, and celebrating their wins.
Making the Shift
- Ready to embrace a gentler way of doing business? Start by asking yourself these questions:
- What would my ideal workday look like if I didn’t follow anyone else’s rules?
- What parts of my business feel forced or draining?
- When do I feel most aligned and energized in my work?
Remember
Shifting to a gentle business model doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about making small, intentional changes that add up to a more sustainable way of working. Maybe you start by setting better boundaries around your work hours. Or perhaps you begin saying no to clients who aren’t the right fit, even if they’re ready to pay.
The beautiful thing about gentle business? It grows with you. As you learn more about yourself and what works for you, your business can adapt and change too. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here – it’s about creating a business that fits YOUR life, not the other way around.
Ready to explore what gentle business could mean for you?
Start by questioning these myths and imagine what your business could look like if you allowed it to be both successful AND gentle. Because trust me, you don’t have to choose between the two.
Listen to the episode to learn more about these 4 myths about designing a gentle business.
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Start with my Weekly Reset Routine Mini Workshop
It’s designed to help you create a stress-free weekly schedule in just 30 minutes or less.
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TRANSCRIPT:
[00:00:00] **Marta Goertzen**: In our recent episodes, we’ve explored what it means to do business gently and how to build a gentle business. Today, I want to address some common misconceptions about what a gentle business is and isn’t. One significant myth is that a gentle business is always an anti-hustle business. My perspective on this might surprise you.
[00:00:32] Hey there! I’m your host, Marta Goertzen, and welcome to Doing Business Gently, a podcast for women who are ready to think and do business from a place of purpose and intention. If you’ve wondered what it means to have a gentle and aligned business, you’re in the right place.
[00:00:50] This is a safe space where we discuss life-business integration and approach creating a life-first business—one that aligns with your values, priorities, personality, and current season of life. We explore ways to find business clarity so you’re not constantly second-guessing decisions. We also discuss how faith and business can work together, and importantly, how to operate from a foundation of rest.
This Episode is Brought To You By:
[00:01:32] This episode is brought to you by the Weekly Reset Routine Mini Workshop. This workshop is designed for Christian women entrepreneurs who want to de-stress their weekly business schedule in 30 minutes or less. If you want to start your Monday morning feeling prepared and ready to face a new week, this workshop is for you.
[00:01:55] You’ll learn:
- – How a simple weekly routine can help you stay on track
- – How to plan for and remember important life and business commitments
- – Quick ways to slow down, breathe deeply, and prepare your heart and mind for the week ahead
[00:02:11] This simple routine can become a healthy habit that grows with you and your business, regardless of your business stage or life season. No more scrambling because of forgotten appointments or projects. No more uncertainty about what you can and can’t commit to. Face Monday knowing what can be adjusted when emergencies arise—because they will.
[00:02:51] Start building this healthy habit today at https://SelahStudios.co/weeklyreset
Understanding The Word Gentle
[00:03:02] Looking up “gentle” in resources like Merriam-Webster online, you’ll find definitions such as calm, kind, or soft. It’s described as being free from harshness, sternness, or violence. It’s considered a fruit of the Spirit and appears in the Bible. Interestingly, in its archaic form, the word “chivalrous” appears. While you’ll also see words like “docile” and “delicate,” that’s not what we’re discussing here.
[00:03:47] Consider some of the gentlest people you’ve met. What have they experienced? If you know their life story, you’ll likely find tales of hardship and overcoming. Or in nature, think about large horses or dogs—often called “gentle giants.” They understand their strength and choose to restrain it. They can even respond appropriately to humans or animals, showing gentleness when needed. This isn’t about being docile or delicate—it’s about strength under control and developing empathy, crucial elements in building a gentle business.
Four Myths About Designing a Gentle Business
Myth #1: A Gentle Business is Soft or Weak
[00:04:53] Truth: A gentle business emerges from experiencing challenges in life and business. It involves implementing intentional, purposeful boundaries and knowing how to maintain them. It’s built on your values and priorities, keeping them at the forefront. A gentle business draws from your experiences and knowledge of what works for you.
[00:05:36] As noted in a Psychology Today article by Ryan Niemiec, “gentleness operates with an unwavering steady hand that knows its path forward.” This perfectly describes entrepreneurship in a gentle business—it’s about knowing your direction. When you’re constantly second-guessing decisions and lacking clarity, that’s not a gentle business. A gentle business is, in fact, a strong business.
Myth #2: A Gentle Business is Static with No Growth
[00:06:26] Truth: A gentle business grows through strong decision-making and action, aligned with your energy levels, values, priorities, goals, and focus. Action and growth are essential—you don’t have a business without them. Feeling stuck and static isn’t gentle or healthy; it’s stressful.
[00:07:20] Taking action provides clarity, which encourages more action. This builds confidence, leading to even more clarity. As you better understand yourself as an entrepreneur and what works for you, you create a more aligned business that’s gentler than traditional entrepreneurship models.
Myth #3: A Gentle Business is Anti-Hustle
[00:07:48] Truth: This isn’t entirely accurate. While I’m not anti-hustle, there’s nuance here. Sometimes hustle is necessary for specific reasons or seasons. The problem arises when hustle becomes the norm rather than the exception.
[00:08:22] If you need to work longer hours before a vacation or due to unexpected commitments, that’s purposeful hustle with a clear endpoint. You know you’ll return to your normal schedule. The key is recognizing when hustle is appropriate for your business and when it’s becoming problematic.
Myth #4: A Gentle Business is Boring
[00:09:45] Truth: This couldn’t be further from reality. By slowing down and developing deeper connections with clients and subject matter, you can build an aligned, sustainable business that’s deeply fulfilling. The women in my mastermind and coaching programs have designed businesses that work for them, built on connections, community, problem-solving, and celebrating wins.
[00:10:31] While this approach may not suit everyone, particularly those with naturally higher energy levels, you can still develop a gentle business that prevents burnout. Define what gentle, hustle, and anti-hustle mean for you. Examine how these concepts align with your personality and needs.
Closing Thoughts About Designing a Gentle Business
[00:11:20] If you’re feeling overwhelmed and your body signals need for a break, step back and evaluate. Consider what’s working, what isn’t, and what’s causing stress. Use these four myths to examine your own misconceptions about gentle business.
[00:11:53] Check out our previous episodes for more information on building a gentle business. I’d love to hear your thoughts—reach out via Instagram DM or through my website at https://SelahStudios.Co.
[00:12:16] Before we wrap up, please take 30 seconds to leave a rating and review. This helps get these episodes in front of other women who want to learn about doing business gently.
[00:12:37] Thanks for joining me today as we explored four myths about gentle business. Next time, we’ll discuss what to do when everything feels overwhelming. Together, let’s continue learning how to create a simple and sustainable business where you can do business gently.
Marta Goertzen is a Gentle Business Coach and founder of Selah Studios, host of the Doing Business Gently podcast. She helps Christian women entrepreneurs over 50 rediscover who they’ve become, realign their business to match, and fall in love with their work again, gently, at their pace, without starting over. As an avid photographer and lover of the outdoors, she daily explores the trails and beaches of the South Central Oregon Coast with her dog Mochi in tow. Take the free Business Alignment Audit as your gentle first step, a way to pause, get honest, and see clearly where you and your business are right now: https://SelahStudios.co/alignmentaudit