Redefining Success on Our Own Terms
‘’A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.’’
– Coco Chanel
There’s something quietly revolutionary about Coco Chanel’s words. They remind us that identity and ambition are not opposites to be balanced — they’re partners in the dance of a woman’s life and business. In a world that often demands we choose between authenticity and ambition, Chanel’s quote gives us permission — no, power — to be both.
Being who you want is about claiming your space. It’s about showing up unapologetically, whether you’re in a blazer and heels or trainers and jeans. It’s the quiet confidence in your voice during a pitch, the gentle authority in your leadership, and the way you hold your values close even when the business world tries to bend them.
Being what you want is the action
the dream turned into goals, the vision brought to life. It’s deciding what success looks like for you, and then building it, brick by intentional brick. Maybe that’s leading a team, launching a new product, pivoting industries, or scaling back to find balance. What you want doesn’t have to fit someone else’s mould — it just needs to light you up.
And when women come together — as we do in this business networking group — something powerful happens. We remind each other of the “who” and “what” we’ve sometimes forgotten in the noise. We see each other’s potential before it’s fully formed, and we hold space for it to bloom.
But let’s be honest. For many of us, it took time to even ask what we really wanted — and courage to go after it. We’ve had to unlearn the idea that ambition makes us too much, or that authenticity makes us too soft. We’ve battled imposter syndrome, questioned our worth, and juggled a thousand invisible roles while building our businesses.
So if no one has told you lately: you’re doing brilliantly.
You are allowed to build a business that supports your life instead of draining it. You’re allowed to say no. You’re allowed to try something completely new at any age. And you’re allowed to grow slower, rest more, and still be a force.
When we network with other women — truly connect — it becomes easier to believe in that version of ourselves. We see reflections of our struggles and celebrations. We hear stories that expand our ideas of what’s possible. We get to say, “Me too,” or “I hadn’t thought of that,” or even, “Tell me how you did it.”
Coco Chanel built an empire in a man’s world, not because she became someone else, but because she insisted on being herself. That spirit lives on every time we take up space in a boardroom, send a brave email, raise our prices, or decide that enough is enough and choose differently.
So today, ask yourself:
- Who do I want to be in this season of my life and work?
- What do I truly want — beyond the expectations of others?
And then — take one small step toward it.
Whether you’re starting out, pivoting, scaling, or simply surviving — remember, you don’t have to choose between authenticity and ambition. You can be both. You already are both.
You are who you want. You are what you want.
And the world is better for it.
Thank you for reading this month’s blog, Redefining Success on Our Own Terms.
Kelly, Kelly, and Chloe,
Ladies That Do Networking