Celebrating International Women’s Day comes with a variety of perspectives and reflections.

For us, as a women owned-and-operated company, we think of not only how far we’ve come in our individual lifetimes, but the immense power women hold when we work together to create, to build, and to succeed in the face of obstacles.

It is how we own and claim our individual powers and strengths, how we push ourselves to learn and grow, and how we care for ourselves that allow us to continue to lift each other up.

At Teakie, we’re dedicated to helping our clients define who they are as they consciously grow and run brands and businesses.

So without further ado, in an ode to the powerful women we work with every single day, here are eight tips to help you stand in your power and take charge so you can build a business—and a life—you love.

Jump-To:

1. Communicate clearly 
2. Know what you want 
3. Take calculated risks 
4. Understand the numbers 
5. Define your principles 
6. Stop saying sorry 
7. Strive for excellence 
8. Stand in your power

1. Communicate clearly

We each have our own personality and style, and being able to develop your voice to reflect who you are will help you navigate business and entrepreneurship in a way that feels natural to you.

Communication is key in business and in life, and speaking, writing, and communicating clearly and with confidence is a skill that requires continuous development.

2. Know what you want (and how you want it)

Define what you want, and how you want it. There is no in between.

We all are so many people in a day. Mothers, sisters, bosses, partners, and more. As women, we tend to give so much of ourselves to others. But when we define what we want out of life—and how we want it—we are that much more attuned to our goals and are more likely to make choices that allow us to bring these dreams to fruition.

3. Take calculated risks

Building a successful business requires risk, one way or the other (a difficult reality if you’re a bit risk-averse).

The good news? There are ways to make sure these risks make sense for both yourself and your business. By conducting a deep analysis of your industry and balancing the pros and cons of the risk, you can confidently move forward by understanding that sometimes you have to go all-in.

4. Understand the numbers

Financial literacy is often not something that comes naturally to most people—and yet, it is those with an understanding of how the numbers work that run the world.

Understanding the financial industry is imperative. After all, it is often men who lead big banks and the financial system. Women should, too.

By understanding how money works on a micro and macro scale, you’ll be in a better position to take those risks and build economic power.

5. Determine your principles

One of the best parts of getting older is defining who you are, and who you want to be.

Knowing your values, and living by them day in and day out, serves as a guiding light through many decisions, big and small.

6. Stop saying sorry

Do you find yourself saying “sorry” when asking questions, or feeling like you were too harsh when requesting that your overdue invoice be paid as soon as possible?

For many women (ourselves included), saying sorry is a learned symptom of feeling as though we have to navigate the world gingerly; a symptom of not being listened to for so long or feeling unable to take up space.

You do not need to apologize for your power, for being too loud, or making direct requests. Your words, your action, and your perspectives are necessary.

7. Strive for excellence

No matter who you are, or where you are on your journey, excellence is achievable, even in the smallest of moments. Cream always rises to the top.

8. Stand in your power

Defining for ourselves who we are, what we do, and the ways in which we choose to move through the world are a direct result of acknowledging—and owning—our unique power and strengths.

Stand in your power every day and understand that who you are, and what you are doing in this moment is more than enough.

Living is an artform—and you exist in beautiful ways. We would love to continue this conversation. When do you feel like you are standing in your power?