Fear must be somewhat of a taboo topic for women entrepreneurs. I learned this the hard way at a recent local networking meeting. I was delighted when my name was called to be in a hot seat for some coaching from the participants. I always have a topic I could use advice on, so I asked the group "how should I market my new tools that help women entrepreneurs deal with the fears that come up in the running of their businesses?"

What was interesting is I got eager comments about fear from all of the *men* in the room. The women just stood silent (except for two later in the conversation).

Well, that's telling, I thought.

I've had similar brush-offs at NAWBO with a couple of the women who I know just had to lay off staff. Come on, now, who isn't scared when something as dramatic as a layoff rips through the company you created with your bare hands?

So what's going on here?

The only thing I can think of is that some women are too afraid to admit they're afraid. Perhaps because some people perceive it as a weakness to display fear, they aren't willing to admit it in public.

Whether you are willing to admit it in public or not, I want you to know right now that fear is normal (the lack of fear is abnormal, that's for sure). What's important is that you admit it to yourself.

A majority of the more than 100 women I am around in these pressure-packed, high-growth coaching, training, and mastermind programs are all freely, openly scared to death. They're also growing like mad, taking on astounding business opportunities including TV, keynote speaking on a big stage, running their own events, and connecting with celebrities and millionaire business owners that are past the stage they're at.

So what does fear have to do with running your business? The short answer is, just about everything.

Fear is a sign of growth in both yourself and your business. If you're not afraid, you're stuck, and so is your business.