Courage First, Confidence Follows: Leading Your Business Into 2026
January always feels different, doesn’t it?
There’s something about the start of a new year -a renewed energy, a different perspective and an excitement for what lies ahead. Its often a time for change and working differently, even if nothing drastic changes overnight. January gives us space to pause, take stock, and ask ourselves some important questions.
What do I want this year to feel like?
What will I intentionally do more of – and less of – this year?
And who do I want to become as I continue my business journey?
As I write this on 12th January 2026, there’s already a powerful energy around new beginnings, courage, and growth — and from conversations I have already had this year so many women in business feel so much more aligned and motivated for the year ahead.
A new year, a new start
“New year, new start” can sometimes feel heavy – especially in business. It can bring pressure to set big goals, overhaul your life, or suddenly become a different version of yourself.
That’s not what this is about here.
A new start doesn’t mean erasing who you are or everything you’ve built so far. It’s about building from where you are, with more clarity, intention, and self-trust.
For some women, a new start in 2026 might look like:
- Getting clearer on what you don’t want anymore
- Simplifying your business rather than adding more
- Asking for help instead of doing everything alone
- Rebuilding confidence after a challenging year
- Finally saying yes to opportunities you’ve been too afraid to in the past
And for others, it might simply be about giving yourself permission to move at your own pace — without comparison, guilt, or constant pushing. This is a really big topic that deserves a blog of its own, so we will revisit this at a later date.
At WBN, we see all of this. And we hold space for it.
Shedding the old: the wisdom of the Snake
The year just gone carried the energy of the Snake — a symbol of shedding, renewal, and transformation.
Snakes don’t grow by forcing themselves into something new. They grow by letting go of what no longer fits.
And if we’re honest, many women, myself included, have spent the last year shedding:
- Old beliefs about what they should be doing
- Ways of working that drained their energy
- Relationships or environments that no longer felt aligned
- The pressure to constantly prove themselves
Shedding isn’t always comfortable. Letting go can feel unsettling, even when it’s necessary. There’s often a period where things feel exposed, uncertain, or unfamiliar. This was very much the energy of my own 2025.
But shedding is necessary and creates space.
Space for clarity.
Space for confidence to rebuild.
Space for something more aligned to emerge.
If 2025 asked you to release, 2026 now asks you to step forward.
Stepping into 2026: the Year of the Fire Horse 🔥
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse — and this symbolism is powerful for women in business.
The Horse represents:
- Forward movement
- Independence
- Momentum
- Freedom
- Drive and determination
Add the Fire element, and we see courage, passion, and bold action.
This isn’t about reckless leaps or burning yourself out. Fire Horse energy is about backing yourself, trusting your instincts, and moving forward even when confidence hasn’t fully arrived.
And this leads us to one of the most important lessons I’ve learned — both personally and through supporting hundreds of women over the years.
Courage first. Confidence follows.
I had a very bold and strong reminder of this just last Saturday when I attended a Tropic Skincare event (my other business) and the Founder and Leader Susie Ma expressed it beautifully
“Its not about waiting to feel confident its about having the courage to say yes and then the confidence will come!”
Confidence is the inner work we do – how we think about ourselves, how we interact with others, and how we show up in our businesses and in our lives.
Confidence doesn’t magically appear before you take action.
It’s built because you take action.
Here are some actions I encourage you to take in 2026
Say yes — even if you have a wobble in your voice
Show up — even when you feel unsure
Try — even when it feels uncomfortable
Because when you are brave and find the courage to say ‘Yes’ then the confidence will grow.
I know this because I’ve lived it.
There were many moments earlier in my journey where I said yes before I felt ready – to running networking sessions, speaking in rooms, creating safe spaces for women to be honest about their struggles. Confidence came after the courage, not before it.
At the time, I didn’t label it as courage. I just knew that I wanted to succeed, I always wanted to be more than I felt I was, at the time. That desire is what drove me to say yes – even when it was uncomfortable.
This is especially true in business. And I do know this to be true:
“Growth often lives just outside your comfort zone”
It doesn’t live in a place of fear, but in a place of gentle stretching.
The Fire Horse year invites you to ask:
- Where am I being called to be braver?
- What have I been quietly saying “maybe one day” to?
- What could change if I trusted myself a little more?
You don’t need to leap. Sometimes courage is just taking that one small, intentional step.
What are you going to say Yes to this year?
I’d love to know so please share with it with me – drop me an email.
What WBN stands for in 2026
As we move through 2026, the heart of WBN remains the same — but our intention is clearer than ever.
WBN exists to be:
- A safe, supportive space for women in business
- A place where you don’t need to have it all figured out
- A community where confidence is built through connection
- A network that encourages authenticity and vulnerability
This year, our focus is on supporting women to:
- Build confidence in their own way
- Gain clarity in their business decisions
- Feel less alone on their journey
- Make intentional connections that actually support them where they are at right now
We are not here to force you to be:
- Louder
- Something you are not
- Or to change the way you do things if it’s not aligned for you
We are here to help you navigate your journey.
How WBN can support your journey in 2026
Every woman’s business journey looks different, and that’s exactly how it should be. In 2026, WBN continues to support women at all stages — whether you’re just starting out, finding your feet again, or ready to grow with more intention.
Through WBN, you’ll find:
- Structured networking sessions – opportunities to connect with likeminded women in a safe supportive space
- Business Clinics where you can ask real questions and get practical support – every question is welcome
- Guest speakers who share their knowledge and expertise for the benefit of others
- A community of women who get it
This isn’t about networking for the sake of it. It’s about connection that supports you — personally and professionally.
And just as importantly, it’s about knowing you don’t have to do this alone.
This is what one member said about our business clinic this week
“Alongside running a business, I’m also supporting ageing parents and if you’re in that season of life, you’ll know how the balancing act can sometimes feel relentless. The logistics, the emotional load, the quiet worry… and how easily the overwhelm can bubble up when you least expect it.
Being in the company of such supportive women felt like permission to simply be me. To be real. To show emotion without judgement. To talk honestly about life as well as business, because the two are never truly separate.
What really stood out is that in this group, no problem feels too small or too big to share. There’s always someone willing to listen, reflect, and help you move forward”
Your journey, your pace
One of the things I care deeply about is reminding women that there is no single “right” way to build a business.
Your journey is valid — exactly as it is.
Whether 2026 is about growth, consolidation, rebuilding, or rediscovery, you deserve support that meets you where you are.
This year, I encourage you to:
- Honour what you’ve already overcome
- Trust the wisdom you’ve gained
- Say yes to what feels aligned (even if it stretches you)
- Let go of what no longer fits
The Fire Horse doesn’t stand still — but it also doesn’t apologise for moving forward.
A final thought as we begin 2026
If you take nothing else from this, let it be this:
You don’t need to wait until you feel ready.
You don’t need to be more confident to take the next step.
You don’t need permission to want more — or something different.
Courage can be quiet.
Confidence is built through action.
And the right support changes everything.
As we step into 2026 together, know that WBN is here to walk alongside you — supporting your growth, your confidence, and your journey, in whatever way feels right for you.
Here’s to a year of forward movement, aligned choices, and believing in yourself a little more than you did before ✨
