40+ Female CEOs and Entrepreneurs Share the Lessons They've Learnt to Get to the Top

This article appeared in House Cultures and has been published here with permission.

Starting a career is difficult, and women can face a lot of additional barriers if they're entering a male-dominated field. In those cases, a little advice from other women who have been in your shoes can go a long way. These businesswomen were all here to impart some of the most important lessons they learned on their way to their goals.

Believe in Yourself

The first step to being a talented and respected businesswoman is actually internal. No matter your specialty, confidence is the key to success.

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It's really important to remember that you have goals, and you chose those goals because you're passionate about them and have the skills to achieve them. You can face a lot of opposition in your career, so it's essential to remember that you have ambitions and that it's worth it to go after them.

Learn to Say No

There's something to be said for a go-getter who's always ready to take on her work without having to worry about if she's going to complete it reliably.

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However, many women try to appeal to the next generation to remember that you can say no to tasks. If you need to focus on what's already on your plate, you can say no to a task and admit that you don't have the time, space, or energy to take something else on. Sometimes, it's about quality - not quantity.

Let Them Know

In your career, you'd be surprised how many projects you work on by yourself, only to hear them announced anonymously or as a general product of the company.

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While there's a place for humility, recognition comes with, well, people knowing what you did. This woman urges young women to not only take credit for their work but also make sure their work is known to people who can help them as mentors and give them even more advice.

Ask for Help

Once you have mentors, you can't just expect them to spout wisdom at you like Yoda all day. Of course, listening to them in general will help.

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However, too many people are afraid to ask questions, and through that, they miss out on valuable lessons. Ellison Anne Williams, founder and CEO of Enveil, says that you can't possibly learn everything that'll help you in your career if you never ask questions.