It is true that women start businesses because they want to take control over their work/life balance and have more satisfaction in how and when they work.

In my experience from reviewing business plans, both from men and women, men focus more on how they will make money where women pay greater attention to developing their target market. These are generalities I know, but when explored further women entrepreneur's greatest fear raises its ugly head.

This fear is the "elephant in the room", I explain to the woman entrepreneur in question. The losing control of the business and not being able to do it all!

I've witnessed this fear in women entrepreneurs in retail as they investigate the opportunities of opening up a second location -- NO, you can't be in two places at the same time. And, women entrepreneurs providing services, such as legal, accounting, bookkeeping, marketing - in order to grow you must delegate the client work to others and either hire staff or outsource to trusted professional in your industry. And, women entrepreneurs creating a product - you can't expect to be skilled at inventing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling -- YOU CAN"T DO IT ALL!

This fear of losing control happens at various times for various reasons and is not just an issue for women entrepreneurs starting sole proprietorships. I've witnessed it at women-owned businesses with as many as 10 employees. It is this fear that often holds women back from real growth.

Why is it men are so much more willing to delegate and put others in positions of power?

Is it possible that women who owned their own businesses believe that the only way they can prove their worth is if they micromanage every aspect of the business?

Is the fear not really one of losing control, but of being found out as less than perfect?

Remember, most women start their businesses because they feel out of control working for others. The idea that this can happen after putting in the extraordinary effort it takes to go out on their own is a fear that is very real --- and it holds many women's businesses back from being as successful as they might be.

As women entrepreneurs we must identify and accept the elephant in the room - the fear of not always being in control. Without fear there is no change and without change there is no progress. Fear provides the stimulus we need to move out of your comfort zone and grow.

Once you have taken control and launched your own business, it is time to delegate some of that control to others who have the experience to help you build a successful viable company.