Multimillionaire serial entrepreneur cried the first time she made ‘real money’—but not in a good way: ‘Wealth doesn’t erase your problems. It magnifies them’
Sony GroupSony Group(US:SONY) Fortune·2025-10-08 10:03

Core Insights - The article discusses the emotional challenges faced by successful entrepreneurs, particularly focusing on the experience of Emily Lyons, who felt fear rather than joy upon achieving financial success [2][4]. Company Overview - Femme Fatale Media Group, founded by Emily Lyons in 2009, is a leading North American event-staffing and marketing agency based in Toronto, which has grown into a multimillion-dollar business with over 20,000 event professionals [2][3]. - The company serves high-profile clients, including L'Oréal, Red Bull, Sony, and Grey Goose, as well as other Fortune 500 companies [2]. Entrepreneurial Challenges - Despite achieving financial success, Lyons experienced imposter syndrome, a psychological phenomenon characterized by self-doubt and feelings of being a fraud despite evidence of competence [5]. - The article highlights that wealth does not eliminate problems but can magnify them, as expressed by Lyons [4]. Support and Resources - The article references a study indicating that women transitioning from traditional employment to entrepreneurship often face imposter syndrome, but cognitive restructuring, mentorship, networking, and social support can be beneficial [6]. - Other successful female entrepreneurs, like Katrina Lake, have also reported experiencing imposter syndrome, suggesting it is a common issue in the industry [7].