ACTSHEON™: Set Aligned Rates to Honor Your Worth and Your Wellbeing

So you’ve taken the leap.

You’ve stepped into entrepreneurship with your heart in one hand and your business idea in the other. You’re showing up, building something from scratch, maybe even juggling a 9–5 while pitching clients, setting up systems, tweaking your website after midnight, or nervously hitting “send” on proposals you’re scared to price too high. 

And—there it is. That little voice. 

“Who do you think you are to charge that?”
“Are you really worth this much?”
“Maybe I should just lower the price to get my foot in the door…” 

Sound familiar? 

Friend, if no one else has told you today: You are not alone—but we’re not letting that voice run the show anymore. 

Here’s the truth no one says out loud enough: undercharging yourself is a form of self-neglect. 

When you consistently lower your rates out of fear or people-pleasing, you’re not just losing income—you’re eroding your peace. You’re over-giving. You’re under-resting. You’re overcompensating. And that is a fast track to burnout. 

Mental wellness isn’t just bubble baths and journaling. It’s setting boundaries. It’s valuing your time. It’s about choosing clients who recognize your worth and value it. 

Protecting Your Peace Starts With Pricing Like You Respect Your Value 

This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about identity. Ownership. Leadership.
Because when you set your price, you're not just putting a number on your service. You're declaring how you value your energy, your time, your gifts. 

And that declaration? 

It sets the tone for everything that follows. So, let’s walk through how to reclaim your confidence, set aligned rates, and stop apologizing for taking up space in the entrepreneurial world you’ve chosen to lead in. 

Step One: Know the Landscape (But Don’t Get Lost in It) 

Start with research—not comparison. 

Quietly check what others in your industry are charging. If you're a coach, consultant, creative, or product-based entrepreneur, this matters. It’s not to copy—it’s to calibrate. 

Examples:

• Leadership speakers might charge $2,500–$7,500 for a keynote.
• Business consultants often range from $150–$500/hour.
• Branding strategists might charge $2,000 for a VIP day or $7,000+ for a complete brand suite.
• Product-based business owners can factor in time, production, marketing, and positioning. 

This isn’t about being the cheapest or matching your neighbor. Chasing “affordable” is an endless—and broke—race to the bottom. 

Instead, align your price with your value, your outcomes, and the position you’re claiming in the market. 

And if you’re new? 

That doesn’t mean you undercut yourself. It means you anchor yourself with intention. 

Your rate should not feel random. It should feel rooted. 

Step Two: Break Down Your Value—Not Just Your Time 

Let’s say you’re offering a $3,000 package. Someone asks, “Wait, for just 90 minutes?” 

Girl, pause. Because it’s not just 90 minutes. 

It’s:

• The years you’ve invested in your expertise.
• The strategy behind how you deliver results.
• The customization and preparation before that 90-minute call.
• The clarity you bring that took years to cultivate. 

You’re not selling time.
You’re selling transformation. Access. Experience. Outcomes. 

Start practicing this shift in your own mind first. Because if you don’t believe it, no client will. 

Step Three: Say Your Rate Without Flinching 

Let’s practice it together. 

“My consulting package is $6,000. That includes two strategy days, a full implementation roadmap, and email support for 30 days.”

Or. 

“The investment for this branding suite is $4,500. It includes a visual brand identity, brand voice guidelines, and two rounds of revision.” 

Say it clearly.
Say it calmly.
Say it without explaining why you're “worth it.” 

And then—pause.

Don’t talk yourself into a discount before they even respond. 

Confidence doesn’t mean arrogance. It means clarity. 

If You’re Just Getting Started... 

You might think: “But I’m new! Can I really charge that much?” 

Yes—and. 

You can start where you are and still stand in your value. Start by creating a starter offer or a pilot rate, but always anchor it with language that reflects your professionalism, not your insecurity. 

Example: 

“I’m currently offering a pilot package at $2,000. This includes a 60-minute strategy session, a tailored action plan, and 1:1 email support for 7 days.” 

Notice how different that sounds from:

“I’m just getting started so I’m only charging $500, but I can do more for less if needed…” 

The first version says: “I’m in business.”
The second says: “I’m available for bargaining.” 

What to Say When They Push Back 

Sometimes people just don’t have the budget—and that’s okay. But here’s how to respond without shrinking: 

“Thanks for sharing. If your budget shifts, I’d love to reconnect. I also have a scaled-down option at $1,200 that delivers core results, without the full implementation plan.” 

Or.

“I understand. I’m happy to recommend resources that could support your goals in the meantime.” 

See what we did there?

• No backpedaling.
• No begging.
• No erasing your value to land the gig. 

You didn’t start a business to be at everyone’s beck and call.
You started it to make an impact, and that deserves to be respected—and compensated. 

Let’s Be Honest: This Isn’t Just About Money 

This is about how you see yourself.

How you name your rate is often how you see your own capacity, credibility, and courage. 

Do you say:

“Whatever works for you…” 

Or. 

“My rate is $3,500, and that reflects the strategic planning, coaching, and outcomes built into our engagement.” 

Do you enter conversations with:

“I’m just excited to be here…” 

Or. 

“I’d love to bring this work to your organization. Here’s the scope and investment.” 

You don’t have to show up grateful for scraps in spaces where you bring gold. 

Let’s Burn the “Pick Me” Energy 

You are not charging too much.
You are not being difficult.
You are not “new” in a way that erases your insight, story, or soul-deep understanding of what you do. 

You’re building something real.

So price like a business.
Pitch like a leader.
Speak like a woman who knows that her presence is valuable. 

And if you ever feel shaky? Remember:

The woman across from you might be wishing she had your courage.
So give her someone to model. 

Your ACTSHEON™ Mental Health Challenge 

1. Choose one of your current offers (or a future one you’re dreaming up).
2. Write out your pricing and a value-based statement that explains why it’s worth that much.
3. Practice saying it out loud, in the mirror, with a friend, or into your phone recorder.

Say it until it feels natural—not rehearsed.
Say it until your voice stops cracking and your shoulders rise instead of curl.
Say it like your business depends on it—because it does. 

This is the season you stop second-guessing your rate, your role, and your right to be here. 

You are not for everyone. And that? That’s your power. 

Your rate isn’t just a number. It’s a boundary. A declaration. A signal to your nervous system that you no longer have to hustle for worthiness. 

As we honor Mental Health Awareness Month, receive this: 

You are allowed to take up space without apologizing.
You are allowed to rest without guilt.
You are allowed to be paid well and still be kind.
You are allowed to build a business that sustains you—not just one that impresses others. 

Let the month of May—and every day that follows—be the time you reclaim your energy, honor your boundaries, and raise your rate. 

Not just for your business. But for your well-being. 

So go set your price—with heart, with context. And, yes, say it with your chest. 

And then? 

Watch what—and who—rises to meet you. 

Because peace? 

That’s the real profit.