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This qualitative paper explores rural women entrepreneurs' motives for joining a female-founded, female-only business network. Using a theoretical framework based on the collective identity, territorial capital and gendered networks, we found that rural women's underlying motives to join the network is to harmonise the perceived dichotomy between their roles as women and as entrepreneurs and pave the way for a successful entrepreneurial journey. Their narratives suggest they prefer to connect and learn in business networks that they feel are extensions of who they are; that is where their identities are maintained and produce a sense of belonging. Network members perceive each other as 'like-minded', which suggests interpersonal congruence and behavioural integration, where they expect social interactions to be conflict-free. Therefore, the women perceived the network as supportive and non-competitive, with the main benefits of building their self-confidence while mitigating the social isolation and feelings of loneliness that characterise rural contexts in Australia. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of female-founded FOBNs as neo-endogenous agents catalysts for shifting social paradigms and fostering a more diverse, equitable and inclusive rural landscape. • Women entrepreneurs in rural Australia see their roles as women and entrepreneurs as conflicting. • Their narratives suggest a lack of self-confidence, low self-worth, and a desire to relate to like-minded people in a safe environment. • They join female-founded FOBNs to harmonise their conflicting roles and succeed in their entrepreneurial journey. • To achieve this, they need to be empowered, feel that they belong, and feel safe and supported. • FOBNs can support personal growth, legitimise women in entrepreneurship and mitigate social isolation in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]