It's Not Just About The Money

“Being wealthy isn’t just about money,” says Elizabeth Potts Weinstein (pictured), founder of The Wealth Spa (holistic wealth for women entrepreneurs). She adds, “We hear many stories about wealthy people who are miserable.

What I like to teach people is to learn how to make money in such a way that they maintain balance in their lives. It’s about health; it’s about mindset; it’s about spirituality and fulfillment.”

An attorney and licensed financial planner, Weinstein left a “Big Law” law firm to start her own business in 2003. She began her home-based venture as a personal financial and estate planner but found clients were asking her questions pertaining to their small businesses. “At first I would help them out pro bono but then I realized that this kind of advising and coaching could turn into a business,” she says. Soon she began focusing her work on the micro small business owners (defined as businesses with 1 to 9 employees) and mompreneurs. “I teach people how to turn their fun hobby into a real business that makes money,” she states.

Read more about Weinstein and her company here.

May I give you a HINT?

Good pitch by a PR representative:

In a time when it seems like all we hear about are small businesses failing, there are a few out there that seem to find the right combination of business smarts and determination to create a successful business.

I would like to offer you founder of HINT Essence Water (www.drinkhint.com), Kara Goldin, a mompreneur (of four!) who found success in an industry she did not have experience in.

As a former AOL exec, Kara has an extraordinary track record of business success, transforming concepts into reality. As VP of Shopping and E-commerce, Kara grew AOL’s shopping business from startup to more than $1 billion in revenue in less than seven years.

While drinking a glass of water with a slice of lime, Kara was surprised to see that instead of a bottle of juice, her daughter wanted to drink what Kara had in her hand -- simple, no calories and no junk -- just ice cold refreshing water with a HINT of lime flavor. Thus, the concept for HINT was born.

Now HINT, which started as a small start up is a multi-million dollar international success with distribution in Whole Foods, Stop & Shop and www.drinkhint.com.

What a story and right in line with this blog about how women escape successfully from Corporate America into entrepreneurship. Kara made the leap just fine. Congratulations!

The Do-It-All-Yourself Trap

"Yes, I can do that. Tomorrow you say? No problem. I just have to drop my son off at daycare, take my mom to her doctor appointment, pickup a couple of groceries on the way home and finish the client project I've been working on for two weeks by the close of business today."

Sound familiar? Despite we do it all by juggling a million things at once, there's still a dream we are living when we take on running our own business.

Here's a great little article that reminds us why we do what we do and how we might do it even better by following the advice of these women entrepreneurs. For example, find out how to get out of the do-it-all-yourself trap and make sleep a priority.

Read the entire article here: "In Quest For Family Time, Women Start Businesses."

I Enjoy Working For Me!

You may enjoy being a girl but running your own show is probably even more fun! Take Ms. Gill's story, for example:

Her own franchise Maxine Gill, 46, of Laurel, Md., took her career in a new direction after she was laid off last year from her job as sales and marketing director for Comcast.

“I enjoyed what I did, but I knew I was not going to retire from that job,” she said. It was the second time she had been laid off.

“Marketing always seems to be first to go,” she said.

Earlier this year, she struck out on her own, investing $50,000 to $60,000 in a franchise, College Nannies & Tutors. Her company hires people (taking care of the tax and paperwork headaches) and places them with families for temporary or long-term duty.

“Everything is on my shoulders, but I enjoy working for me,” Gill said.

Read more here.

Pictured: Nancy Kwan, star in Flower Drum Song

Are You Thinking Big Enough?

During these tough economic times, are you thinking BIG enough to keep your your business thriving?

Running out of ideas? Well pay a visit here to get your BIG thought juices flowing!

Note: Above poster can be found here.

Get Off Your Butt and Start a Business

It's a beautiful day in Chicago. Perfect for soccer, biking (which I did), running (which I did) and hanging out along the lakefront (which I did). But the one thing I am wondering right now is, how many of you got off your butt today and instead of playing, started a business?

Did you? If so, let us know. We'll celebrate. Tell us how you came up with the idea, what you did to make it easy to get started and where we should go to find you.

Toot your accomplishment horn loud and clear. We're all ears.

Peace of Mind: Business Ownership

Five (5) reasons to start a business in a recession. Ooops, make that six (6) because peace of mind (good night's rest) is one!

5 Reasons to Start a Business in a Recession

Women Entrepreneurs Already Take Calculated Business Risks

The best of all worlds is a combination of men and women in business who understand the importance of compromise and push on to innovate better!

But let's set the record straight first before you jump to the article. Women entrepreneurs already do this:

The authors actively advise women to try and take proper credit for their actions, for example by properly communicating what they have achieved and even allying themselves with known risk-takers within an organization.

Read article here.

I had no idea that the London School of Business has a Center for Women in Business! Did you?

Pictured: Amelia Earhart, aviation pioneer and author.

Truths for Winning at Business

If there is one business book you must read before you die, make it this one: "Rules of Thumb: 52 Truths for Winning at Business Without Losing Your Self" by Alan M. Webber.

Watch for our interview with Alan (one of the sharpest minds on our planet) coming soon at OPEN Forum by American Express OPEN.

In the interim, learn more about "Rules of Thumb" here.

We Can Get By With a Little Help From Our Friends

Greg Holden (a fellow Chicagoan I might add) reports:

A bill that just passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is being introduced in the Senate is intended to help entrepreneurs who are most in need. Women, veterans, and Native Americans would get education, training and financial support to help them start their own businesses.

See, we can get by with a little help from our friends (take a break; Beatles clip here).

More information on how this new legislation will benefit women entrepreneurs can be found here.

Women Move Women

Nearly 100 women spanning across the United States have given at least $1 million to raise a total of $174 million.

But why?

Part of this movement is caused by Women Moving Millions.

Discover more here.

Hat tip to The Black Gospel Blog (www.theblackgospelblog.com/) for the link.