Project Entrepreneur: Increasing the Number of Female-led High-Growth Companies

UBS has launched a philanthropic program called Elevating Entrepreneurs. The initiative serves under-resourced, high-potential companies by connecting them with people to help grow their businesses.

One of their initiatives is:

“Project Entrepreneur, in partnership with the Rent the Runway Foundation, [which] aims to increase the number of female-led high-growth, economically impactful companies. Program elements include a venture competition, digital hub, multi-city events, and an accelerator program.” 

Learn more:  Elevating Entrepreneurs program helps under-served businesses achieve success

Oh, No Let's Go!

Our tribute to the late Prince.  Beginning lyrics to his song, "Let's Go Crazy:"

"Dearly beloved

We are gathered here today

To get through this thing called life ..."

May he rest in peace in purple heaven.

The Sunny Realities of What It Is Like at the Top

At the  recent Women’s Entrepreneur Festival, a couple hundred businesswomen came together to share their best-kept work secrets. The group discussed the sunny realities of what it’s like to be at the top, or at least somewhere vaguely near it.  Here are seven insider secrets they shared.

1. Cybrids are the future. 
2. If you want to start a business, start small.
3. But it’s important to remember that “it’s very hard to come back from a bad culture.” 
4. Accept that you don’t know everything. 
5. Be able to sell your vision — not just to investors, but to everyone. 
6. Rejection is simply information. 
7. Kim Kardashian and Sheryl Sandberg are two sides of the same coin.

Read the entire article:  7 Insider Secrets From Female Entrepreneurs

A Positive Attitude Can Drive You Almost Anywhere

Ever watch Shark Tank, a place where budding entrepreneurs bring their dreams to fruition?  Kristen Asleson has and in the article below she talks about the importance of attitude when pitching a product.

Having a fresh, positive outlook and attitude can drive you just about anywhere. Even if you financial brilliance and an idea that would make other inventors green with jealousy, without the right attitude, you won't get too far.

Read:  Women at Work:  A positive attitude can drive you almost anywhere

To Get Ahead, Advocate For Yourself

Interesting twist here:  The article below shares a few tips gleaned from a panel of five executive women -- yes, you read that right ... executive women, not entrepreneurs -- who have accomplished a great deal during their careers in corporate America but the conversation takes place during the Women Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship event last week at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center.

Take a look at what the women executives had to say about life in Corporate America:

• "The glass ceiling still exists in the corporate world for women and even though they have cracked the surface, it has not yet been shattered."
• "The glass ceiling is alive and well," said Christann M. Vasquez, president of Dell Seton Medical Center.
• “It’s hard to know even within your own corporation whether you are getting fair and equitable pay,” she said. But some online sites like Glassdoor can provide insight into industry salaries.

And here's to a great ending of the article:

“I learned to have a sense of confidence in myself and not to be pushed around,” she said. “That was to discourage me. That’s what I call dream thieves and I wasn’t going to let anyone steal my dreams.”

Definitely read the entire piece to get your day's dose of inspiration:  How to Empower Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders