How to Get Finance Ready

Women are also nearly twice as likely as men to rely on family members to fund their new businesses, and young men age 18 to 24 are about twice as likely to start a business as young women of that age.  What factors are at play here?  Women business owners:

• Are more efficient with their money when it comes to launching a new company
• Have less access to capital
• Are wary about the financing process

True or not true?  Regardless, find out what actions you can take to get your business finance ready. 

Read more:  Women vs. Men With Startup Funds, the Gig Economy's Impact, and More

Entrepreneur Ivanka Trump

Ivanka Trump owns her own company.  More importantly, she wore a dress from her own label to introduce her father at the Republican National Convention 7/21/16.  According to the New York Post:

...the 34-year-old mother [Ivanka Trump] of three is putting out the message that she’s an up-by-her-bootstraps, entrepreneurial kind of gal, too.

©2016 Laurel J. Delaney.

Now, the big question becomes:  Where does she make these dresses?  I have a feeling they might not be made in the USA, which leads me to ... her father better take a more favorable position on international trade (TPP, NAFTA, etc.).

Read more:  Ivanka Trump wears her own label's $158 dress to introduce her Dad

It's Still a Man's World in the Aftermarket Automotive Industry

Come on ... research shows that more diverse companies are more profitable.  So what gives when it comes to the old boy's network in the aftermarket automotive industry?

Women business owners have experienced this:

Several female auto business owners said it was commonly assumed they knew nothing about the industry, with customers and distributors asking to speak to men.

They go on to say:

“It is unfortunate to say, but in the field, women are not viewed as competent by their male counterparts . . . the biggest problem is not being seen as having equal intelligence with regards to the trade,” one women told Hachem [St. Clair College researcher Nour Hachem] in a focus group.

Hachem conducted a study for Automotive Industries Association Canada, which entailed surveying owners, employees and hosting seven focus groups for women in the industry across the nation.  The net result is:

Women working in the aftermarket automotive industries say it’s still a man’s world.

Hopefully these issues don't apply to Mary Barra, CEO of GM.

Read more:  Automotive industries still filled with barriers for women.

Are You a Chicago Woman?

Chicago Woman is a magazine and media brand that speaks directly to professional women who live, work and play in Chicago. They tell the stories that empower women, while inspiring them to live their best lives, at the office and at home. Chicago Woman was created to serve as a platform for the women who are the movers, shakers and makers in the beautiful city of Chicago (my hometown I  might add :-)!

Whether you live in Chattanooga or Chicago, you'll find many of the articles featured at Chicago Woman Magazine inspiring and informative.  Here's an example.

Learn more:  Chicago Woman Magazine

Best Beach Reads to Build Your Business

I am not a big beach reader but I love to squirrel away in my home and knock down a business book or two each week.  Everyone has to find their special place to recharge.  Inc. Magazine has put together a wonderful list of great reads for the summer.  One I'm sure to buy is Adam Grant's "Originals."  It looks fabulous.

Read:  Top 23 Business Books You Should Read This Summer

P.S.  I also just finished updating my best-selling Exporting book and the 2nd edition will be ready in early fall.  Watch for more on that coming soon!  Have a great 4th of July holiday weekend!  Oh, one more thing ...

P.P.S.  Escape From Corporate America is 12 years old on July 7th.  We launched EFCA on July 7, 2004. Yay to you for your interest and yay to us for keeping on, keeping on.  To the future!  And thank you for your readership.