Shine Bright Like a Star in 2018

©2017 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Joy.  Healthy.  Prosperous.  Inspire. Dare.  New business.

May Your Dream Business Come True in 2018

©2017 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Happy Holidays

May Your Dream Business Come True in 2018

Dip Your Toes Into the Gig Economy

One of the best ways to eventually start a business is to dip your toes into the gig economy first. Clueless on ideas?  I've got it covered. USA Today author Jenny Knizner offers a little inspiration for what you can do with your talents. Here are some personal business ideas to help get you going.

Read more about eight personal business ideas that might lead to starting your own business.

Support Women Entrepreneurs This Holiday Season

©2017 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Tis the season to be jolly and support businesses that employ, empower, and bolster women entrepreneurs around the world.

Here are companies led by visionary women who are using their businesses to employ more people and create planet-friendly products.

Learn more about the ultimate holiday gift guide for women, and by women entrepreneurs.

It's a Magical Moment When a Ladybug Lands On You

©2017 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

According to Mom.me:

Some cultures believe seeing a ladybug brings good luck. The person may then succeed in love, have good weather, experience financial success or simply receive some other desired wish. Other cultures presume having a ladybug land on you brings good luck, or that whatever a ladybug lands on will be replaced with an improved version.

So, I had a ladybug land on me and the first thing I did was take a photo!  Now it's up to me to make it magical for a lifetime.

Never Let Obstacles Get In the Way of Starting Your Dream Business

For a person with a disability, it can be very hard to get a job or take care of others.  That's what prompted Hattie Allen to start Helping Hands For Homemaking And Companionship. Hattie is blind and takes care of her ailing husband and elderly mother. She also watches her grandkids on an as-needed basis.

So far, Allen has one employee at her business, but she hopes to expand. Her goal is to hire other people with disabilities because she knows how difficult it can be for them to find work.

Allen says:  “I do not let any obstacles get in my way or stop me from doing what I have to do.” She goes on to say:  “I keep on pressing.”

Good advice for all of us.

I Wanted You to be the First To Know: I Am Launching an E-Commerce Site

Like you, I've been contemplating whether to start a new business, this one e-commerce.  I hosted an amazing Global Small Business Forum in Chicago in October and the theme was e-commerce.  I was so inspired by the stories business owners shared about running successful e-commerce businesses that I decided to start one myself.

So, again like you, I must take it one step at a time, minimize risks and only focus on upside potential.  First, I had to come up with a name that makes sense for what I am about to do, and second, I had to reserve a domain name.  I've done both today (11/18/17).

I figure if Tory Burch and Rebecca Minkoff can do it.  So can I!

I'll keep you posted on developments because I want you to be the first to see the site when it's all done.  Wish me luck!

How to Maintain and Surpass Your Dad's Legacy Running a Business

The West Philadelphia-based minority business enterprise, Watts Facility Solutions, specializes in providing commercial janitorial services, window cleaning, carpet and upholstery cleaning and post construction cleaning. The company serves corporations, educational institutions, government agencies and medical facilities.

Theartis Watts started the business in 1956 by offering window cleaning services.  Yvette Watts (pictured) Theartis's daughter, joined the company in 1989 as a part-time supervisor while she was in college and subsequently took on advanced managerial duties.

Watts and her father worked together for 10 years and when he passed in 1999 she assumed the responsibility of becoming CEO and running the business.

Watts said networking through entities such as The Enterprise Center, the African American Chamber of Commerce of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council has been a key aspect of helping expand her client base.

Learn more about what else has propelled her to the top of her game in running a business.

Leverage Social Media to Grow Your Business

I use LinkedIn to strategically connect with people who can help me grow my business and I write articles every once in a while about importing and exporting.  I use Twitter to post events, articles and helpful tips about anything to do with taking a business global (oh, and on the weekend, when I run, I post pictures of areas I run by).  On Facebook, it depends on my mood, but I typically post fabulous Chicago pictures, Like a lot of other friend's Pages and post an occasional article or event I am hosting on international trade.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg.  My goal when I post on social media, is to create value for people in the global trade space.  See what other social media platforms I leverage to become a savvy global marketer.  I even share a few tools for monitoring your competitors.

Here you go ... access a few tools and tips for savvy global marketers.

Women Business Owners Are an Impressive Economic Force

Women are an impressive economic force, now. Imagine what they could achieve with some help from lawmakers.

October is National Women’s Small Business Month. There’s big news happening every day, so why should we focus on women small business owners?

Because women business owners—the vast majority of whom own small businesses—make up more than a third of our economy. And women start businesses at a rate five times higher than the national average. Clearly, women are driving economic growth, making it more important than ever that we recognize and supercharge their economic might.

Let's celebrate women small business owners!

Her Dream Come True

The love of creating and crafting initially led Joyce Stinnett to craft shows and launch Little Red Rooster, a unique home decor store featuring candles, craft items, jewelry, purses and more.

“I make a lot of my stuff,” she said. “My future daughter-in-law helps me, and my son cuts items out for me. My husband helps me also. I want to provide unique gifts; I strive to have different items in my store that one wouldn’t find elsewhere.”

Stinnett has made her dream come true by starting her own business.

Hurry! Only 6 Days Left to Register for our Chicago Forum on 10/20

©2017 GSBB Media LLC.  All rights reserved.

If you are thinking about setting up an e-commerce business or want to grow what you have already started, you should attend this event held in Chicago on Friday, October 20, 2017.

Name:  Global E-Commerce Explosion (GEE)!

Why:  Four (4) reasons why you should attend:

1. Network with entrepreneurs, business leaders, business owners, top executives, young professionals and students.
2. Enjoy and learn from experienced business owners who run multimillion dollar e-commerce companies as they share their perspectives and stories on expanding their businesses internationally.
3. Connect with seasoned international trade experts who can help you grow your business globally.
4. Be eligible to enter an exciting raffle for a chance to win special prizes donated by the speakers' companies.

Time:  7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Central time

Location:  The John and Kathy Schreiber Center, Loyola University Chicago, 16 East Pearson Street, 9th floor, Chicago.

A big shout-out to our sponsor:  MB Financial and event host Loyola University Chicago, Center for International Business, Quinlan School of Business.  Without them, this program would not be possible.

To learn more (full lineup of speakers) and to register, visit: http://www.globalsmallbusinessforum.com.  For my Escape followers :-), use code GSBF25OFF to receive a 25% discount.  I'll be there.  See you there!

Entrepreneurship Is a Valid Choice For Women

The video, "What They Don't Teach in Business School about Entrepreneurship" is a tad long but worth listening to every word, especially from Nazila Alasti of Jooners, because she says, "entrepreneurship is a valid choice for women."

It's Fine to Source Your Products From All Over the World

©2017 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

When you try to make a quality product as cheap as possible, it's perfectly fine to source your goods worldwide.  But you must be truthful and fully transparent on where the product comes from or where a largest percentage of it is made.  That is designated on product labelling (as shown).

It is a known fact that most of Ivanka Trump's product line is made overseas.  So why the hush hush about it?  Because the White House is keen on highlighting American-made products.  They'll just have to remember not to include Ivanka's.  No problem.

Note:  Not a very good photo -- I captured it while at a second-hand shop :-).

Join Us 10/20 in Chicago for Our 3rd Annual Global Small Business Forum

Good afternoon Corporate America Escapers!  I wanted to let you know about a Forum my company is hosting on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 16 E. Pearson Street in Chicago from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Central time.  It's our 3rd Annual Global Small Business Forum, sponsored by MB Financial, GlobeTrade.com and Center for International Business Loyola University Chicago. The forum helps entrepreneurs like you and small business owners take their companies global.  This year's theme is e-commerce and what a lineup of speakers we have.

Two in particular you won't want to miss:

1. Andrea Sreshta, co-founder of LuminAID.  LuminAID was featured on ABC’s Shark Tank in 2015, received offers from all 5 Sharks, and made a deal with Mark Cuban, the company’s first investor.
2. Jennifer Bayon, Vice President of International Sales for Paris Presents.  Jennifer leads the brands’ business development in over 60 countries, outside the United States.

Here's the full lineup of outstanding speakers.  And we have an amazing group of local partners on this!

I hope to see you there to meet up in person!  To learn more and to register, visit:  http://www.globalsmallbusinessforum.com.

Women Entrepreneurs Who Work Tirelessly to Help Other Women Entrepreneurs

The Greater Stockton (California) Chamber of Commerce has selected Gillian Murphy (pictured), a champion of local entrepreneurs, as its 2017 ATHENA Award recipient.  Ms. Murphy is a long-time advocate of small business and a mentor to female entrepreneurs throughout the area.

About ATHENA International:

ATHENA International is a non-profit organization that seeks to support, develop and honor women leaders through programs that we administer in partnership with ‘host organizations’ from local communities. These programs inspire women to reach their full potential and strive to create balance in leadership worldwide.

To attend the luncheon at the Stockton Golf and Country Club (11/16/17) or find out more about the ATHENA Awards, visit stocktonchamber.org/athena-awards/ or call (209) 547-2770.

Congrats to Ms. Murphy!

Go Offline, Make Friends, and Find Mentors

A new website -- aiming to give women a safe platform to help them meet like-minded women face-to-face -- was created by a husband-and-wife team from Toronto and is helping women find their own "elletourage."

What is "Elletourage?"  You must visit their website.

"What we [the husband and wife team] hope is you'll meet online and then you'll take that conversation offline and become friends wherever you are," co-founder Sam Chung told CBC Toronto.

Learn more here.

Be Honest About What You Want in Life

Before starting her own company DB+co, Debra Bednar-Clark was the global head of strategy and growth at Facebook, and spent time as Microsoft's director of US market strategy and engagement.

She told Business Insider that figuring out whether you're ready to leave a job starts with being honest about what you want.

Here's what else she said:

"I think one of the things that it can be really easy for us to do is build a career we think we should do instead of one that is really aligned with who we are in that moment."

Read more ... + explore Debra's great little blog here.

Screenshot courtesy of DB+Co

The Cupcake Junkie

Opening her own cupcakery -- the Cupcake Junkie -- was something Robyn Selders always wanted to do but never thought would happen.

For the past five years, Selders had been teaching the Read 180 program at Woodlawn Middle School. But in 2016, she didn't feel "the butterflies" that usually came with the start of a new school year.

That life became routine.

Her new life plan was simple:  sell cupcakes like she had been doing for the past three years, substitute teach and drive/deliver food for Waitr. That would be enough to pay her bills.

Learn more here on how it all worked out.

What Can Women Entrepreneurs Learn From Other Creative Women Entrepreneurs? Plenty.

Bet On the Business, Not on Your Life

There are challenges on the road to business success.

We’ve all heard stories like this. Maybe you have a friend who started a business and went into serious debt like me [Chad Boyda]. Or an uncle who let his business destroy his marriage. Or a ruined friendship after a partnership didn’t work out.

In the article below, Chad shows you what he learned about starting a business the hard way, and how you can do it without experiencing the same hardships he did. He covers four key points:

1. Proven techniques to come up with great business ideas
2. How to validate your business ideas before spending a dime
3. Four ways to scale your business with maximum return and lowest risk
4. How to NOT fail in business

Read more ...

Work Less for More Success

How many times have you said to someone, "I am working my a*^ off but I love what I am doing!"  But what if I told you that rest is as important as work?  Yes, according to the article below, rest will really propel you to new efficiency heights.

The answer isn't to forego work for sleep or vice versa. It's to make sure you have the right amount of time for both. By learning to work smarter, you can become a better leader -- and a healthier one, too. Here are four ways to work less and achieve more.

Read:  4 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Work Less For More Success

Savvy Women Entrepreneurs Don't Work Alone

Our friend and awesome reporter Geri Stengel at Forbes says:

The most successful entrepreneurs don’t do it alone. That holds true for men and for women but particularly for women. 

She goes on to say:

Only other women see, hear and feel what women do. Women face different challenges than men: their access to capital and markets is restricted. What do you get when you problem solve with a group of women entrepreneurs? 

Take a look at what members of  the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO), a peer advisory group, and organization I am extensively involved since 2003 as the Chicago Chapter Chapter chair, found.

The #1 Secret to Success Women Entrepreneurs Need to Share

Meet Up With Us in Chicago at the First Urban Craft Distilleries in the U.S.

Through a nonprofit I manage, Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global, we have a really cool on-the-ground program coming up on Tuesday, September 19 from 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Central time in Chicago. For all my Chicago fans, I would LOVE an opportunity to meet you in person!

Here are the details on the program.

But let me add this:  Even though the program focuses on taking a business global (my passion), we will also have fun touring the world famous KOVAL Distillery.  Not hear of it?  Well then you've been living in a cave :-).  Read the phenomenal press about them here.

Anyway, hope you can join us.  If you are going and want to let me know in advance, email me at: ldelaney(at)womenentrepreneursGROWglobal.org.

Look forward to seeing you there.  To learn more and to register, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wegg-icnc-export-workshop-tickets-36226102247

Google Developers' Launchpad Build (GDLB)

Google Developers’ Launchpad Build (GDLB) comes under the Launchpad Accelerator Program.  They have selected 11 startups led by women entrepreneurs in order to train them.

Through the programme, the selected women entrepreneurs will get a chance to help promising startups achieve rapid progress in a short time. This will be done through focused 1:1 mentorship from Google and Industry Experts.

Read more and learn about the shortlist of women entrepreneurs here.

$50 Million Donated by USA to Female Entrepreneurs!

The Trump administration will give $50 million to a female entrepreneurship project championed by Trump's daughter, Ivanka.

To help unlock the potential of women entrepreneurs, the new Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), led by the World Bank, will enable more than $1 billion in financing to improve access to capital, provide technical assistance, and invest in projects and programs that support women and women-led SMEs.

Read more ...

Sexual Harassment Is 'Never' Business As Usual

Oh I am not going to go into detail here with my lead to this post.  You have to read the article to believe it.  The title gives it away:

Sex for Funding? Silicon Valley Reeling After 24 Female Entrepreneurs Speak Out

Photo:  Chris Sacca (apology letter)

Be Daring and Disruptive

Small Business Trends talks about a new book to help you push through that barrier between prospective to actual entrepreneur. It's titled, "Daring & Disruptive: Unleashing the Entrepreneur," and according to SBT, it is probably your best bet. The book helps you understand how you can leverage your non-traditional path as an asset instead of an obstacle to entrepreneurship.

Go girl.

Read more ...

The Great Outdoor Entrepreneur

Becoming a member of Amazon Exclusives program was a game-changer for founder Kelly Fedio's business One Savvy Life, a lifestyle accessory company.  She was able to generate annual sales for her products in the seven figures within two years.

“We seek to fulfill women’s ambition of living a fun and active lifestyle, and bring women distinctive products and experiences and a means of self-expression through our products.”

Visit her company here.  Read more ...

Women Entrepreneurs Are Taking the World by Storm

Several local, national, and international enterprises are owned and headed by strong businesswomen. Gone are the days when women hesitated to start their own company for fear of not being able to dedicate enough time to their families or due to lack of resources.

From contributing to global wealth to supporting their own communities, female entrepreneurs are destroying all physical and mental barriers that are holding them back from ruling the world.

Read more ...

How to Pedal Through Every Stage of Entrepreneurial Growth

Founder and owner of South Carolina-based Pedal Chic (photo credit:  Pedal Chic), Robin Bylenga, opened her women’s cycling and athletic boutique in 2010.  She worked for a bike shop to get experience first and understand customers. She invested $500 for a small amount of inventory of women’s biking apparel and generated $1,500 in sales at an area bike race.

“I’ve had to push [pedal] through at every stage, and there have been setbacks, but the demand is there and growing,” says Bylenga, whose shop is profitable today.

But there is more to starting a business and becoming successful. Oftentimes it takes finding mentors and advisers who can share their experiences with you to grow a business more efficiently and faster.

Read more ...

Is There a Secret to Becoming an Entrepreneur?

Two women entrepreneurs share their stories and secrets to becoming successful business owners. One believes customer service is the key and the other recommends that they have good advisers, a good attorney, good insurance, and  a “trusted network.”

One also highlighted this (and I so agree):

Being an entrepreneur, you have a spirit of you’re never really quite settled,” she said. “When everything is too easy, you’re not quite happy. You’re always kind of looking around like something is missing what should I be doing, is this really what I should be doing, at least that’s how I felt.”

Read more ...

Bias Impacts Whether Women Entrepreneurs Get Funding

Swedish researchers observing government venture capitalists over a year found that they described female and male investors quite differently, and not in a good way.

They suggested that bias, and the way those biases were phrased, may have impacted whether women got funding.

According to the Harvard Business Review article, "We Recorded VCs' Conversations and Analyzed How Differently They Talk About Female Entrepreneurs," male entrepreneurs received positive language (.e.g, bold!) about their "potential."  The women, on the other hand, tended to get a different set of comments (e.g., cautious and nervous) with emphasis on their looks.

Read more ...

Deals in Heels

Tennis star and entrepreneur Venus Williams is set to star in her own TV/entertainment series called Deals in Heels.  She will sit alongside a panel of other female magnates, as a mentor to five talented, up-and-coming female entrepreneurs who will pitch their business/investment ideas.

At a time where gender and pay equality are still major issues in both developing and developed countries, with the gender gap even larger for women of colour and black women, we are really looking forward to a TV show produced by women, starring women and supporting women-run businesses.

Read more ...

When Small Business Owners Dream, Everyone Wins

Recently, the United States Small Business Administration honored Monica Starks, president and C. Denise Griffith, CEO, of Detroit-based GS Group, LLC with the SBA Michigan Women Owned Small Business of the Year award as part of the SBA’s National Small Business Week.

Here's what the Small Business Administration said:

“When small business owners follow their dreams, everyone benefits. They create jobs and drive our economy, and as the world transforms, small business owners are our problem solvers. Faced with social, technological and economic changes, they see opportunities to build."

Learn more ...

How to Complete Self-Certification In Less Than an Hour

Business owner Kiki Ramsey wanted to become certified as a Woman-Owned Small Business because she felt it would help her chances of getting even more federal business. However, she thought she had to pay a third-party company to provide the certification.

She was in for a pleasant surprise when she found out otherwise.  She could go two different routes:

1. Self-Certification
2. Third-party Certification 

The self-certification process is the path Kiki took with the benefit for her and many other female business owners interested in the federal marketplace is that it is free and relatively simple.

You can start the process by viewing this webinar.

Read more here.

Extraordinary Visionaries: Young Female Entrepreneurs

The Challenges and Rewards to Being a Female Entrepreneur

At a recent panel discussion, three female entrepreneurs shared their stories of how they started their businesses, the challenges they faced and the rewards it provided them.  The article below highlights some of their advice.  For example:

“You need a good business plan,” she said. “Any of you who are looking to put a business together, I strongly suggest to you to put that business plan together and research it.”

The entrepreneurs featured are:

1. Robin Phipps of Kearney, Green Thumb Design and Scholarship Coaching for Youth
2. Lisa Johnson of McCool Junction, Kerry’s Restaurant and Catering
3. Ashlee Schneider of Grand Island, Snap Fitness

Read more.

Sharing Best Lessons Learned in Entrepreneurship

Women entrepreneurs share their best lessons learned from their experiences being entrepreneurs.  Here's one tip.

She [Bernadette Reid, from Halifax who runs Sankofa Marketing and Sales] says her best advice for women starting out is to ask for help. Why reinvent the wheel when you can learn from other’s mistakes? She also says women in business shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes: if something isn’t working, try something else.

Read more here.

Natalie Kaddas Shows Us How to Take a Business Global

Photo courtesy: Kaddas Enterprises; Natalie Kaddas, CEO, Kaddas Enterprises with President Obama

For those of you who run businesses where you aspire to take it global, you might want to look at an upcoming WEGGinar™ that takes place tomorrow, 4/5.  The presenter, business owner Natalie Kaddas (pictured), talks about what she has done to bring global success to her company.

The webinar is no charge thanks to Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global (WEGG) sponsors (UPS, BAL and IBM) and if you don't have the time to listen to the recording tomorrow, you can always listen to it later.  I'll be on the call handling the Q&A.  Hope you can join us and feel free to ask questions!  We'll deliver answers.

Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5344517495639686658

On a different yet inspiring note, check out 10 Pioneering Women Artists History Forgot

Meet the Tea Lady

Jennifer Gerdes began selling tea and handcrafted candles and other artisan goods when she started her own business, J. Cottage Industries, four years ago.  Now she has a knack for it and has become known as 'the tea lady'.  She recently opened a formal tea party at the State Farmers Market in The Market Tea Room and Country Store which opened there March 25.

"It's a space that is really all about honoring what's made right here in South Carolina," [Dupre] Percival [owner and operator of Dupre Catering and Events] said. "It's really about hospitality and Jennifer's tea room is the icing on the cake. It's a place for people to sit, talk and just enjoy being together."

Read more here.

You are Never Too Young to Start a Business

Eight-year old Oklahoma entrepreneur Londyn Bond took a trip to a jewelry store, which sparked an idea, and spurred her to start her own business making bracelets.

Londyn's Moments, as it is called, are a range of bracelets that sell from 10 to 15 dollars a piece. Half of the profits goes toward supplies for new products and the other half goes into savings

She makes each bracelet within a few minutes and then sells them to people all over and at different trade shows.

It goes to show you that you are never too young to start a business.  Read more here.

The Good Girl Business Owner

The title of this post is a joke and it goes like this.  From a woman business owner:

“When I had the fan motor in my walk-in freezer [at her business] replaced, I bought an extra one since the guy had trouble figuring out the underlying problem. When I told him there was another fan motor he said, ‘Good girl,’” Ross says.

That's a man acting condescending toward a woman business owner.  So my advice to you today?  When a repairman treats you that way, tell him to take a hike.  Then call the company, report the encountering and say, "Your good little repair person is never coming back here and I will never use your service again."

Read some other far more charming and enlightening small business stories here.

Quit the Rat Race and Start a Business

If Claire and Ian Harrison (shown below) can start a food firm that provides hot food and drinks, you can too, that is, start a business.

Here's the catch.  The Harrison's business was inspired by a hand made camper van, referred to as the Kitchen Kart, which had been touring Mexico.  Ian had created the trailer out of warehouse pallets.

Next up for them?  Handling a wedding with 100 guests next year.

Read more here.

The Future of Business is Female

Love, love, love this:

If you ask some of the most powerful female executives today what the future looks like for women, most of them agree on one thing: It will be better than today. The reason for their optimism? "The business world is not static," says Ellevest co-founder Sallie Krawcheck. "Whereas before, if there were issues in the workplace, a woman had a choice: Stay gutted out, go without information to another company, or go home. Today, there's a fourth really important choice, which is start your own thing.

Read more and watch the great video with insights from top women leaders here.

How to Get a Product Out of a Lab and Into the Real World

Amy Sheng, co-founder of CellScope created a smart-phone attachment for diagnosing kids' ear infections and brought it into the real world.  She and fellow co-founder Erik Douglas, now help the modern family access healthcare more conveniently.

Move Beyond Discussing Barriers to Achieving Success

Female entrepreneurs are showing they are a force to be reckoned with despite barriers and challenges that could get in their way but don't.

“What they see is what they’ll be,” said Iyadunni [founding partner of V-Rock Productions] “Everything I do, they [her daughters] want to do it. We’ve had lots of conversations, and I’ve encouraged them to create their own life using the gifts and talents that have been given to them. They haven’t encountered the same obstacles that I did 12 years ago.”

Many women entrepreneurs encourage other women to get out there early and learn the ropes because starting a business.

Learn a few other tips here.

Anything Can Spur You Into Starting a Business

What typically spurs a woman into starting a business?  It can be anything from wanting control over a one's destiny to divorce or even death of a loved one.

In Aoife Doherty's case, her motivation for starting Derry, Ireland-based Sass & Halo, which specializes in bespoke handmade floral crowns (as shown) for discerning fashionistas, came by accident.

I was bridesmaid for my brother’s wedding last May and for the ‘craic’ [craic is the atmosphere and fun surrounding an event] decided to make some special floral crowns for the hen party. When we posted photos on social media, friends asked me to make crowns for birthdays and other special occasions but it wasn’t until I started getting online enquiries from people I didn’t even know, that I thought I might be onto something.

Since then, she has had a lot of business (HQ shown at left). But the remarkable thing is that Aoife is starting her business just months after the sudden loss of her dad.  She must have that fighting Irish spirit and knows her dad will not only be proud of her but will be wishing her tremendous success.  Just like we are.
 

Run Everyday

As a regular runner, I speak from experience.  Regular exercise isn't just good for your body, it's great for your mind too -- from clear thinking to creativity.  It really helps me do a better job running my enterprises.  Even CEO of Lifeway Foods, Julie Smolyansky, feels the same.

“I try to run every day, and science now shows a positive correlation between running and creativity.  It has helped me maintain a sense of balance. It grounds me and offers an outlet on my most stressful days, and allows me to lean into risk and uncertainty.”

What else enables success for winning entrepreneurs?  Taking chances, following your passion and staying on course, are just a few common mantras that many successful young entrepreneurs practice.

Below are a couple of other secrets from Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg to Spanx founder Sara Blakely who insist their paths were paved with ups and downs, and, most of all, perseverance.

Here they share some of their secrets.

Listen to Your Customers and Adapt With the Times

Ilene Keivel started her career in the health care industry, working in sports medicine and outpatient physical therapy. But her inner calling was centered around baking and decorating. She decided to leave the physical therapy career, work at a cookie bakery for a short while, and then start her own business.  Hence, Geneva, Illinois-based Sweet Natalie's was born in 2012, naming it after her daughter.

When Keivel had changed her diet to gluten-free, she noticed how hard it was to find items that adhered to her diet and were tasty.  That prompted her to change her bakery's business model and develop gluten-free foods, Paleo, low carb, vegan and so forth.  Plus, the bakery was turned into a co-op in 2014 where she invited other bakers to come in on a rotating schedule to bake in her kitchen, which is open 24 hours a day.

What Keivel earned while growing her business is to go with the times, listen to your customers, and adapt.

Read more here.

Screenshot courtesy of Sweet Natalie's

March On Ladies

Whether a mother, sister, aunt, grandma, entrepreneur, activist, feminist, actor, homemaker, or artist, women are changing the world.

Let's support equal rights, women's rights, and human rights in general.

Read more here.

How Can Women-Owned Firms Grow Their Enterprises?

The 2015 State of Women-Owned Business Report (AMEX Open, 2015) estimated that women started 1,200 new businesses every day during the past year, up from an average of 740 a day the year prior. Four out of 10 new firms are now started by women.

Putting the elephant on the table:  The real issue at hand is not getting more women to start a business, but rather providing support to women who are already in business to enable them to grow their enterprises to the next level.

The McKinsey Institute projects that if women business owners achieved the same level of success as their male counterparts, $3.2 trillion in revenues and employ 16 million people.

How can women-owned firms grow their enterprises?  Read more here.