Wishing You a Happy and Prosperous 2020 from Escape From Corporate America!

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Happy Holidays From Your Friends at Escape From Corporate America!

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Bring on the Holiday Cheer for Women Entrepreneurs

At a loss for what to give the most amazing female entrepreneur(s) in your life?  We have some ideas! And many of these are from the creatives over at Etsy.  Have a look and see what you think.

And if you want to go beyond stuff, try these – equal parts fun and fulfilling.

Plenty of companies are also spreading holiday cheer by donating a portion of your shopping cart to worthy nonprofits, ranging from climate change organizations to those that support women in developing countries.

enJOY.

A Business Carol by Laurel J. Delaney

I can't believe I wrote the article below a decade ago!  In the original story “A Christmas Carol,” (first edition 1843) Charles Dickens writes about an old and miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who undergoes a life-changing experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night.

In my article, I talk about how “A Christmas Carol” parallels much of what we do every day within our businesses.  This is done by providing three different perspectives, all with a common theme:  There is still time to make a difference in our world, to learn from your past yet choose to forget certain parts of it to remain relevant and to make improvements in your life and your business in preparation for a more vibrant future.

And remember, Charles Dickens himself was a struggling entrepreneurial author fretting over how he was going to pay off his debt when he penned “A Christmas Carol”  - all 18,000 pages - in just six short weeks.  But this is nothing new on genius spurts because many bright and creative folks produce some of their best ideas under duress.

Explore to read the full story.  I hope you enjoy.

Tis the Season to Be Grateful and Joyful

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

We trust you enjoyed your Thanksgiving and are looking forward to the magic the holiday season brings to each of us.

This time of year is a moment to reflect and be grateful for all the good in our lives, and that includes you dear reader.  Thank you for following us all these years and reading what we have to say.  We appreciate you, and your interest!  It makes us want to write like crazy for you in 2020.

Let's raise our glasses and toast to each other – wishing for a holiday season filled with love, joy, kindness, respect and gratefulness.

Oh, and one last thought for today:  Remember to smile because smiling makes you happier (there's that joy!) and it is contagious. You'll be happier and so will others.

An Iconic Cosmetic Brand Is Resurrected

Two former Chicago-based Johnson Publishing Co. execs, Desiree Rogers and Cheryl Macberry McKissack — who acquired the demised iconic firm’s Fashion Fair Cosmetics at auction less than two months after announcing a purchase of the global Black Opal line — talk about what they see on the horizon.

“We just could not let this incredible iconic brand get away from us, so we went in there, and we were so lucky, blessed, to be the winners,” said Rogers, 60, as the two sat down with the Chicago Sun-Times for an exclusive interview on their journey to a budding beauty empire.

To appreciate Desiree Rogers's background on all the different gigs she's had professionally, visit here.

Read the full article here.

First Woman Entrepreneur in the World?

Sarah Breedlove, known as Madam C. J. Walker, was an African-American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a political and social activist. She was considered the wealthiest African-American businesseswoman and wealthiest self-made woman in America at the time of her death in 1919 [1867-1919].

Walker made her fortune by developing and marketing a line of cosmetics and African-American hair care products for black women through the business she founded, Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company.  She was born, one of six children, in a village in Louisiana, and moved North to develop her business.

Read more about the history of Madam Walker.

Call to Action: Profiling Successful Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners. Is That You?

Here's an opportunity you won't want to miss!  I will be profiling successful women entrepreneurs and business owners on GoDaddy's blog starting this month through early 2020. Think of this as a marketing agency representing you for a one-off moment.

GoDaddy doesn’t just have hundreds or thousands of readers at their blog — they have millions. So this is a very good opportunity for a business owner to get great media coverage and increase their SEO rank at the same time.

If you or someone else you know would like to be profiled on the GoDaddy Garage site (https://www.godaddy.com/garage/) -- send me an email.  This opportunity is on a first-come, first-serve basis on who gets featured and there is a nominal charge involved. No competing firms will be featured under my pen. The first profile is due November 25th and that has already been filled. Take a look at some of my past articles for GoDaddy. My approach will be to have these profiles be similar to the one you see on Lifeway Foods CEO Julie Smolyansky.

Look forward to hearing from you with your interest.

This Billion Dollar Business Was Born Due to the Founder's Cellulite Problem

The Fastest-Growing Sector of American Entrepreneurship: Women

Over the past 50 years women have gone from owning 4.6% of all businesses to 40%, according to the American Express 2018 Report on the State of Women-Owned Businesses.  We may own a lot of businesses but we still struggle to get a loan when we need one.  Take Lisa Michele Chretien, CEO of Laguna Beach-based EventMover, a transportation logistics company that moves corporate assets for trade and auto shows, domestically and internationally.

Lisa needed a line of credit to grow her $3.5 million in annual revenue business, was looking for a loan of about three-quarters of a million dollars in credit, but instead, hit a wall.  She went to 25 lenders in Orange County and every single one said no.

See what she did and how she overcame a roadblock, one that persists for the fastest-growing sector of American entrepreneurship:  women.

Hint:  She finally got her line of credit, but only after her accountant approached a lender he had done business with for years.  As she tells it:  "I felt like I had traveled back in time, before 1988 and the passage of the Women’s Business Ownership Act — when women were required to have a male relative sign a business loan."

Make Time in Your Schedule for Fun

Corcoran Group founder Barbara Corcoran has seen many a business rise and fall. Her own success story is one of scrappiness and eternal drive.

Since selling her eponymous business for $66 million back in 2001, the bestselling author and speaker has made helping other entrepreneurs achieve their dreams her mission, both as a Shark [the Shark Tank show] and with her own firm, Forefront Venture Partners. She also still has a foot in the world of real estate, connecting homeowners with the best agents.

Entrepreneur Magazine staff writer Nina Zipkin had the opportunity to ask Barbara 20 questions -- from how she starts her day, to what's the best advice she ever took, to how to make time for fun in your schedule.

What Does An Entrepreneur at the Helm of a Successful Startup Look Like?

Hold on to your hats ladies!  Even though the wind isn't blowing, you will be blown away happily by the following notion.

Women who’ve embarked on new careers in their 40s, 50s and 60s are among some of the most successful entrepreneurs!

Yes, you read that right.  If you are thinking that you are too old to start a business, guess again.

Just the facts:

“Eighteen-hundred and 21 of you [women entrepreneurs] a day in the United States are building companies,” said Brooks (52.9 years young :-), referring to a 2018 study of business women commissioned by American Express.

She [Brooks] goes on to say:

"It [later stage entrepreneurship] just means that our life experiences have given us more depth, so not only can we be more successful at this age but we can also share with those who need to hear more perspective.”

Read on, power up and get going!

Access to Capital for Women and Entrepreneurs Is Important for Innovation, Economic Growth and Job Creation

22 female entrepreneurs from across the U.S. met in Washington D.C. last week at the Women’s Entrepreneurship Roundtable, hosted by the newly created bipartisan U.S. Senate Caucus on Entrepreneurship, Center for American Entrepreneurship.

"As a female entrepreneur [Tina Tran Neville], I find this extremely disheartening.  My startup, an online English language platform called Lana Learn, seeks to connect with the 2 billion people learning English globally, but with limited access to capital I cannot grow my company to meet demand."

Here's what else Neville had to say after attending the meeting:

While we have long way to go to support access to capital for women and entrepreneurs in general, I did walk away encouraged. I am encouraged by the creation of the U.S. Senate Caucus on Entrepreneurship and the engagement of the senators, staffers, and entrepreneurs in attendance. I am also encouraged by the work that the various organizations did to make the Women’s Entrepreneurship Roundtable a reality: The Center for American Entrepreneurship, The Kauffman Foundation, and startup ecosystems around the country like Create33.

Read more about why 22 female entrepreneurs met in Washington D.C.

"While we have long way to go to support access to capital for women and entrepreneurs in general, I did walk away encouraged." – Tina Tran Neville

What's Happening With Women-Owned Businesses?

Women are increasingly harnessing their entrepreneurial spirit and it is critical to encourage and support this behavior, eliminate obstacles, and facilitate growth of their businesses. Unlocking the potential of women-owned businesses represents a powerful opportunity for economic growth.  These are words to describe the state of women-owned businesses from American Express, Ventureneer and CoreWoman.

The 2018 State of Women-Owned Businesses report, commissioned and provided by American Express, examines the periods 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2018, looking at trends in the number of firms, employment, and revenue by various groupings.

This report focuses on women-owned businesses, which are defined as businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by one or more females. Over the past 46 years, women of all ages have become business owners in droves - from baby boomers and Gen Xers to millennials and younger generations.

Explore the report's findings.  See how you fit in on the grand scheme of things. Oh, and important detail:  the report was prepared for American Express by Ventureneer with the support of CoreWoman.

30-Seconds of Calm for Women Entrepreneurs Brought to You By Laurel J. Delaney

While I was out walking today, I captured this 'bird' moment. You, too, can create your own moment of calm -- every day.  Just remember what Albert Einstein said, "The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind."

Women Entrepreneurs Make Room to Read

Hello ladies and so happy you continue to read our posts here at the Escape From Corporate America blog.  For those who just joined us, last week we shared 5 fantastic podcasts to listen to in your spare time and this week we share 5 great books to read that offer wisdom, motivation and life-changing experience.

Have a happy Saturday and be back with you in a week! Meanwhile, get listening and reading :-)!  That's the only way to stretch yourself and grow your business.

Pressed For Time to Expand Your Learning? Try These 5 Podcasts

Our friend, colleague and queen of small business, Melinda Emerson, shares a great list of 5 podcasts you should listen to if you only have 30-45 minutes.

1. Marketing School
2. Real Money Talks
3. The $100 MBA Show
4. Eventual Millionaire (little longer – 45 minutes)
5. Online Marketing Made Easy (slightly longer – 30-45 minutes)

Melinda's complete article can be found here.

The Fearless Fund for Black Women Entrepreneurs

A $5 million venture capital fund to support startups created by women of color has been launched by Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam.  She has teamed with entrepreneur Arian Simone to make this happen.

“The Fearless fund is designed to change the narrative as it relates to funding allocated to women of color,” says Simone.

Read more about the venture capital fund for black women entrepreneurs.

Stuck in a 9-5 Job?

Kathryn Roberts is here to help if you’re feeling stuck in your 9-5 job and dreaming about living life on your own terms.

As the founder of Quest for $47, Roberts teaches women how to generate passive income to establish financial freedom and live abundantly without relying on a 9-5 job that may only cover your bare minimum income needs.

Sound too good to be true?  It isn't.  Read more about how to live a life filled with passion and abundance.

Books to Inspire Women Entrepreneurs

If you’re experiencing some kind of entrepreneurial struggle, odds are high that you aren’t alone.  These books below offer plenty of hard-won entrepreneurial advice or simply provide inspiration if you need to take action.

The Best Books for Women Entrepreneurs

Oh, and if you are growing leaps and bounds locally but want to expand globally, check out this book, it's mine :-).  

What's the Best Advice Given to You as a Female Entrepreneur?

Whether you give good advice or receive it, it's really the spirit of helping one another that matters.  In the article below, South African women entrepreneurs answer two key questions:

1. What was the best advice given to you as a woman entrepreneur and how did you action it?
2. What would you advise women entrepreneurs starting their journey now and in light of the current business climate?

Find out what they said here.

When You Win, You Must Express It Big Because You Earned It

Watch this amazing moment when entrepreneur Monique Ntumngia found out she won $100,000 for her work helping rural African communities.  Monique is a winner of Visa's Global Competition for Women Entrepreneurs.  

When you win, express it big because you earned it.  Let it all out -- that joy and happiness!

Have Big Dreams (Video)

Comfortable is Sexy

Two former Anthropologie buyers have created a lingerie store that celebrates all women.  The name of their company is Hidden Intimates and it operates under the mantra that "comfortable is sexy."  Agree?  I sure do.  You have to be who you are – and always, always be comfortable.

With a mission that focuses on telling stories instead of presenting a manufactured idea of beauty, Hidden Intimates channels the current thinking around undergarment fashion.

Read how two friends turned a dream into a reality but meanwhile, check this out:

But things are going well. Since launching three months ago, Hidden Intimates has sold about 50 pieces to people from all over North America, they said. One person ordered from Texas, and another from Canada. On trend, the most popular item is the “everyday lace bralette,” which has no wires and sells for $18. Each one gets shipped by hand from [Flo] Mcilwaine [co-founder's] house in Atlanta, where she still works a day job as a buyer for Home Depot.

Join Laurel Delaney in New York 7/18 to Learn How to Export Successfully in the Digital Age

The first in New York-based NEXCO's 2019 seminar series on what you need to know to sell your products in markets worldwide, this is where to start building your export sales strategy.

Lead presenter, Chicagoan Laurel Delaney, will discuss how to use the digital tools that level the field for small and mid-size businesses, launch and scale-up export sales, and avoid the 6 mistakes new exporters most often make.

Plan on joining in on the after-seminar reception for wine-tasting and networking with the NY metro exporting community.

To learn more and to register, visit here.

Happy 15-Year Anniversary to the Escape From Corporate America Blog!

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

For all of you who have been following our Escape From Corporate America (EFCA) adventures, you know it's been quite some time since we have been blogging -- some 15 years!  For the newcomers, can you believe it?  We can't because time flies when you are having fun, living your dream, and helping others live their dream too with starting a business.

We launched Escape From Corporate America officially on July 2, 2004 and since then, we have had more than 806,000 readers (not quite a million but we'll get there thanks to you).  We average about 10,000-15,000 readers a month now!  Take a look at our second post in 2004 talking about why EFCA was established.  It reads as follows:

This blog has been set up for businesswomen to voice their experiences working in Corporate America. Many women have expressed concern that Corporate America is actively pushing out its most talented women. Have you encountered something similar? What have you done about it?

Has the glass ceiling issue been a major reason for leaving your position? Are you thinking of striking out on your own to start your own business -- as a result of job dissatisfaction?

These are some of the kinds of issues that need to be openly discussed. If we do not challenge the system, no improvements will ever be made. Feel free to weigh-in with your comments. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!

So grab your tall glass filled with your favorite beverage and toast to the Escape From Corporate America blog:  "To many more blog posts about helping female entrepreneurs go from corporate America to starting their own business!"  And to you dear reader, I thank you for your readership and for starting a business.  Read on!

Podcasts for Female Entrepreneurs

Happy Sunday everyone!  As you kick back, soak in the sun or drive to your best secluded getaway, give these podcasts a listen.  ForbesWomen contributor Bianca Barratt says:

Podcasts, in my [Bianca Barratt's] opinion, remain one of the greatest resources for entrepreneurs, offering mentorship, guidance and expertise from successful businesswomen for free.

Learn more about some really good podcasts for female entrepreneurs.

Photo by Juja Han on Unsplash.

Follow Your Heart on Innovation

Here's an article I wrote for Thrive Global, "Creating a Culture of Innovation:  Learning From the Best."  It's about following your heart and intuition on matters of innovation.  When you run a business, you must think about innovation!

In the article I focus on three people:  Walt Disney, Samuel Palmisano and Steve Jobs.  A snippet from Walt Disney:

Lesson: To create a culture of innovation, be straightforward. Listen. Simplify. Do things. Build things. Get something going.

Sound familiar?  Read the article here.

Photo by Taylor Rogers on Unsplash.

Grit is a Mindset for Women Entrepreneurs

Natalie James is a wife, mom of three, entrepreneur, owner and CEO of Toronto’s exclusive blow dry bar — Vent Blow Dry Bar. She believes grit – courage and resolve; strength of character – is a learned behavior.

“To develop grit, look to others who have demonstrated their ability to persevere through hardship and learn from them”

She goes on to say, "Ask them how to stay positive when faced with hardship or how to maintain focus when faced with distractions?"

Life is all about learning and growing.  Find out for yourself what else Natalie has to say. 

Photo by Sammie Vasquez on Unsplash.

Women Entrepreneurs Shape Our Economy Yet Face Challenges As they Persist

Traditionally entrepreneurs have been viewed as innovators who come up with new ideas for the markets, products and various techniques. They have the capability to shape the economy by creating new wealth and jobs and inventing new products and services.

In the case of women entrepreneurs, they are no longer viewed as traditional resources confined to the household, however, despite being educated, knowledgeable and capable of contributing towards transforming economies, women face fundamental challenges trying to enter the entrepreneurial sector.  This is particularly true in India.

Read more about the fundamental challenges women entrepreneurs face and how to overcome them.

Photo courtesy CoWomen on Unsplash

Women Entrepreneurs Whose Smarts Are Rattling Industries Worldwide

The Female Founders 100 are the entrepreneurs Inc. has been most intrigued by in the past year, whose smarts are rattling industries far and wide.  They are scientists, creatives, MBAs, data-nerds, and visionaries. For some, it's the first time they've ever started a company. Others have been at this for decades.

Explore when time permits.  How about now?

Have a Meaningful Memorial Day

Pay Yourself What You are Worth

As more and more women take the leap from Corporate America to starting their own businesses, one of the key factors to ensure the leap goes well is to focus on having confidence.  Many women doubt themselves and their abilities.  Sometimes it just takes a couple of good pals around you to say "you can do it!" The next thing you know, you you can!

Another challenge for women who start businesses is determining what you should be paid.  Don't skimp.  If the money is there, take it, do good work, and be proud.  Here's what a SCORE volunteer mentor says:  

Simply put, women need to be paid what they are worth. A lot of times women feel like that they can’t charge enough. However, in order to be successful in business and remain profitable, a shift in thinking — and a boost in confidence — is necessary.

Read more about what is available to women-owned businesses and what is necessary to succeed in business ownership.

Photo courtesy:  Hust Wilson on Unsplash

Women Leaders Tend to Collaborate Better than Men

Thanks to a new study conducted by Richard Devine, Gonzalo Molina-Sieiro, Michael Holmes and Siri Terjesen, we now have data that shows women-led businesses, in certain scenarios, do indeed perform better than those run by men.

In the research, the authors started by comparing how female-led companies performed in terms of employee growth versus those helmed by men.

The point of the study is not to show that female-led companies – high growth or not – perform better than men.

Rather, our [the author's] research suggests that women do bring valuable and unique skills and experience to the table that can make a significant difference to business success. Yet, given so few companies are run by women, their skills and experiences are not fully utilized.

Learn more about how women leaders tend to collaborate better than men.

Read the study:  Female-Led High-Growth:  Examining the Role of Human and Financial Resource Management

Photo courtesy:  CoWomen on Unsplash

Surround Yourself With People Who Believe in You

Ever have a bad day?  Oh come on, who hasn't?  The important part of being faced with difficult, complicated and high-stake situations as a female entrepreneur is having the ability to face them, head on—and with strength and confidence.  Below, six brave leaders reveal the tumultuous points of their companies and how they were able to handle them and move forward.

One entrepreneur shared the following:

“Surround yourself with people who believe in you, because there will be so many times when you don’t believe in yourself.  Most of us have never started a company before, and most of us don’t come from a background where our parents can bankroll us until we figure it out,” she [co-founder  of Hu Kitchen, Jessica Karp] continued.

Read the article on how women dealt with the worst and came out stronger on the other side.

Photo courtesy Katrina on Unsplash.

Has the #MeToo Event Changed the Way You Run Your Business?

How have you changed the way you run your business since the #MeToo event?

It’s been more than a year and a half since the #MeToo hashtag took off on Twitter, and the movement that activist Tarana Burke started in 2006 became an unavoidable part of the national conversation. Since then, discussions around workplace sexual assault and harassment are being heard in a way they weren’t before. 

Many female entrepreneurs are taking the #MeToo seriously -- definitely not sweeping it under the rug.  Here's what 5 women entrepreneurs are doing and what you can do too to keep the #MeToo issue front and center as you run your business.

After You Work for a Genius, Can You Go Off On Your Own?

Marilyn Van Alstyne (pictured) left working for P. Diddy and started her own business, EMVE Management.  Here's how her thinking went.

“After realizing that I worked alongside Puff for 20 years, I started to think to myself, if I worked for a genius and he has built all of this, what can I build on my own?” After long days of self-reflection, Van Alstyne did what millions of people yearn to find the courage to do: She quit her job.

Keep in mind that Marilyn started working for P. Diddy as an intern and felt she had landed her dream internship.

While still in high school, Van Alstyne traveled 1.5 hours each way to the Combs Office in Manhattan. Back then Uber did not exist, and taxi cabs didn’t come to her neighborhood, so she did what needed to be done.  While only being compensated with two tokens and $5 a day, Van Alstyne dedicated her life to being one of the most reliable and respected women at Combs Enterprises.

She did it all:  answered phones, reconciled accounts, everything to grow a business.  After 4 years, she became an employee. The rest is history.  Did she have doubts before she left?  You bet.

“For a while, I’d ask myself, what if I do not make it? Now that there is no Bad Boy or Puff to lean on, can I do this on my own?” pondered Van Alstyne. 

Read more to learn what happened with Marilyn and how she shares her top 3 money lessons.

Is Being Called a Female Entrepreneur a Label?

Being an entrepreneur is hard -- male or female.

Business owner Susan Guillory (pictured) says:

People like to create two categories for business owners: entrepreneurs and female entrepreneurs. I have never understood why the two have to be separated. 

What about you?  Do you think there is or should be a distinction between male and female entrepreneurs?  Do you find that being called a female entrepreneur is a label?

To brush up, read an old EFCA blog post (9/14/07), "Are Male and Female Entrepreneurs Really That Different?"

Read on to learn additional thoughts from Guillory on this topic, including, how to come up with your own unique style.

Becoming Billionaires

The infographic featured in the article below shows how far women can reach with hard work and perseverance. Highlighting their accomplishments is especially important so it can inspire young girls to go after anything they put their minds to.

Read more about women becoming billionaires.

The Truth About Women in International Trade

There are more than 163 million women entrepreneurs worldwide yet many of them are not global.  Why is that?  That is a question I asked myself many years ago and it troubled me so long that I decided to do something about it.

First, I started exporting products on my own and then, I launched wegg®.  That's when I discovered the real power and strength of taking a business global -- and  learned that women can do it just as easily as men.

Learn more about women in international trade and the birth of wegg®.

Photo courtesy:  CoWomen on Unsplash

The Journey for Women Entrepreneurs Is Challenging

The journey for women entrepreneurs is challenging and requires strength, grit and perseverance.  If it were easy, all women would be starting businesses.  The SBA knows this and wants to put the wind behind the sails of all women who aspire to take an idea and launch a business.  They work at leveling the playing field for women.

SBA says that knowing the right people can make a world of a difference.

We want to do everything we can to connect women entrepreneurs with the right people so they can spend less time trying to get a seat at the table and more time growing their business.

Learn more about the journey for women entrepreneurs.

Photo courtesy:  Andrew Nael on Unsplash

Smile and Have Fun on St. Patrick's Day

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

As an entrepreneur and business owner, don't take yourself too seriously.  Remember to smile and have fun, especially on St. Patrick's Day.

Women-Owned Businesses Are the Growth Engine for the U.S. Economy

Happy day-after International Women's Day!  I hope you celebrated the successes of women entrepreneurs all over the world.

Women-owned businesses continue to be a growth engine for the U.S. economy.  The number of women-owned businesses that applied for funding in 2018 increased by 13 percent, according to an annual study of women-owned companies by Biz2Credit, a leading online credit marketplace for small companies.

But it revealed that loans for women entrepreneurs where nearly one third less than for their male counterparts.

The study also revealed that the average loan amount for women-owned companies was $48,341 last year. The most common type of funding was working capital for business expansion.

Learn more how the lending gap narrows for women business owners, but it's still 31% less than for men.

Photo by Suhyeon Choi on Unsplash.

Experience and Wisdom Matters When Starting a Business

There is no deadline for success, period. As the the Fast Company article says:

For some entrepreneurs, figuring out their ideal industry and starting their own gig didn’t happen until they had already blown out 40 (or more) candles on their birthday cake.

Yes, entrepreneurship can happen at any time.  Tune in to these 3 dynamic women entrepreneurs who launched their businesses after 40 to hear their stories.  Don't wait.  Be inspired.

Photo by rawpixel for Unsplash

Tips, Tools and Resources from the Escape From Corporate America Blog

We feature a ton of resources, articles and opportunities here on our Escape From Corporate America blog to help women entrepreneurs grow but I want to make sure that on occasion, you check out the actual site on the right sidebar to see many of the amazing articles we feature.  Here's a sampling of six:

1. How to Market Your Business Lady Gaga Style
2. 5 Signs of Loosy-Goosy Management
3. From Cupcakes to Moneycakes:  3 Ways to Increase Sales and Profitability
4. Making the Most Out of Failure
5. Turning Limes to Limeade:  Entrepreneurship Can Surface in Many Places
6. 5 Actions for Double-Digit Business Growth

For more, visit Escape From Corporate America!

Women Run the World

I don't care what this article below says; women still and will continue to run the world.  We have our challenges but we know how to overcome them and excel.  Lindsay Tigar, at Fast Company, may not agree with my lead statement but she at least believes the following:

But gradually and strategically—women, if you pay attention to statistics. Over the past two decades, the number of women-owned businesses has grown 114%, compared to the 44% national growth rate for all new companies. As more women venture into entrepreneurship, they will tackle the laundry list of gaps women are continuing to change.

Heck, even the great management guru Tom Peters knows that women rule.

But back to Lindsay.  Read her article on 8 predictions for the state of women entrepreneurship this year.

Sometimes You Just Have to Chill

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

With Chicago's record-breaking low temperatures, it's a good time to hunker down and just think about what's next for a business.  New ideas.  New products.  New partnerships.  New markets.  New hires.

Then when the great thaw begins, execute on all the things you have been thinking about.  What about for you?  What are you working on?  What's next? 

Let's Put Power in the Hands of Female Entrepreneurs

According to Mr. Robert Sauer, a professor at University of London, Royal Holloway and Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies, and written for the Jerusalem Post, when women are business owners, their firms are generally smaller and are less valuable than those owned by men.

Researchers have considered a number of factors that might help explain why a gender gap in entrepreneurship might emerge. The possible explanations include gender-specific approaches to balancing career and family, different choices of business sector in which to operate, a differential aversion to financing one’s business through debt, and greater obstacles for women to access business funding in general.

The article goes on to say that a number of initiatives by policymakers and practitioners have already been introduced to try and promote female entrepreneurship. They include training programs, counseling, mentoring, and access to finance on favorable terms.

I vote that we put power in the hands of female entrepreneurs. What's your vote?

Read more about a better way forward for female entrepreneurs.

Which Countries Are Leading the Way with Female Entrepreneurs?

To create a list of the countries with the most female business owners, the CEOWORLD magazine reviewed the data from Mastercard’s Index of Women Entrepreneurs to find out which countries are leading the way when it comes to women-owned businesses.

The findings show that while the U.S. has the right conditions for female-owned businesses to thrive, women in America’s motivation to start and run a business is low as compared to the countries with high index score.

Interestingly enough, Ghana is top on the list.  The United States placed 23 out of 57 countries studied.  About a quarter of America's entrepreneurs are women.

Visit here to view the entire list.

Sometimes You Just Have to Declare a Snow Day and Rest

Instead of working nonstop, sometimes you just need to declare a snow day.  That's what I did this morning in Chicago.  Here are some photos I took while hanging out downtown.  Wherever you are, enjoy your day!

All photos courtesy @2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.