Happy 2024 From Escape From Corporate America

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Happy 2024 from Escape From Corporate America!  Discover six reasons why 2024 is the best time to start a business.  Go for it!  

Love, Light and Laughter

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"Merry Christmas!  Wishing you love, light, and laughter for good memories this holiday season." – Laurel J. Delaney

How to Succeed as a Woman Founder

How to succeed as a woman founder?  The founders of SoulCycle, Poppi, Halfdays, and more offer their best 5 pieces of advice for female entrepreneurs – from what to read — and what not to read — and how to use social media.

Topics discussed ranged from what to do if a male VC laughs you out of the room (in this case, go your own way and get a loan to start your business) to how to fix your company's Target display.

They've got you covered.

The Woman Who Keeps On Giving

MacKenzie Scott, a woman who keeps on giving, is well known for her philanthropic behaviors and surprise donations to organizations. 

Scott helped build tech giant Amazon with her then-husband Jeff Bezos. The couple divorced in 2019. She currently has a net worth of $33.7 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Scott recently announced $2.15 billion in donations over the past year on her website, Yield Giving. She said in the post that the nonprofit donated to 360 organizations, “every one of whom could use more allies.”

The causes are always wide-ranging.  One organization who is hopeful in receiving a gift from Ms. Scott is Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®, an under-the-radar nonprofit who has been around since 2015 and educates women on how to grow their business through global expansion.  To date, they have served more than 40,000 women.

Reshaping Early-Stage Venture Capital (VC) to Better Serve Women Entrepreneurs

Melinda Gates is trying to change the face of power in venture capital (VC) to better serve women entrepreneurs.

Given that VCs cater to a select few, fail on about 80%, and need home runs to pay for the failures, the question looms: can Gates make a dent and leave a legacy?

Discover the five challenges and potential solutions.

Make Time For Yourself This Holiday Season

Take (or make) time for yourself.  Planning or relaxing must be part of your daily list of to-dos, and what better time to start than the holidays?

Here are five things every entrepreneur should do this holiday season. Practice these habits, and you'll notice a change in 2024.

5 Secrets to Building a Billion Dollar Brand

Remember Kathy Ireland?  She skyrocketed to fame as a model at the age of 16, is now the CEO of Kathy Ireland Worldwide — a global empire worth over $2 billion.  She is now one of the biggest names in business. 

Here are her top 5 tips for building a billion dollar brand.

AI Is Not a Replacement for Human Labor

After the release of ChatGPT 3.5 last November, we’re still very much in the early stages of people working out what’s possible with the technology. Everyone wants to know how far it can be taken.

Could AI become a new form of entrepreneurship?

Historically, business leaders would leverage a combination of people and capital to push their enterprises forward. In the last twenty years, that’s expanded to “networks” but in the future, it could involve AI, too.

While some engineers believe AI might be conscious, most agree that it can’t and doesn’t view morality through the same lens as people. As such, it is up to humans to make the best choice for the direction in which to send a business.

AI is not a replacement for human labor.  It's an enhancement.

Women's Representation in the Workforce Is Not Keeping Pace

Here's a look at the common myths about women’s workplace experiences and career advancement, the specific biases and barriers faced by Asian, Black, Latina, and LGBTQ+ women and women with disabilities, and clear solutions that organizations can implement to make meaningful progress toward gender equality.  That’s according to the latest Women in the Workplace report from McKinsey, in partnership with LeanIn.Org, it's ninth year.

Upshot:  Women are more ambitious than ever, and workplace flexibility is fueling them. Yet despite some hard-fought gains, women’s representation is not keeping pace.

Hence, why more and more women are starting their own businesses. Controlling your destiny is a good thing.

Education Around Intellectual Property

The USPTO supports women entrepreneurs and promotes education around intellectual property. 

Please visit the Empowering Women's Entrepreneurship webpage for upcoming events, mentorship opportunities, resources, and tools available through the USPTO.  

The last program they offered, "Women Entrepreneurs: Protect and promote your brand," was in collaboration with the Farley Center in Evanston, Illinois.

Be sure to sign up to receive emails about startup resources and FREE events.

Make Some Extra Cash With a Side Gig

Some people have side gigs – ways to make extra cash – that are even more lucrative than their main jobs.  Take Pinky Chong, for example. 

She’s a physical therapist by trade, but she makes $8,000 a month on the side by selling luxury items from brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Gucci and Hermes.  She has made her extra cash by selling these items on sites like eBay, Poshmark, Mercari and Facebook Groups. 

Find out how Chong got started and how you can, too.

Interested In Learning What It Takes to Go Global?

©2023 Global TradeSource, Ltd.  All rights reserved.

Feel free to join us (I, Laurel Delaney, will be attending) for the 8th Annual Global Small Business Forum:  Navigate Turbulence in the Global Marketplace!  You can join virtually or in person in Chicago on Friday, October 20, from 8:00-11:30 AM CT.

Sponsored by Associated Bank.  Hosted by Foley & Lardner.  

Hear from business owners who know what it takes to go global successfully.  As a fellow woman entrepreneur, I know the benefits to expanding a business globally – now you can discover them, too.

To learn more and to register, visit:  https://bit.ly/3PyjTv0.  Specifics can also be found here.  Hope to see you there!

Reviving An Old School Brand

For 15 years María Obregón, who lives in Northern Chile, has been selling Avon beauty products, turning her work into a family business in which she has been joined by her husband and even the youngest of her children.  "Avon for me means freedom," she says with unconcealed delight. "It means independence. It means fulfilling myself as a woman, as a person."

Recent months have been difficult for Avon and its Brazilian owners, Natura & Co. The conglomerate, which sold its luxury brand Aesop to the French firm L'Oréal for over $2.5 billion, may soon take the same route with another brand, The Body Shop. Natura acquired The Body Shop in 2017 to exploit growing demand for ecological beauty products. But today its priority is to return to maximum profits and spending discipline, prompting a consolidation of assets and interests, reports Reuters.

Avon's challenge as a traditional brand is to be relevant to younger women.  Read on to learn more.

Spontaneous Fits of Joy

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Entrepreneurship: Start With Who You Are and What You Stand For

Founder and Owner Shelley Jack of Sheba Marketing had advised scores of clients on how to market and to strategize for growth but she wasn't prioritizing those lessons to her own business.

She says, "Building that [a] plan and intention into your business is a necessity. You have to start with your identity, who you are and what you stand for, and then make and follow that plan. I [Shelley] enjoy working with businesses and organizations that focus on both business and social impact — those moving and shaping their business to grow and improve the community.”

Learn how Shelley's business has evolved over time.

Challenges Women Entrepreneurs Face and Some of the Most Successful Women to Follow

Business News Daily (BND) asked female CEOs about the key challenges women entrepreneurs face and how to overcome them. Here are seven:

1. Defying social expectations
2. Accessing funding
3. Struggling to be taken seriously 
4. Owning your accomplishments 
5. Building a support network 
6. Balancing business and family life 
7. Coping with fear of failure

Then, in the same article, BND tackles five (5) of the most successful women entrepreneurs based on their accomplishments and net worth. The following ladies made the cut for some of the most successful women entrepreneurs to date. Love them or hate them, they made names for themselves in strong careers.  Oh, and I am adding one more, so make it six (6) – and be sure to Follow the last one, M.H.

1. Oprah
2. Gisele Bundchen
3. Sheryl Sandberg
4. Lady Gaga
5. J.K. Rowling
6. Michelle Hayward   

Read the entire article here.

Successful Black Female Entrepreneurs Are Climbing Even Higher Mountains

Black women leaders in the United States are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs. 

Historically, Black females have earned less than men and white women with the same education and experience. 

As the country continues to fight for equality in funding, the workplace, and in every aspect of life, many impressive Black women are creating a runway for generations to come and climbing even higher mountains.

Find out who some of these successful black women entrepreneurs are here. 

America's Richest Self-Made Women 2023

Female entrepreneurs.  Women business leaders.  Those who have made it and those who aspire to make it.  These women are driving change, transforming business and making a significant impact on the world. 

Collectively, the 100 women on the list have a record high net worth of $124 billion, up 12% from last year. List members have built careers in a range of industries, including healthcare, entertainment, financial services and technology. 

AI is already having an impact, helping drive up the fortunes of semiconductor firm AMD’s CEO Lisa Su, who is preparing for battle in the coming AI revolution against Nvidia, and Insitro CEO Daphne Koller, a computer scientist whose South San Francisco firm is using machine learning to develop drugs more quickly.

Read on to find out who the top 100 women are.  Full list here.

Women Are Profit Drivers

As we are entering an era where there are as many different faces of entrepreneurship as there are companies, it's important that we recognize that there is not one singular leadership style or manifestation of "strength" that predicts or defines success.

Meghan Gaffney, founder and CEO of Veda, offers lessons and tips that may help non-traditional entrepreneurs.  Her three (3) major points are:

1. Use the data — it's on your side –> "Remind yourself (and anybody else who will listen) that women are proven profit drivers and we have the data to back that up."
2. Flip the script: Reframe your strengths.
3. Seek out diverse viewpoints and invite them to the table.

Read he entire article to learn how you can leverage your value.

Fierce Leadership

©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"One who is fierce leads….and leads well." – Heather Oden, Fierce

Never Satisfied Working For Someone Else

Chandell Stone, founder of Chany Ventures, came to Mexico's capital from New York City, and had a plan to center her business on women, especially women from marginalized groups who have less access to opportunities to start a business.

Stone has one of those personalities that is never satisfied working for someone else. Already experienced in securing venture capital, it seemed natural to start a business to help others do the same — hence Chany Ventures.  

The most important service that Chany Ventures provides is to support the kind of women who themselves would doubt their own ability to start a business. Often she finds it best not even to push the goal of attracting venture capital, rather use the term “medium-sized business.” At least until such women get more confident, she says. 

Learn more about Stone's goal of growing Chany Ventures throughout Mexico – Mexico City (as shown), Guadalajara, Monterrey and online. 

Your Best Years Are Always Ahead of You

Forbes and Know Your Value’s third annual “50 Over 50” U.S. list, was released on Aug. 1, 2023 and the big takeaway is:  Women over the age of 50 are rejecting the conventional wisdom that their best years are behind them. In fact, they are just getting started.

The year’s group of women came from dozens of industries, including bio tech, aerospace, venture capital, manufacturing, arts, entertainment and more.

The honorees have achieved their greatest accomplishments and are making their biggest impact after the age of 50.

Huma Abedin, vice chair of Forbes and Know Your Value’s 30/50 Summit says the list shows that "pivoting professionally at any age is not just a possibility, but we should make it a priority to consider…There’s a whole list of women over 50 showing us the way.”

Check out the list here.

SHE Adores Being An Entrepreneur

Christy Bieber has been running her own small business for over a decade now. She has grown her company over time, and there are many things SHE adores about being an entrepreneur. 

But there are also some downsides to being solely in control of her earnings and daily business operations.

Read on to learn more (ignore the last alert part – seems like a subtle pitch).

Who Is the Good Entrepreneur?

There is a bias against which women cannot compete in a marketplace. You can’t change anything if you are systematically ignored. When I [Marian Spier, serial entrepreneur, founder of TEDxAmsterdamWomen, CEO of FEM-START, and social impact & cultural strategist] started, my motto was: beat the system. Soon I discovered that is an impossible task. Now my motto is: create the system. 

The bias Marian refers to includes investors associating a “good entrepreneur” with masculine characteristics. “People would rather invest in a young man who bluffs and says: in two years I’ll turn two million in sales, rather than in a woman who turns one million in two years and can live up to that and substantiate her figures well.”

Sound all too familiar?  Read on to learn how Marian wants to make it easier for women worldwide to access networks.

Spend Time and Energy Supporting Other Female Business Owners

I could not agree more.

The idea may seem counterintuitive when one is working so hard to build their own business. How would spending time and energy supporting other female business owners help me? I am over here struggling to stay above water or maybe I have just hit my stride in business, I can’t afford any distractions.

This woman business owner walks you through how investing in fellow females directly impacted the success of her own business at every stage.

Come up for air.  Shift the focus (from all about you) to women around you.  Who needs your help?  Reach out to assist.   We all win. 

Buy From a Black Woman Entrepreneur

H&M is committed to using its platform to promote economic inclusion and spark growth for Black women entrepreneurs, because when their businesses flourish, entire communities thrive," Donna Dozier Gordon, head of inclusion and diversity for H&M Region Americas said in a statement. 

She goes on to say:  “Nikki Porcher has been instrumental in elevating these incredible businesses, ensuring they are poised for long-term success, and we are proud to stand with her and Buy From a Black Woman to make lasting change.”

Learn more about an event they are hosting today, July 8, 2023 in Charlotte, NC.  The multi-city, pop-up shopping event highlights local Black women businesses, rallies communities to shop local vendors and serves as a networking opportunity for business owners.

Take Advantage of Every Funding Opportunity, Including SBA Loans

Although female entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses have been on the rise in the country, the disparities — especially for minority women — within the American workforce are still stark compared to male and male and female-owned businesses. Here are some statistics on women-owned businesses: 

• 22 percent of employer firms were owned by women.
• 48 percent of nonemployer firms — meaning the business had no employees — are owned by women.
• Women-owned businesses are more likely to rely on funds from personal sources, such as family and friends and savings.
• 32 percent of women-owned businesses were zero to two years old versus 16 percent of male-owned businesses. 
• Women-owned businesses make up 42 percent of all businesses in the U.S.
• Globally, women account for roughly one in three of all high-growth entrepreneurs.

In 2022, 63 percent of women entrepreneurs surveyed said they expect revenue to increase in the upcoming year and 47 percent plan to expand their business. 

Learn more about how the SBA helps women overcome financial barriers and fulfill their dreams, making it a good place to begin your search for funding.

Invest In Women Entrepreneurs Is a Smart Business Decision

Ecem Altıok is Investment Director at Yıldız Ventures, Gözde Tech Ventures, and Yıldız Holding, where she oversees Venture Capital (VC) and Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) investment and portfolio management activities, was recently asked:  Why do you think it is important to invest in women entrepreneurs?

Investing in women entrepreneurs is not only a matter of gender equality but also a smart business decision. Women entrepreneurs bring unique perspectives, creativity, and problem-solving skills to the table. They often identify market gaps and consumer needs that may have been overlooked, leading to innovative business ideas and solutions. It also has a multiplier effect, as women tend to invest back into their communities, creating job opportunities and driving social impact. By supporting women-led businesses, we contribute to building a more equitable and sustainable future.

Overall, investing in women entrepreneurs is not only the right thing to do but also a strategic investment that can yield substantial returns and foster economic empowerment for women.

Read the entire interview here.

How to Overcome Obstacles as Women Entrepreneurs

Overcoming obstacles is key to being a successful female entrepreneur.  Unequal access to capital is a significant obstacle for female entrepreneurs, but it is just one of many unique challenges faced.

Here are four tips – a deeper dive – to help you navigate challenges, foster resilience and thrive in business.

1. Build a support network
2. Own accomplishments
3. Create work/life balance
4. Overcome self-doubt

To read the entire article, which includes funding options, federal contracts, business loans, and alternative financing, visit here.

Grameen America Helps Low-Income Women Business Owners With Loan Capital and Credit-Building

Grameen America is the fastest growing nonprofit microfinance organization in the United States. Atlanta is the 25th U.S. city where the fund has set up operations. The new Grameen America Atlanta office is being funded through partnerships with The Studio@Blue Meridian, Truist Foundation, Investor and philanthropist Robert F. Smith and Regions Bank which donated $1million. 

What does Grameen America do?

Grameen America provides low-income women business owners with loan capital, financial education, asset- and credit-building, and peer support. Since 2008, Grameen America has reached more than 170,000 women living in underserved communities across the United States and recently achieved a record milestone of investing over $3 billion in capital to emerging entrepreneurs. The organization’s repayment rate is over 99% and its members have achieved an average credit score of 653 through participation in the program.

Atlanta is known for its strong women entrepreneur base, so it was a natural that the organization would eventually set up shop here. The fund started making inroads into the metro area in June 2022.

Learn more about the plans for Grameen America and women entrepreneurs. 

Books. Biometrics. Beauty Products. Women Continue To Break Records in Entrepreneurship

These 100 female entrepreneurs, executives and entertainers made their fortunes in every conceivable way.  But hard work was the real underlying strength that got them to where they are today. 

Bolstered in part by a rebound in the stock market, they are cumulatively worth a record $124 billion, up nearly 12% from a year ago. Building supply distributor Diane Hendricks remains No. 1 for the sixth year in a row, with a $15 billion net worth. Showrunner Shonda Rhimes and Insitro CEO Daphne Koller, whose firm is using AI to develop drugs more quickly, are among the eight newcomers.

Check out these self-made women who are taking the world by storm. 

Know Someone Where Time Doesn't Exist When You Are Together?

Excuse me, have we met before?  This encountering could occur with a person on a bus, at the gym, or picking up a coffee at Starbucks when time stops or seems endless when you meet. That specialness is a sign that perhaps you are picking up from a past life.

At some point, we’ve all met someone that impacts us on a far deeper level than we ever could have imagined. Understanding how to tell if you know someone from a past life could explain why you feel so drawn to a specific person. It will even shine a light on the relationship dynamics you share with them now.

Read on for 11 Signs You Know Someone From a Past Life (& That You’re Picking Up Where You Left Off).

If you believe in reincarnation, you know the soul continues beyond death.

If You Want to Get Something Done, Use Your Ecosystem

Interest rates are rising, banks are failing, there’s high inflation, and a dynamic of low unemployment and layoffs. The economy is different than a couple of years ago, and venture capital firms are slowing their funding. 

Companies solely founded by women receive less than 3% of all venture capital investments, and women account for less than 15% of checkwriters, according to PitchBook. 

Yet there is still a glimmer of hope.  The key is having a business that can scale and is durable, one that could survive a recession if it happens.  And, it helps to access and use your ecosystem.  Some examples are the Women Presidents Organization, Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® and Women Elevating Women.

Learn more about how you can get one step closer to your entrepreneurial goals.  Spoiler alert:  It's not easy.

Best Tips (21) For Women Entrepreneurs

To help women entrepreneurs who are starting new businesses, AllBusiness asked female entrepreneurs and founders to share advice that helped them—or that they wish they'd known—when they started their own entrepreneurial journey.

They shared the following tips:

1. Cultivate powerful storytelling
2. Bring a new perspective
3. Find a purpose
4. Know that you are in control
5. Stop discriminating against yourself
6. Hire employees who share your passion and vision
7. Get out of the hourly rate mentality
8. Surround yourself with supportive people
9. Maintain authenticity 
10. Develop a support network
11. Ensure you have work-life balance
12. Overcome imposter syndrome
13. Don't underestimate the power of community
14. Seek female-friendly investors
15. Stay true to your values
16. Build a strong support system
17. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
18. Grow a strong local network 
19. Develop the right mindset
20. Don't sell yourself short
21.  Realize the power of emotional intelligence

Read the entire article here.

Put Yourself Out There

To run a business, “you have to be willing to put yourself out there,” Julia Broome, owner of Kin Southern Table + Bar recently told The Herald. “You can’t be afraid to put yourself out there, and speak, live, eat (and) breathe your brand.”

The Herald spoke with three women who own and run businesses about the successes and challenges of entrepreneurship.

Path to Liberation: Entrepreneurship

Many people celebrate the impressive volume of Black women launching and running businesses.

JPMorgan Chase found that “[t]he number of businesses owned by Black women grew 50% from 2014 to 2019, representing the highest growth rate of any female demographic. Black females accounted for 42% of all women who opened a new business during that time and represented 36% of all Black employers.”

But what is seldom discussed about black women entrepreneurs:  Why are they starting the businesses?

According to this article, black women are leaving workplaces in record numbers due to racism, sexism, and an inability to bridge pay disparities between white men and white women.

As the article states at the end:  "Our workplaces need seismic shifts in policy, structures and society – shifts that specifically see and center Black women. Companies should not assume what Black women need; they should engage with us to co-create self-determinate solutions. In other words, ask Black women what we need, and be prepared to offer it."

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©2023 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Foster Inclusion, Embrace Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration, and Cultivate a Community

Women are just as likely as men to succeed as entrepreneurs when starting similar businesses in similar industries. Unfortunately, they face formidable barriers to accessing enabling resources and are constantly up against harmful stereotypes.

The Cartier Women’s Initiative strives to level an uneven playing field by recognizing that talent is universal but opportunity is not. Our program supports women impact entrepreneurs in scaling their up-and-running businesses, especially beyond national borders.

These remarks are from Wingee Sampaio, global program director of the Cartier Women’s Initiative. 

Decorate Your Space to Feel As Good As the Season

Oh so many cute things here.  Spring is full of bright colors, floral blooms, sundresses, and of course, Easter! Decorating your space to feel as good as the season can really boost spirits, so now's the perfect time to start your Easter decor search – it's never too late.

Get ready to shop springtime with these 23 ideas to liven up your space this season.  Happy Easter!

Advocate For Yourself

Four women entrepreneurs are leading the way in their respective fields, encouraging other women to advocate for themselves and, in some cases, helping the environment and breaking barriers in the process.

A couple of inspiring quotes by them:

• “Release all judgment and dream big."
• “You are already worthy. You deserve to have the same valuations as your male founder counterparts.”
• “Our main message is to carve out space to do the things that support us in our daily lives – the cornerstones of being, eating and resting."
• “Don’t be afraid to be your most authentic self, no matter how scary it may seem."

Check out their stories here.

Go Into the Entrepreneur World Without Any Fear

Over 11 million U.S. businesses are owned by women, generating $1.7 trillion in sales, according to the National Association of Women Business Owners.  Yet women in business are often overlooked or overshadowed as the number of women only tells part of the story.

These numbers don't tell the whole story. Women entrepreneurs are still in the minority, although times have evolved. The theme for 2023's International Women's Month "#EmbraceEquity", is just the start of shedding light to some of the fight women face in a male- dominant area.

Read on to learn how women-owned businesses have influenced the way the globe does business and why other women are deciding to go into the entrepreneur world without any fear.

How to Generate $7.8 Million In Revenue in 12 Hours

According to Launchmetrics, which measures the monetary value of media marketing strategies, Rihanna's Fenty line generated $7.8 million in the first 12 hours after her 2023 Super Bowl halftime performance.

We are not superstar Rihanna with her tremendous social following but we can learn from her on how she markets herself and her brand – seizing on opportunity every chance she can get.

Since the start of the pandemic, women, particularly women of color, have become the leading drivers of business creation in the U.S. In 2020 and 2021, women accounted for 49 percent of new business launches, according to a study by Gusto, a human resources software company, compared to 42 percent for men in 2021. 

Bet on yourself.  Start a business.  Become an entrepreneur. Create your own destiny.  The world awaits.

Being a Women In Business Can be Challenging But You've Got This

Whether you’re trying to find your voice, struggling from the do-it-all mindset, or looking for fellow women to bounce ideas off of, take a minute to step back and appreciate all that you’ve already accomplished.

Yes there are going to be hard days that really tax your patience and ability to move forward. But you are full of grit, passion, and perseverance. You can do this. 

There are over 12.9 million women-owned businesses in the United States, with means a whole heck of lot of women have overcome challenges, and 9 of them were gracious enough to contribute to this collection of the best business advice for women.

And what they all say is being a woman in business can be challenging, but you’ve got this!   

Time For a New Set of Rules That Values All of Us

It’s time for a new set of rules that values all of us—our bodies, our lives and our work. 

The Majority Rules project—an artful essay and op-ed series from Ms. and Supermajority Education Fund—marks an essential step toward achieving gender equality.

Explore this artful series featuring the five Majority Rules and the inevitable Super Rule: The lives and experiences of women—particularly women of color—are front and center in addressing all of our nation’s challenges.  Visit here.

Trailblazing American Women Entrepreneurs

Long before Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey, as far back as the late colonial era, these successful business women were breaking glass ceilings.

Starting a new business has rarely been an easy endeavor. But throughout much of American history, female entrepreneurs faced especially daunting obstacles. They couldn’t open bank accounts in their own names, obtain a loan—or even vote. Still, some tapped family connections, sussed out unique business opportunities and beat the considerable odds. The businesses these women launched—some of which survived for a century or longer—turned their founders into role models for more contemporary American moguls like Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart.

Read the entire article at History.

How She Went Global® Podcast with Julie Meyer

©2023 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global.  All rights reserved.

Listen to the How She Went Global® podcast hosted by Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® and learn what it takes to build a global consultancy.  Your business may be local (domestic only) now but by listening to the podcast, you'll aspire to take your business global.

In this episode, Julie Meyer, co-CEO and founder of Eat Well Global, talks about how she attracts new business, who her global clients are, how she gets paid, how B-Corp. status and Certified Woman-Owned Business help with growth, and offers her superpower mantra.

The podcast is brought to the world by companies who unwaveringly support women entrepreneurs:  Bluedog Design and Associated Bank.

Contributions That Women Have Made to American Society

In recent years, women-owned small businesses have been on the rise, making up 49 percent of all businesses in 2019.  They are outpacing overall business growth (9 percent) from 2014 to 2019 at 21 percent.

While female entrepreneurship is on the rise, the disparities – especially for minority women – within the American workforce are still stark when compared to male and male and female-owned businesses.

Learn more about gender and SBA loan statistics, grants for women, and startup funding tips here.

Every month, not just Women's History Month in March, should be dedicated to highlighting the contributions that women have made to American society, including in the finance and business sector.

Simplify Your Life With the New Women Founded, Women Owned and Women-Led Cartdrop

Jessica Choice/Atlanta Mom

I have a running list of items to buy at the store just about every week.  It goes like this:

• Strawberries
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Oatmeal
• Orange Essence Prunes
• Blueberries
• Wine
• Mandarin oranges
• Apples
• Milk
• Laundry detergent
• Whole grain bread
• Orange juice
• Fresh mozzarella cheese
• Salmon
• Dryer sheets
• Quinoa 

Yes, if you analyze the food items I've listed I'm basically a health fanatic.  But this post is not about me.  It's about a fantastic new app I'm into called cartdrop that's been created by two game-changing Chicago-based female entrepreneurs, Michelle Hayward and Shannon Murphy who are out to help you shop in the moment of need, anywhere you are, and never forget again (like me with the wine and prunes :-).  

Let's face it.  We're all super busy – whether you are a mom, business owner or top exec – and anything that makes our life simpler and far more efficient, I'm all in. That's why I love cartdrop!  I can finally get rid of endless pieces of paper on my kitchen counter top and not lose my mind looking in 5 different jackets for the most recent shopping list. Because I just pull out what I need on my cartdrop.  Easy peasy.

And this article sums up a lot of cartdrop's great features.  Check it out to get the nitty gritty details.

Have I convinced you this is an intelligent shopping platform? Then jump to your app store and download cartdrop. You can use it with Kroger stores across the country plus Mariano's, Ralphs, Pick 'n Save, Dillons and more.  Join thousands of people who have learned about cartdrop and can't stay away from it.

I'm jazzed by cartdrop!  Trust you will be, too.  Let's all work together to support these two amazing female entrepreneurs!   

Funding for Black Women Entrepreneurs

Dr. Cameka Smith, founder and CEO of The BOSS Network, announces the return of her organization’s 2nd annual BOSS Impact Fund. The Fund focuses on investing in Black women led businesses and preparing these entrepreneurs to build scalable, growth aggressive companies. Its goal is to raise investment funding for 500+ Black women entrepreneurs over the next three years.

Learn more about $500K in funding for black women entrepreneurs.

Making Success Possible For Women Entrepreneurs

Black women are entering entrepreneurship at rates that have not been seen before. Corporate America as well as government and philanthropic entities have taken note of this trend, and there is more support available for women founders than before. In general, women-owned businesses are on the rise, and much of America’s current startup boom is due to women starting businesses.

How can we collectively make even more women entrepreneurs successful?  

Maija Renko, professor and Coleman Chair of Entrepreneurship in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship at DePaul University's Richard H. Driehaus College of Business, says "Appreciation for women entrepreneurs starts by talking about the very things their businesses provide—not focusing on old systems and structures that exclude them. Chicago can be the city that leads this conversation and innovates solutions that make success possible for even more women entrepreneurs."

Read the entire Opinion piece in Crain's Chicago Business:  How to Support Women Entrepreneurs

Related to women entrepreneurs, support and Chicago, next week we unveil a game changing new app invented and launched by two Chicago women entrepreneurs.  Stay tuned because we are about to make your shopping experience a breeze via the #cartdropmethod.