St. Patrick's Day in Chicago 3/15/25

Chicago dyes its river bright emerald green for St. Patrick's Day. I was so happy to see it in person like I have over the last 20 years.  Here's look. What a magnificent sight. 💚💚💚

Happy International Women's Day 2025!

©2025 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved

To all of you, Happy International Women's Day 2025! Celebrating the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women worldwide.

Strong Leaders Stand With Their Allies

We all watched in horror and shock the White House meeting yesterday (2/28/25) with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro makes a great statement:

"Strong leaders stand with their allies and they stand on their principles – and I believe we must continue to advocate for the values of freedom and liberty, not cower to dangerous dictators like Vladimir Putin."

And as Zelenskyy says, "It's very important to save our country, our values, our freedom and democracy."

I ask all women to #standwithUkraine and their valiant people.

Make Sacrifices Really Happily

In this article, a group of women business owners recently reflected on their achievements and stresses and also provided insight for other potential entrepreneurs – from following your dream to living the dream.

“I’m one of those people who prefer to work 24 hours a day and when you have your own business that’s exactly what you do,” [Terri] Cooper said. “This is not my first business. I owned a cheerleading camp for 20 years and I was a teacher and a coach and a counsellor before this, so I knew what I was in for, and I make the sacrifices really happily.”

Terri, one of the entrepreneurs featured in the article, runs Village Boutique in Detroit.  

Key Factors That Propel Women's Business Success

Here's a look at the key factors that women say have propelled their business success and sustained them through the tough times.

The report by KPMG is a decade old (2015).  See, if in your opinion, anything has changed since then.   The table of contents is:

1. Perspectives of the successful female entrepreneur
2. Controlling their destinies
3. Good advice:  Welcome, but sometimes hard to find
4. Room for self-improvement
5. Not-so-risky business decisions
6. Conclusion 

Discover good answers to the following questions:

• What motivates women to launch their own companies?
• What traits do they believe are most responsible for their success?
• What are the challenges they encounter in building their businesses?
• And in what ways do they hope to improve in order to advance even further professionally?

Read the report:  Women Entrepreneurs:  Passion, Purpose and Perseverance

How Digital Transformation Influences the Landscape of Female Entrepreneurship

This study explores the relationship between the digital entrepreneurial ecosystem and female entrepreneurial activity in 45 countries using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. It highlights the importance of female entrepreneurship for economic and social development and examines how a Digital Entrepreneurial Ecosystem elements collectively impact female entrepreneurial activity. 

The research contributes to a deeper understanding of how digital transformation influences the landscape of female entrepreneurship, emphasizing the role of digital ecosystems in promoting inclusive entrepreneurship.

Women Entrepreneurs Are Reshaping the Business Landscape, Especially in Uzbekistan

Dono Zupparhanova is one of many women entrepreneurs reshaping the business landscape in Uzbekistan, leveraging financial services to enhance resilience and driving community development across the country. 

In her shop, Dono Zupparhanova carefully curates a selection of colorful bed linens and towels, each item a testament to her family’s long history in the textile industry. Her journey began in 1996, when her mother opened the Demir Shopping Centre, introducing foreign textiles to Uzbekistan. Today, Zupparhanova  continues that legacy as the newest entrepreneur running the business her mother started.

Zupparhanova plans to open four more stores by the end of the year.  She is committed to uplifting other women entrepreneurs, sharing her experiences, and breaking down societal barriers in Uzbekistan.

Read more about her journey and other women entrepreneurs who are breaking down barriers, challenging the status quo, and inspiring each other to reach their full potential.