How Women Entrepreneurs Will Lead Us Out of the COVID-19 Crisis

We love the article below by our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Barbara Roberts – an expert speaker and writer on all stages of entrepreneurship from startup through exit and reinvention.

In it, she says:

In crisis or chaos, every entrepreneur must go back to their “Why” as the first step to surviving. “Why are you and your company on this planet? What is the problem that you must solve? What is your essence? How can you make yourself and your company essential to the world and your clients and customers?” The solution to the problem is in the answer to that question.

Read the entire article here (be sure to scroll to:  By Barbara Roberts, Entrepreneurs in Residence, Columbia Business School).  Full white paper can be found at:  Women's Entrepreneurial Journey:  Profiles of leadership in an era of new opportunities.

Does Entrepreneurship Fulfill you Emotionally and Creatively?

According to a FreshBooks survey, 88 percent of entrepreneurs accept the challenges to running their own business because entrepreneurship fulfills them emotionally and creatively.

“Being an entrepreneur is not always an easy path, but with the right opportunity, hard work, and a supportive community, it can be very rewarding,” explains Jenny Hienrich of Herbalife Nutrition in a media statement.

And here's the big surprise:  there's been an unexpected positive effect the pandemic is having on women business owners – from having their own hours, workload, wages and output.

A Semblance of Normalcy Offered by Women Entrepreneurs

With summer plans upended for many families, some programs led by women entrepreneurs try to offer a semblance of normalcy.

Whether teaching kids robotics, pottery or reading and math skills, some summer programs are doing what they can to provide families with a camp-like experience — even if that means going virtual.

Check out these women-owned camps that are helping kids make the most of summer.  Plus, they've made major adjustment to ensure safety for both their staff and young charges.

Love to Do Exceptional Things For Others? Floracracy Is For You!

I [Laurel Delaney] take such delight when I connect with fellow-Chicagoans, especially when its a female business owner such as Sarah-Eva Marchese, founder and CEO of Floracracy, a premium, quality florist offering a meaningful memory.

One of her colleagues, Meagan Elliott, had reached out to me by email in the kindest way to introduce herself and the company.  I responded with a couple of questions for Sarah and the next thing I know I am on a Google Meet chat with her!  What a delight!

Sarah claims that her business is for the person that loves to do exceptional things for others.

What's unique about Floracracy?  It's the only company where you can:

• Order flowers personalized by style or a symbolic message
• Include a beautiful letter that shares the message
• Deliver cooled flowers across the lower 48 states

Why not give them a try?  They are OPEN for business during beta summer 2020 with a risk free offer that guarantees 100% Happiness.   They even say, "If this isn’t your most meaningful experience, we’ll give you your money back."

In the age of COVID-19, this is a perfect time to make people feel good, appreciated and connected.  Why not do it through Floracracy?

I suspect there will be many hosts of online gatherings who will be using Floracracy to send that special something to a speaker, employee, vendor or colleague.

Screenshot courtesy Floracracy's website.  

EFCA Wishes You a Happy Fourth of July!

Are You In a City Where You Can Earn the Most?

According to Bloomberg, median earnings for women entrepreneurs vary widely across the U.S., according to a new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by Volusion, an e-commerce store service.

Entrepreneurs make up 7.7% of the total female workforce in the United States, earning a median annual income of $40,000. 

Women running their own businesses are making the most in Denver and Alaska.

Read more at Bloomberg.

Illustration credit Bloomberg.  Source:  Volusion.

What Is Your Company's Core Reason for Being?

What is your company's core reason for being, and where can you have a unique, positive impact on society?  Now more than ever, you need good answers to these questions.  You need to shift from why to how.

Find out what McKinsey & Company has to offer in terms of determining where do we go from here?