Monday, May 31, 2010

For the Love of Baking, Please Turn It Into a Business

Owners Annette Pratt (pictured) and Linda Spyke of The Flour Uprising, turned their love of baking into a business that specializes in healthy baked goods.

Learn more about it here.

The Flour Uprising | Facebook

Photo: Annette Pratt, co-founder of The Flour Uprising (credit here)

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Lifting Struggling Entrepreneurs Out of the Ashes

Maria Shriver (pictured) talks about a lending partnership that is intended to pool money and resources to help women across the nation who need financial backing for their businesses.

A key quote from her that totally relates to this blog:
“We live in a different world today than we did 20 years ago,” she said. “More and more people are leaving corporate America to start their own business that will allow for them to raise a child or care for an elderly parent.”
Read the entire article here.

Check out WE Invest.

Monday, May 24, 2010

What Business Books Inspire Women Entrepreneurs?

Kelly Watson for Forbes writes a wonderful article:

Twenty-One Women Entrepreneurs Reveal Their Favorite Business Books
Even the savviest businesswomen get their inspiration from somewhere. Find out what's on their nightstands.

We like the fact that Kelly went to such great lengths to feature so many fabulous entrepreneurs -- many that we know -- and it's interesting to discover that several of them enjoy the works of Malcolm Gladwell and Dan Pink (me too!).

Check it out here.

What business books keep you inspired and propelled to achieve greatness in your life?

Friday, May 21, 2010

Opening Doors to Rural Women Entrepreneurs

Interesting concept taking place in the UK for women who operate businesses in rural parts of the country.

WOMEN in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) are delivering a free award winning Opening Doors courses (funded by Business Link West Midlands) to women keen to start their own enterprise in Worcestershire. The Opening Doors course aims to give women the skills and confidence to put the foundations in place to start a new business.

Learn more here.

Do we offer rural women entrepreneurs in the U.S.A. an online platform to access everything they need to run their business efficiently?

Monday, May 17, 2010

Women Entrepreneurs: Don't Hold Back

Women-owned businesses are still small compared with businesses owned by men. Why and what needs to be done?

Dr. Sharon Hadary (who I know and respect tremendously for her research work on women business owners), provides wonderful insights in this contribution for the WSJ on what you should be doing today to jump-start your business onto a fast-growth trajectory. Be sure to also take a good long look at the numerous comments -- very striking -- especially from men. Sharon does an excellent job responding to each and every one of them.

Read the entire commentary published in The Wall Street Journal here. And I vote that Dr. Sharon Hadary runs a new blog just for women business owners for The Wall Street Journal!

Pictured: Dr. Sharon Hadary

Friday, May 14, 2010

For Women Entrepreneurs Who Just Stepped Out of a Cave and Established An Internet Connection

Hello world. Well my goodness me-oh-my, look at this fantastic new idea. It's a blog for and about women who own businesses (gee, think there's more than one out there already on the Internet?). And this brilliant idea is the brainchild of ... drum roll please ... The New York Times.

They finally get it. Let's bring our hands together and applaud them for their incredible foresight :-) that women want to read about and learn from fellow women business owners.

Pay a visit:

She Owns It

And while you are at it, you might also enjoy learning about the Women Presidents' Organization -- they've been supporting women business owners for more than a decade. WPO blog established 2004 is here.

Posted by: The Official Escape From Corporate America blog

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Dress For Success: Be An Entrepreneur

First impression: "She's an entrepreneur."

That can only be a good thing.

See what others put up with when they choose not to become an entrepreneur and go job hunting.

"Punching the Clock: Dress for Success Part I"


Photo credit: Theo (pictured in red) and the Skyscrapers (being an entrepreneur entertainer).

Friday, May 07, 2010

Something You Already Know: In Corporate America, Women Have a Tough Path to the Top

I can't believe I've been sitting on this since January -- goes to show you how buried I am in work (productive work)!

A study shows a large gap in perceptions among the sexes in who has more opportunities for advancement -- men or women?

Do we care?

I mean ... isn't that part of why we started a business in the first place -- to escape from these ridiculous perceptions (realities!) in the workplace?

Gosh ... I bet this is something that bores you to tears (or -- if you are living and breathing it in Corporate America -- frustrates the daylights out of you):
In reality, women represent a much smaller portion of leadership roles in business.
When you run your own show, you are the leader in business. Am I missing something?

Read the entire article: "Study Asks: Who Has an Easier Way to the Top?"

Posted by: The official Escape From Corporate America blog

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Diaper Maker Provides Grant Money to Social Media-Savvy Entrepreneurial Moms

In a new twist, diaper giant Kimberly-Clark is set to launch a program that provides grant funding to Mom entrepreneurs. The goal is to tap both moms for new ideas and ensure goodwill among them all.

The site, HuggiesMomInspired.com, is open for business.
Under the program, K-C is awarding grants, up to $15,000 for a total first-year total contribution of $250,000. The former amount is an average sum compiled from talking to different women and learning their startup monetary needs, said Stephen Paljieg, senior director of growth and innovation.
Learn more here and submit your brilliant idea here.

Photo: Looks like this mompreneur needs to develop a good sleepy-time toy for her daughter and submit it to K-C!