Your Best Coach is the One Who Cares Enough to Give You Feedback

How does one start a business called Project Gravitas?  Easy.

When Lisa Sun (pictured) was just 22 years old and starting out in her career, her boss at global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company told her that she lacked gravitas. “When I asked her how to get confidence, she said, ‘go get a new dress, big jewelry and great shoes,’” Sun said. So, Sun went out to purchase a new outfit and embraced the larger message.

"Feedback is a gift; your best coach is the one who cares enough to tell you,” says Ms. Sun.

Read more bout Lisa's new company and discover her best tips -- as shown below -- for putting the best foot forward when traveling for business.

• Never pack a bag
• Leave a pair of sneakers and workout clothes in another city
• Double up
• Stay organized
• Plan one thing fun for yourself on each trip

Bias Against Female Founders on VC Funding

My colleague, Devishobha Chandramouli (pictured), Founder and Editor of Kidskintha, authored two really good articles that will give you can idea of the bias that still exists -- even after the #MeToo campaign -- when women entrepreneurs go after VC funding to grow their business.

• 6 Disadvantages Confronting Female Entrepreneurs Seeking Venture Capital
• New Study Finds 5 Key Differences in How Male and Female Founders Raise Capital

As Devishobha says:

"The more women we bring to the decision-making side of the table, the more the skew of the male VC ecosystem is offset. VC firms with more women determined to see women entrepreneurs succeed are the need of the hour."

How One Idea Can Lead to Another When Starting a Business

What does Birmingham, U.K-based Katjes Magic Candy Factory do that no other factory can:  make customer-designed sweets using a specially engineered 3D printer.

Here's the scoop.  The idea came to Melissa Snover while she was in the process of growing her first confectionary startup, Goody Good Stuff, a pioneer in the market for vegan sweets.

The company started as a business-to-business model leasing the 3D printers, licensing software, and ingredients that would allow customers in stores to design bespoke gummy candy. It has since added two more revenue streams: consulting about 3D food printing and marketing to the entertainment industry (which included an appearance at an after-party at last year’s Grammy Awards). The company turned a profit by the 18-month mark, and revenues are forecast to double annually.

How about that for a turn of events?  It goes to show you how one idea can lead to another when starting a business.

Apply for a Grant from the San Francisco Women's Entrepreneurship Fund

San Francisco launches $135,000 women's entrepreneurship fund!

The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) and the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA), announced the launch of the San Francisco Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund, which will provide mini-grants to local, women-owned small businesses. 

To qualify for the grants, businesses are evaluated based on financial need, a strong business plan, future growth potential and community impact.

To learn more about eligibility requirements, applicants are encouraged to visit OEWD's website or MEDA for more information.