Pay Yourself What You are Worth

As more and more women take the leap from Corporate America to starting their own businesses, one of the key factors to ensure the leap goes well is to focus on having confidence.  Many women doubt themselves and their abilities.  Sometimes it just takes a couple of good pals around you to say "you can do it!" The next thing you know, you you can!

Another challenge for women who start businesses is determining what you should be paid.  Don't skimp.  If the money is there, take it, do good work, and be proud.  Here's what a SCORE volunteer mentor says:  

Simply put, women need to be paid what they are worth. A lot of times women feel like that they can’t charge enough. However, in order to be successful in business and remain profitable, a shift in thinking — and a boost in confidence — is necessary.

Read more about what is available to women-owned businesses and what is necessary to succeed in business ownership.

Photo courtesy:  Hust Wilson on Unsplash

Please Join Me: How To Grow Your Business In Today's Market

Dear Colleague and fellow Women in Business,

I’d like to invite you to attend the upcoming “21st Century Marketing:  How to Grow Your Business in Today’s Market” Conference, targeting Women in Business, to be held at the Anaheim Marriott March 23, 2012.

You can access the Conference agenda (and registration) via the website link below.  I look forward to speaking at the Conference and hope to see you there!

My best,
Laurel

Go here to get more information and to register:
http://www.wboconference.com/

Learn the Fundamentals of Running a Business

• Featured company:  Wildflower Linen
• Find a SCORE Chapter near you.
• SCORE for Women.

A Boatload of Resources for Women Entrepreneurs

Ever hear of the expression, "no excuses, just results?" Let's put it into play. SCORE has assembled a comprehensive list of useful websites to help women entrepreneurs succeed.

A snapshot of a few:

Alliance of Business Women International
ABWI is a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 to encourage and support businesswomen involved or interested in international trade opportunities.

American Business Women’s Association
ABWA’s mission is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for personal and professional growth through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.

Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)
AEO provide entrepreneurs with training and technical assistance, micro-loans, access to market services and training, and/or economic literacy and asset development services.

Association of Women's Business Centers (AWBC)
The AWBC supports entrepreneurship among women as a way to achieve economic self-sufficiency, create wealth and participate in economic development through education, training, mentoring, business development and financing opportunities.

Athena Foundation
The Athena Foundation pairs woman-owned businesses with a group of local mentors who serve as a panel of advisors. Advisors work with business owners for one year, free of charge.

Discover the other 37 here.

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Opt-in To Entrepreneurship

If you’re thinking about starting a business, don’t give up just because the economy looks bleak. That's what Jacalyn Barnes says over at the Women Entrepreneur | SCORE blog.

She offers six tips on what you should be doing now to ensure your business launch is a success. Plus, she shares a link to famous people who started a business during an economic slump.

More here.

And separately but related, have you seen this? Deadline to apply is approaching.

Women Entrepreneurs SCORE!

SCORE launched a Women Entrepreneurs Web site which provides interactive tools, mentoring, workshops and articles that can help women entrepreneurs achieve their business dreams.

Complete a simple registration form to take advantage of the full range of options.