Meet the Woman in Charge of Cheese: Jeanne Carpenter

Meet cheese geek Jeanne Carpenter (pictured below).

Jeanne Carpenter

Raised on Velveeta on a family farm in Wisconsin, after college she worked as a journalist, a corporate project manager, and finally as a communications specialist for state government. In 2007, she started her own public relations company to promote artisan cheese. In 2009, Jeanne launched Wisconsin Cheese Originals, a member-based organization dedicated to discovering, tasting, and learning more about Wisconsin artisan cheeses through a myriad of events, including an annual Wisconsin Original Cheese Festival in November. She is also the author of Cheese Underground, giving cheese-starved readers everywhere the inside scoop on America’s Dairyland since 2006.

Enough said but I am sure you want to know more.  Go here.  Congrats to Jeanne for moving from corporate project manager to woman in charge of cheese!

Illustration credit:  Cheese Underground

For Randi Zuckerberg: Goodbye Facebook and Hello RtoZ Media

Mark Zuckerberg's eldest sister Randi starts her own business:  RtoZ Media - a social media company.

In August, Randi Zuckerberg, 29, quit her job at Facebook, where she had been among the first two dozen people hired. Most recently, she was the director of marketing. In its early days, Zuckerberg was a buoyant presence, representing her reticent brother to an eager press. Later, she earned attention (not always favorable) singing at company functions with a band composed of colleagues. And she came up with the idea for Facebook Live, the social network's video channel, which has featured interviews conducted by Facebook executives with Oprah Winfrey and President Barack Obama.

Learn more here.  Illustration credit:  RtoZ Media homepage.

FAQ: Frequently Avoided Questions Related to Starting a Business

I was researching away on a project for a client and accidentally stumbled upon a PDF file I had downloaded to my MacBook in 2004.  It's called "The Art of the Start" and is based on Guy Kawasaki's book by the same title.

The FAQ:  Frequently Avoided Questions is a Kawasaki idea that is referenced in his PDF on Pages 29-31 -- don't miss it because, for example, here's one question he addresses that will definitely soothe your soul if you are frightened out of your mind at the thought leaving your current job to start a business:

Q.  I admit it:  I'm scared.  I can't afford to quit my current job.  Is this a sign that I don't have what it takes to succeed?  Am I not truly committed?

A.  You should be scared.  If you aren't scared, something is wrong with you.  Your fears are not a sign that you don't have the right stuff.  In the beginning, every entrepreneur ...

Download the report here (best part about it - it's complimentary!)

The Perfect American Entrepreneur

Photo credit:  ©Laurel Delaney 2011, "Apple store, Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, U.S.A."

Steve Jobs

We salute the greatest American entrepreneur in our time:  Steven Paul Jobs (1955-2011).  Read what others have to say about the man who changed the world for the best and inspired us all to soar to great heights. 

If messages can be received in happy heaven:

Thank you Steve for making our lives a whole heck of lot more interesting and fun. Rest in peace. We will miss you!

United States Secret Weapon For Achieving Sustained Economic Growth: More Women Entrepreneurs

Take that Corporate America! Yes, according to a new paper authored by Lesa Mitchell (V.P., Advancing Innovation) for the Ewing Kauffman Foundation titled, "Overcoming the Gender Gap: Women Entrepreneurs as Economic Drivers," the United States needs more women entrepreneurs.

Women who are capable of starting growth companies that serve global markets may be the nation's secret weapon for achieving sustained economic growth.

Three steps to boost female entrepreneurship in the United States:

1. Not-for-profit initiatives that advance opportunities for high-growth women entrepreneurs need greater funding and support from women executives, philanthropy leaders and industry. Networking and collaborative events between startup founders and big companies are critical to provide women entrepreneurs access to networks that can produce potential customers.
2. Successful women entrepreneurs and inventors should make themselves visible and available. Role models are critical to young women considering entrepreneurship.
3. Women must be invited at a much higher rate to join science advisory boards of high-tech companies.

Read the study: "Overcoming the Gender Gap: Women Entrepreneurs as Economic Drivers"(PDF file)

Illustration credit here.

New Crop of Power Accelerators: Women Entrepreneurs

Take a good look at some new accelerator and incubator programs that focus specifically on women entrepreneurs.  Yes - that's YOU (and me too)!

Read:  Programs Increasing Number of Entrepreneurs - Forbes

Shortcut to some of the resources mentioned in the article:

Y Combinator (awful lot of guys in the photos!)

Founder Institute

Female Founder Fellowship (as shown).

Women 2.0

They are calling us to action!

When You Start A Business, Don't Forget the "Good Heart" Theory

My friend and colleague, Steve Strauss, writes a terrific article for USA Today, "Winning businesses think about more than profit."  He covers the recent 3rd Annual SCORE Awards.  And what a wonderful story he tells.

All the winners seem to share one trait -- a secret I will share in a moment -- but all were a dynamic, visionary, difference-making group who are changing their lives and those in the communities they serve.

Get your day's dose of inspiration here.  You'll discover what I mean by the "good heart" theory. 

Shhhhhhhh ... School House, run by Rachel Weeks (pictured), is the SCORE "Outstanding Woman-Owned Small Business" winner!

Never Surrender

I finished reading Lauren Manning's book, "Unmeasured Strength," and instead of being sad or depressed, considering what had happened to her, I was empowered to become a better human being and to accomplish more in life.  My biggest takeaway, which came from a direct quote from Lauren in the book on Page 4:  "I would never surrender."

Whether facing a divorce, death of a loved one, bankruptcy, health issue, the risk of starting a business or - as in Lauren's case, a catastrophic moment of burning alive - each requires the commitment to never surrender.  You must keep going.

Thank goodness Lauren discovered that early on after she was engulfed by the fires that brought down the twin towers of the World Trade Center.  Her long, painful (she suffered second and third-degree burns across about 85 percent of her body) yet inspiring journey imparts on each of us a new look at life, one that most certainly is worth fighting for.

This book should be read not once but several times (and passed along to others) to fully appreciate steely determination under literal fire and how even at one's darkest hours - as in the case with Lauren facing death day after day for more than three months during her recovery - she shows us the surprising strength and courage in us all.

Buy the book here.

Pay a visit to:  LaurenManning.com

How to Turn a Negative Challenge Into a Positive Outcome

Kathrine Switzer, first woman in 1967 to run the Boston Marathon as a numbered entrant, has a thing or two to tell us about persistence.  Most of what she (now 65 years young) has to say will be helpful if you are considering starting a business. After all, when you begin, you need a whole heck of a lot of persistence to become a success.

A snippet of what took place at Switzer's first marathon:

But while many men running the event welcomed her into the pack, the race director had another idea. He chased after her, grabbed at the bib number pinned to her shirt and yelled for her to get out of the way and give him her numbers, Switzer recalled in her 2007 memoir, “Marathon Woman.”

Switzer was unbreakable (as shown).  She proved that women could endure a 26.2 mile race.  Fortunately, we have already proven we can run successful businesses.

Read more here.

Capturing Fellow Woman Business Owner Sarah McLachlan LIVE in Vancouver

 

Want more of Sarah McLachlan?  Go here.

The Tale of the Unromantic Business Plan

Once upon a time, there was an unromantic business plan that included 12 pages of cash flow analysis.  Twelve months later, Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Forty Winks, a lingerie boutique (as shown above) was born.

Forty Winks carries a range of sizes and styles, starting at 30A specialty bras and ending at an H cup size. “Sizes can go as high as M, but that’s not our customer,’’ said co-owner Rachel Wentworth.

Find out how Rachel and her business partner (co-owner) Meredith Donaldson create stories to sell their intimate wear and also offer a wide range of sizes and shapes - not to mention the heavy duty therapy that is required to satisfy the demands of their selective customers.

A serious plan to make a go of lingerie sales

How to Extend a Brand to Become the Coolest Small Company in America

Today we turn you on to Zingerman's.  What brought me here in the first place?  Zzang Handmade Candy Bars (pictured above and the real deal on ingredients:  dark chocolate, milk chocolate, corn syrup, organic muscovado brown sugar, milk, heavy cream, real butter, malted milk powder, real vanilla, salt, baking soda) -- as featured in Oprah Magazine September 2011.

But to Zingerman's Community of Businesses (ZCoB), it is a family of small food-related companies and entrepreneurial ventures.  Each is located in the Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A. area. They are operated by one or more partners who share ownership and manage the business.  Here is a list of the community ventures.

• Mail Order
• Delicatessen
• Bakehouse
• BAKE! With Zing
• Roadhouse
• Creamery
• Catering
• Coffee Company
• ZingTrain
• Candy Manufactory
• Press
• Food Tours
• Dancing Sandwich Enterprises

And yes, a few of the above are run by women.  Explore.  I am sure there is something of interest (indulgence) for everyone.  Enjoy!

Actively Seek the Accidental Discovery

Actively seek the accidental discovery.  That's what creativity, start-ups and new business ideas are about.

Read:  Think Like a Genius

My favorite part:

GENIUSES PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR CHANCE.

Too many fail to answer opportunity's knock at the door because they have to finish some preconceived plan. Creative geniuses do not wait for the gifts of chance; instead, they actively seek the accidental discovery.

I like to think that business owners prepare themselves for chance too!  Agree?

Photo credit:  Marie Curie

How Certification Helps Grow Your Business

WBENC:  http://www.wbenc.com/

Tutus Turn Profits for Little Dreamer

Jessica Beamgard (center) has BIG dreams for her six-month old Northville, Michigan-based Little Dreams. She makes custom-ordered women's and children's clothing and accessories.

Little Dreams was named by the older daughter of Jessica and husband Douglas, who grew up in Northville. Jessica sews tutus, ruffled pettiskirts, ruffled leg warmers, bloomers, onesies and hair accessories.

Learn more here.

Find Little Dreams on Facebook (Little-DreamsMichigan)

The Ice House Entrepreneurship Program

Ice House Entrepreneurship is a powerful new online learning program that enables participants to learn from today’s most successful entrepreneurs.  It is designed to inspire and engage the next generation in the unlimited opportunities that an entrepreneurial mindset can provide.

To learn more, visit:

The Ice House Entrepreneurship Program
powered by Kauffman, the Foundation of Entrepreneurship

Are you ready to take your own destiny into your hands?

Older Women Becoming Entrepreneurs

If you are thinking about starting a business, is your age a consideration?  I hope not.  For more women -- young and old(er) -- are starting businesses at record rates.  According to Barclays (UK), older entrepreneurs are responsible for 50 percent more start-ups than they were ten years ago and account for 15 percent of all new businesses (in England and Wales).  I am sure the United States has an even higher rate of women starting businesses at a later age.

The article below highlights Professor Diana Anderson (pictured) who set up her first business, OncaScan, with the notion of marketing her new invention, a blood test that predicts an individual's genetic predisposition to cancer.  No small time goal.  She says:

"I'm not proud to have started my first business so late in life for the simple reason that my age never occurs to me," she says. "Until I am no longer able to contribute, I only think of staying at the coalface of my profession. My future plans are to make my business a success, win more grants for my university and guide more of my students towards their PhDs."

Learn more:  Not the retiring kind

Does this article speak to you?

Establish and Sustain Your Startup

Wisconsin Women Entrepreneurs (WWE), a nonprofit business association, helps improve and enhance the economic climate for female entrepreneurs who are looking to grow their business and foster new relationships.

Learn more about how they might assist you as you establish and sustain your startup.

Photo credit:  WWE.

Best News I've Heard This Month: CNN Dumps Spitzer

I just want everyone inside and outside of Corporate America to know how happy I am about this.  CNN dumps Eliot Spitzer from its lineup.  Ever since Spitzer's involvement as a client in a high-priced prostitution ring (2008) and CNN's subsequent hiring of him, I stopped watching CNN.  What were they thinking?

Applause to the folks at CNN for finally getting their act together.  Now I can continue to watch one of my favorites -- Anderson Cooper -- without guilt.

There's my two cents for the week!  What's yours?

Photo credit:  New York Times, "Spitzer Is Linked to Prostitution Ring."

Posted by:  The official Escape From Corporate America blog

Women Entrepreneurs Drive U.S. Economy

Hush, hush ... new news is that women entrepreneurs are a significant force in driving the U.S. economy.  Did you know?  Of course you did!

Read all about it here.  You may have missed the roundtables they speak of but you can still learn about the five mistakes female business owners tend to make so that you don't make them yourself!