According to Mark Cuban, Only Morons Start a Business on a Loan

#HerOwnBoss: Women Entrepreneurs Share Advice

How refreshing to see that the National Women's Business Council has launched a new project to share great advice, important truths and inspiring stories from women entrepreneurs.

For example, interviewee Jaime Nack says:

Be confident. Too often, women speak softly, don’t make eye contact, or use “maybe” or passive language when they talk about their work.  Be bold and embrace your success at every stage.  People are drawn to positive and confident entrepreneurs. 

Learn more:  #HerOwnBoss

Screenshot courtesy:  NWBC #HerOwnBoss (Jaime Nack)

Where Are the Women Entrepreneurs?

Former Kauffman Dissertation Fellow Sarah Thébaud (pictured) recently wrote an insightful article for Newsweek about the lack of women in entrepreneurship:  Why Are There So Few Women Entrepreneurs?

She states:

... disparity is the fact that women are much less likely to lead new business enterprises. On average, men are nearly twice as likely as women to launch a new business. And women are primary owners of only about 28% of private firms.

According to Thébaud, the key reason why there are so few women entrepreneurs is an unconscious cognitive bias that is likely to play an important role. She says, "I find that women entrepreneurs are at a disadvantage because people are prone to doubt that they possess the kinds of traits and skills that we stereotypically associate with entrepreneurship."

Read:  Why Are There So Few Women Entrepreneurs? and related piece, The Gender Stereotypes of Entrepreneurship

Screenshot courtesy:  University of California, Santa Barbara, Sociology

Dream Big and Go For It

Founder and CEO of Dream Big Toy Company Jodi Bondi Norgaard has a strong motto: "Dream Big and Go For It!"  She is one of many advocates who are pushing media and retail to do a better job portraying girls beyond stereotypes -- sending the message that girls can aspire to do more than wear a pink dress and tiara.

Ms. Norgaard launched her line of plush, sports-themed dolls, Go! Go! Sports Girls, six years ago.  "Many retail buyers told me my product would never sell because they weren't 'fashion-forward' enough to warrant a slot in the toy aisle alongside sexier competitors.  I never gave up because I believe strongly that girls deserve better.  Six years later I am flanked by other women who have started businesses to create change and shut down stereotypes that confine or degrade girls and women. What's more, sales for my products continue to increase," says Norgaard.

Visit  Go! Go! Sports Girls

Watch her TODAY Show video:  'Girls' toys?  Group of women revolutionize the toy aisle

All I can say is Go! Go! Jodi!  We are very proud of your accomplishments and wish you continued success.

Screen shot:  Go! Go! Sports Girls 

If Dad Says You Can't Be an Engineer Because You Are a Girl, What Do You Do?

If your father tells you that you can't become an engineer because you are a girl, what do you do?  Become an engineer.

Screenshot:  Society of Women Engineers

The Path to Business Ownership Is Challenging and Rewarding

According to a recent study by the National Association of Women Business Owners, the number of women-owned businesses has grown at one and a half times the national average for new businesses during the last decade.

Find out what kind of an impact that trend is having on industries.

Read:  Women business owners share stories of success

Screenshot courtesy:  Carter & Co. Communications (pictured is Holly Carter)

Don't Start a Business For the Money

We've all heard the statement "don't start a business for the money."  What do you then start a business for?  It's usually to satisfy a need in the marketplace and you absolutely love the idea of being the one who can address the need with your skill set.  Hopefully the money will flow in later.

What else do you need to succeed in starting a business?  David Kiger outlines some considerations here:  Advice for Female Entrepreneurs.

Photo Credit: monukhan2013

Believe In Yourself. Believe In Your Dream.

Women Make Their Marks Building Businesses

According to "Area women make their mark building businesses," a woman's touch can be golden to a startup business.

Find out what it takes to build a successful business.

Screenshot courtesy:  Far Reach (Iowa Software, Websites, Marketing, and Apps) -- Kate Washut, Partner, Far Reach

Why Does the Funding Gap Still Plague Women Entrepreneurs?

We've come a long way in the business world but why does the funding gap still plague women entrepreneurs?  It could be that women are more risk averse.

Despite the hurdles widening the funding gap, every entrepreneur needs capital to sustain a business. As a woman entrepreneur, don’t let these start statistics deter you from actively seeking funding.

Read the entire article:  5 Ways Women Entrepreneurs Can Overcome the Funding Gap

Photo Credit: swanksalot 

When I Grow Up, I Want to Become ...

We've all been in this position at some point in our life wondering:  "When I grow up, I want to become a business owner, physicist, engineer, etc."  Fast forward a couple of years.

If you have pursued your dream and need an extra little push to realize your goal, you might want to consider the Amelia Earhart Fellowship.  Zonta has awarded 1,438 Amelia Earhart Fellowships, totaling more than $8.6 million, to women from 70 countries.

Learn more:  Amelia Earhart Fellowship just one way Zonta helps women realize their goals

Photo Credit: One/Million

Starting a Business Can Begin At Any Age

Zandra Cunningham is the owner and creator of New York-based Zandra’s Beauty, a line of all-natural, luxurious bath and body products.  She is 14 years old.

It was one of five small businesses selected for free retail space last year in the Market Arcade through the pilot program, Queen City Pop Up. The West Side Bazaar has carried her products since 2013. A 1,300-square-foot production space in the Pierce Arrow Commerce Park on Elmwood Avenue is the company’s base. 

Find out how she got started here.  Starting a business can begin at any age.

Screenshot courtesy of:  Zandra

Ladies, Let's Take On the World in 2015

Reporter Sandra Guy at the Chicago Sun-Times interviews me about my business and books.  In our discussions, I emphasize one of the big initiatives we have planned this year, which is helping women business owners expand their businesses internationally.

The Sitdown:  Laurel Delaney sees plenty of sparkle for Chicago exports

Happy 2015!

Are You An Entrepreneur or a Female Entrepreneur?

Do you have an issue being referred to as a "female" entrepreneur? Here's what Tine Thygesen said after accepting her nomination for Best Female Entrepreneur of 2015:

In my inner heart I have to admit that I’ve also declined the invitations because I was afraid. Afraid that people would suddenly notice that I was a woman. An alien on management level!

If there is one thing we don't need in our life it is drama.  And if there is one thing we do need it's to declare who we are and be proud of it.  Tine goes on to say:

I must have had 50 invitations for speeches, about female business topics, but instead I insist on talking about Becoming An Entrepreneur (of any gender), or decline the invitation.

Read:  Why I was afraid to accept the nomination for Best Female Entrepreneur of 2015

Photo Credit: markleslie1

What Fires Up Entrepreneurship? Have Someone Say You Are Beyond Hope When You're a Kid

Ingrid Vanderveldt was once told by her elementary school principal that she was "beyond hope." As the story goes, she was struggling in fourth grade, in her hometown of Bethesda, Md. Her principal suggested that her parents pursue schooling elsewhere.

What happened after that?  You have to read the full story but let me just say this.  Since then:

She's built and sold two tech companies. She's worked with dozens of others. She's lived on a friend's couch. She's hosted her own TV show on CNBC.

And there's more ... read:  Ingrid Venderveldt has turned her focus from Dell to Empowering a Billion Women (EBW2020)

Photo Credit: torbakhopper

How to Beat Expectations As An Entrepreneur

You may enjoy being a girl but it's not the easiest being a girl entrepreneur.   A recent whitepaper, "Investing in the Success of Women High-Growth Entrepreneurs, their Teams and their Ventures," published by Astia describes the world of high-growth entrepreneurship as “a world of outliers.” I agree because I am an entrepreneur and feel like an outlier.  Being an entrepreneur is hard work and requires great creativity, chutzpah and smarts.  Not everyone is cut out for it.

Here's what the article below purports:

Make no mistake; if you are female company founder, the deck is stacked against you. The focus on increasing gender diversity in investor-funded startups has gathered momentum recently, but it remains more of a philanthropic women’s issue than an economic imperative.

Learn more:  Entrepreneurs are expected to be white and male.  We need to change this

Trusty Serving Tray For Drinks Had Major Design Flaws, Not Now

It took two Dartmouth female engineering students, Krystyna Miles and Shinri Kamei, in a casual conversation with their server at a local diner, to discover the trusty serving tray that has been used since the beginning of time when drinks were poured has major design flaws.

Learn how Krystyna and Shinri invented a simple tray that is intuitive to use and doesn't cause tendonitis for waiters.

Read:  This Holiday Season, See Why Drinks Are About To Spill A Whole Lot Less Often

Visit their website:  Tray Bien  Check out their Kickstarter campaign (completed and successful).

Screenshot courtesy:  Tray Bien

Small Business Saturday: Are You Shopping Local?

American Express OPEN started Small Business Saturday in 2010 with the intent to help raise awareness about the importance of small businesses and the products and services offered by them. The U.S. Senate officially recognized the day in 2012 expressing their support.

If you are running a small, local shop, do you get more than usual sales today or is Black Friday more known?

Regardless, some business owners think this:  Small Business Saturday Still Small Potatoes, Owners Complain

What are your thoughts?

Screen shot courtesy:  American Express OPEN

What's Holding Women Back in Business?

What's holding women back in business?  Do you think what's holding women back in the corporate world is the same for women who run a business?  I don't think so but here's what Sandy Carter, General Manager for IBM Ecosystems and Social Business Evangelism, says when Carrier Kerpen asked her that very same question.

Be a better networker and build better relationships.

She goes on to say "Don’t be fearful of networking and don’t view it as added “extra.” Approach it in the same way you would any other aspect of your business – head on."

Isn't this something we do as a business owner day in and day out?

Read the entire article and see if it applies to you:  The Importance of Human Connections

Photo Credit: Arya Ziai

Exceptional North American Women Entrepreneurs

Meet two of the 13 winning entrants to a prestigious North American entrepreneurship program.  They are:  Tonia Jahshan, co-owner of Steeped Tea, and Kristen Wood, who owns a rapidly growing chain of high-end spas called The Ten Spot.  On Thursday, both were named among the EY (formerly Ernst & Young) Entrepreneurial Winning Women.

Since the Winning Women program began in 2008, it has helped more than 70 women grow their companies' revenue by an average of 20 per cent. The participants take part in a customized program designed by EY focused on building critical relationships, enhancing leadership skills, expanding business know-how and providing increased visibility.

Learn more:  Hamilton women names to elite class

Screenshot courtesy:  EY