Keep True

How the Mighty Succeed!

Some articles I've written are worth re-sharing.  This is one of them, Global Small Business:  How the Mighty Succeed (Despite Harsh Economic Times).  Perfect fit to our current times.  It goes like this.

Remember when you were a teeny, tiny business — a one-man or one-woman shop — where you wore every hat imaginable to get a job done? You would proudly announce, “There is no job I won’t do to grow my business!” Fast-forward to where you are now and where you would like to be in the future. That’s what this article is all about. As a successful SMB, you’re already “faster than a speeding bullet …,” energetic, enthusiastic, adaptable, flexible, accessible, decisive, nimble, innovative, responsive — in other words, pretty mighty already. 

But, all things considered, are you strong enough to continue driving your business results to the next level?

Real Emotional Intelligence Matters

I've often felt that real emotional intelligence is about 'caring' and that all humans have that trait within them – sometimes you just have to pull it out or discover it.

One method I have used over the years on connecting with caring people is this.  When I share scary news with someone I know by email (this is the equivalent of being vulnerable), for example, I not only see how fast they respond, but how they respond.  No response at all, well, that's real emotional immaturity.  A response that ignores the elephant on the table and barely goes there is emotional shallowness.  But I must say that it works every time.  The more I have dealings with the person who didn't respond or didn't go there, the more I realize they don't have real emotional intelligence or a caring nature.  Not someone I would want on my team.

Obviously no one wants to drop bad news on anyone, especially people you don't know well, but you can use this same technique by sharing any information that requires someone to think deeply and think through what you have just shared.  How do they respond?  

In this article, Marcel Schwantes provides 4 clues to help you identify someone with real emotional intelligence.  Working with a team that possesses these traits will lead to immense success. 

We Are Seeing a Promising Trend Upwards in Female Entrepreneurship

The world is full of extraordinary women in a variety of leadership positions all across the globe, and yet seemingly, they are not taken as seriously as men in the world of business.

We are now seeing a promising trend upwards in female entrepreneurship, a level playing field for both men and women in entrepreneurship. In this article, Nathan Ortega sits down with the Founders of J’adore Les fleurs to learn how women bring a competitive edge to business as they lead the way for female entrepreneurs everywhere.  

Escape From Corporate America Blog Celebrates Its 18th Anniversary!

©2022 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Eighteen (18) years ago today – July 2, 2004 – I [Laurel J. Delaney] started this blog, Escape From Corporate America.

Thank you for your engagement and readership all these years. We have more than 20,000 visitors a month who want to know more about breaking away from Corporate America and starting a business.  I look forward to many more years together.

• 1st post July 2, 2004 – trying to figure things out
• 2nd post July 2, 2004 – still trying to figure things out
• 3rd post July 7, 2004 – deciding we should state why we are here!

Colossal Mistake: Roe v. Wade Overturned

©2022 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Women should have a right to choose.

Women Entrepreneurs At Their Best

Some of these women entrepreneurs are driven by a passion for their idea and moral imperatives rather than pure profit, and they keep their community, economy, and environment in mind.

In this article, you'll find women entrepreneurs who encourage more cultural and systemic changes to support other women entrepreneurs.  One gives a voice and platform to those with disabilities, another sells gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO cookies free of the top allergens, and still another makes fragrant and colorful hand-crafted soaps with whimsical names like unicorn frappuccino and pineapple flamingo.  And there are more.

Variety is the spice of life.  These women entrepreneurs know how to spice it up, go after their passion in life, and make a business out of it.  Resilience.  Tenacity.  Impact.  Women entrepreneurs at their best.

Accept Personal Responsibility

Daniel Mangena says that unless you accept full, personal responsibility for everything in your life; you're giving away your power to change it. This is where so many people go wrong when they set out to change their lives.

They sign up for a course. They change their hair color. Maybe they take up a hobby or start jogging. At some point though, the train runs into the buffers. Reality kicks in, and something goes "wrong."

So, what do you do?  Find out.

Impactful Women Entrepreneurs Should Apply: Cartier Women's Initiative

The Cartier Women’s Initiative launches applications for its 2023 edition with sustainability at the forefront may apply to receive support for their business growth.

Applications opened May 16, 2022 and remain so until June 30.

Learn more and apply.

Therapeutic Work: Helping Horses and People

Rainhorse Founder and Executive Director Maria Eastman has always had a passion for horses. She has been around horses all of her life and used to show, train and rehabilitate ex-race horses.

The mission of Rainhorse is to offer equine-assisted activities and therapies and bring the remarkable healing help of horses to people from all walks of life. Rainhorse offers equine-assisted counseling and equine-assisted learning. 

“Horses and humans are both creatures who live in communities, and we are both very sensitive to the emotional states of others in our community,” Ms. Eastman concludes. “Although, we humans often lose some of this sensitivity. At Rainhorse, clients can work to regain some of this lost connection.” 

In the aftermath of the Texas tragedy, this sounds like something many can use.

Healthy Homegrown Company Culture: 16 Ideas

Below, experts from Fast Company Executive Board share 16 practical ideas that continue to foster inclusiveness and team building at work.

Hat tip to Michelle Hayward, CEO, Bluedog for turning us on to this fantastic piece in Fast Company: "16 ideas to lead to a healthier homegrown company culture.  Her contribution is #1 (usual for her in many respects). 

Build Relationships With People You Can Help and With People Who Can Help You

This is not networking because networking is merely the process of exchanging information and developing professional contacts. Relationship building is different.  

Build the relationships – and go deep – before you need to ask for help.  By the time you need to make the ask, you have already established trust, reliability and familiarity — all the things needed to ask and receive. 

Celebrate Your Achievements With Other Women

When you travel alone it can be scary and liberating at the same time. It pushes you out of your comfort zone.

Here are some takeaways for female business leaders and entrepreneurs from one woman who recently returned from a business trip.

Entrepreneurial Obsession by Laurel J. Delaney

Enjoy a free download of my ebook, "Entrepreneurial Obsession: 13 ways to create a brighter future for your business" – one of the most important books you'll ever read. Discover how to do something different now in order to build a successful business. Learn how to weather economic storms, live loud, and sleep like a baby during tough times.

Why It Is Necessary to Support Women Entrepreneurs Around the World

The question that all forward-looking entrepreneurs should be asking themselves as the global economy continues to develop and diversify is: what can be done to support women entrepreneurs around the world? 

According to this article, women face three specific obstacles: funding, mentorship, and experience.

By supporting programs that help women learn about the world of entrepreneurship, such as Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global's offerings, women can build strong borderless businesses faster, solidify their position in the global economy, and stay competitive in the world marketplace.

Amsterdam-Based Women Entrepreneurs Are a Force to Reckon With

Women across the globe are starting businesses in record numbers. They have busted borders, broken through stereotypes and are bringing about progressive changes in the business ecosystem.

According to data released late last year (2021) by the Dutch chamber of commerce – KVK, the number of female entrepreneurs in the Netherlands increased by 29 per cent in the past five years.

However, women are still facing challenges on their way to entrepreneurship, but their hunger for success has made them cross all roadblocks and lead their businesses.

Here are 9 Amsterdam-based female founders that are running their startups solo. 

What Are Your Rules of Thumb?

Alan Webber is the founder of the technology business magazine Fast Company and has gone on to become Mayor of the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Many years ago I interviewed him after he wrote, “Rules of Thumb:  52 Truths For Winning At Business Without Losing Your Self."

I still love this book for all the rich insights that are straightforward and moving.  Alan was always so ahead of his time and continues to be.

Some of the answers he gave during our interview are more than ever relevant to our times.

For example, when I asked him what the gist of "Rules of Thumb" was about:

I suppose the gist of it is that we all need to pay attention to the new rules of work and life; that the world is changing and we are all responsible for how it changes — and to guide our own lives, our companies, our families, and our communities in a direction that makes sense, that works, that has positive results, and that is sustainable.

Perfect response.  But that's so Alan.  Read the entire interview here.

Entrepreneurs Always Spot Opportunity, Especially In Times of Disruption

The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, has presented both dramatic disruption and unique opportunities. In fact, more American entrepreneurs report seeing increasingly more business opportunities despite the economic challenges of the pandemic, according to research from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM).

Read on to examine entrepreneurship – positive perceptions of starting a business and a world still rich with opportunities.

The Power of Entrepreneurship, Importance of a Supportive Network and the Real Value of Education

Shakenna Williams '94, Babson College, learned the power of entrepreneurship.  She learned the importance of a supportive network.  She learned the real value of education.

Her parents owned a large beauty supply distribution company, supplying all of the Northeast, and as Williams and her brother grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, they spent every summer working in the business.

The lessons of her father and the experiences that followed now impact her work as the founder of Babson’s Black Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (BWEL) program and as the executive director of the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (CWEL) at Babson College.

Read on to discover more.  To uplift your spirits.  To get inspired.

Did These 18 Women Change the World?

Who are the most successful female entrepreneurs in America? There are too many to list, but these 18 businesswoman were chosen by Small Business Trends because they forged their own entrepreneurial journey.

From an executive chairman to world-famous recording artists, these female entrepreneurs continue to make waves throughout the business world.

The question becomes:  Did these women change or revolutionize the world with ground-breaking innovations?