Women Entrepreneurs Navigate COVID-19 and Prepare for the Future

Women entrepreneurs have been forced to adapt to remote workplaces, the fluctuating economy, and an unpredictable future due to the challenges brought about by COVID-19.

Glamour magazine editor in chief Samantha Barry recently hosted a roundtable with CNBC's restaurant and small business reporter Kate Rogers and three female small business owners to discuss how they've overcome unpredictable obstacles while running their businesses and are planning for a post-COVID-19 landscape.

Here's some applicable advice shared during their one-hour discussion, which you can watch in full, here.

Hugs and Kisses to All Moms from EFCA!

Women Entrepreneurs Make Quick Financial Decisions Grounded in Data

The COVID-19 crisis has caused quite an upheaval for women entrepreneurs – from managing families, to working virtually, to slashing workforces.  These challenges require women to make quick financial decisions grounded in data.  Below are some of the key archetypes, including an assumption on how each small business female entrepreneur is handling tough financial decisions during the pandemic.

See whether you find yourself in any of these archetypes.

A Coloring Book for Shut-Ins

Well this is creativity at its best!  The author says, "Let’s Have Fun With Sequestration! A Coloring Book For Shut-ins."

Download pages and print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper
New pages will be available daily.  Get coloring :-)!

How Can I Help More People?

How can I help more people?  That's a question we should all be asking ourselves – more than ever right now due to the COVID-19.

Women in the business world often talk about the importance and benefits of supporting each other. The women of the Young Entrepreneur Council share how they tap into the right resources and lift up other female leaders in the process.

Here's how they've achieved their own success, and helped their fellow female entrepreneurs do the same.

What Can We Learn from the Coronavirus

We are big fan of Bill George, Harvard Business School Professor, former Medtronic CEO, and best-selling author.  He says:

As the Jewish people celebrate Passover this week, and Christians reexperience the death of Jesus on the cross on Good Friday, people throughout the world are suffering from Coronavirus.  This is a good time to reflect on what we can learn from these experiences, and how we can learn new ways of living and working.

See what else Professor George has to say about the deeper meaning of the Coronavirus.

Embracing the New Dress Code

With all of us sequestered at home due to COVID-19, it's time to think about dressing like you are going to work, that is, if you need to work from home!  Yes, I said that.  This practice is good for your brain, signals you are in work mode, and it might even better for the people you live with to take what you are doing seriously.

What does dressing for work really mean now?

And don't forget, every Tuesday at 4PM CT, I'm hosting a wegg® Virtual Cafe to chat about anything you want to chat about. Come as you are. No dress code required :-).

Perfecting Your Online Video Meetings (Join Ours)

Hello everyone from my home to yours!  I hope you are staying healthy, safe and optimistic during this unprecedented crisis we are in.  That's all you can do.  And if you are like me, you have transitioned all your in-person business and personal meetings over to virtual until the COVID-19 virus is well behind us.

That said, I found a nifty article below that will help you set a clear agenda for your next gathering and even test your tech setup.  Hopefully the tips offered will enable you to make video calls more tolerable for you and your colleagues.

The Dos and Don'ts of Online Video Meetings

Speaking of online video meetings, I am hosting a wegg® Virtual Cafe gathering for anyone to join every Tuesday for 40 minutes at 4PM CT starting 3/31.  You are welcome to hop on.  We can share tips, tools and resources to ward off cabin fever and stay productive.  Join the chat at https://zoom.us/j/746553873, Meeting ID#: 746-553-873.  All you need is an internet connection, so tune in as you are :) Talk soon!

Resonant Breathing For Managing Anxiety During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Indian-American author and alternative-medicine advocate Deepak Chopra says, “Manage stress. Good sleep. Taking a little time to meditate … and paying attention to loved ones and making sure we are in communication.”  This is the advice Chopra provides during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Chopra put emphasis on resonant breathing, which helps relax the body. Watch!

Unplanned Confinement at Home? Make More Time for Sex

With the new mandate on how to contain COVID-19, we will be spending unprecedented amounts of time at home. This is the most effective way to slow the spread of this highly contagious new illness. It will certainly have negative effects on the economy (women entrepreneurs included), especially for some people who are really going to suffer. We can all hope that nipping this in the bud will get all of us back to normal life soon.

Meanwhile, perhaps we can take advantage of this unplanned confinement at home to make more time for the sex that most of us would like more of. Especially for busy, long-term couples, sex is often one of the first things to go, as is spending some quality time together that doesn’t involve cleaning the kitchen or discussing the business of family life.

Read more about how to use the extended time at home to benefit your sex life.

How Far Women Entrepreneurs Have Come

Just 32 years ago, a legislation passed that was called HR 5050: Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 (WBOA). This passing of this Act allowed women to take out business loans in their name for the very first time.

How did women entrepreneurs obtain business loans prior to HR 5050?

Learn more about how far women entrepreneurs have come and don't forget to celebrate International Women’s Day (#EachForEqual), March 8, 2020.

She Creates

International Women’s Day 2020 is March 8, and Apple is supporting the visibility and achievements of women with special Today at Apple sessions held in select Apple Stores throughout the world.

From March 1–31, you can join inspiring female creators [I call them women entrepreneurs :-)] in the “She Creates” series to learn a new skill and gain a new perspective.

Oh, and the theme this year for IWD 2020 is #Each for Equal. Our individual thoughts and actions contribute to a larger goal of creating gender equality.

Learn more about how Apple Stores will promote International Women’s Day all month long with ‘She Creates’ series.

Women Entrepreneurs Are Making a Positive Impact on our Business Ecosystem

As we celebrate Women’s History Month this March, let's also celebrate and salute all the women entrepreneurs for their hard work, smarts and perseverance to get things done.  Business success doesn't come easy yet it's the women entrepreneurs who are determined to accelerate their own growth.

According to The 2019 State of Women-Owned Business Report commissioned by American Express, “Between 2014 and 2019, the number of women-owned businesses climbed 21% to a total of nearly 13 million (12,943,400). Employment grew by 8% to 9.4 million. Revenue rose 21% to $1.9 trillion.”

It is evident the positive impact women entrepreneurs are making on our business ecosystem.

Women Entrepreneurs Rocking Their Respective Fields

Here are five women entrepreneurs – Carrie Green, Ali Handal (pictured), Kim Coles, Sue Bryce and Marai Smith – who are rocking their respective fields. Take a look at what they do to stay inspired, and then check out the video because that's where some really great quotes come through.

Makes you take a step back and think about the life you want to live.

How Women Use Social Media to Grow Their Businesses

Social media is a key tool for many female entrepreneurs who are using it as a branding tool. By posting consistently and sharing everything from product photos to testimonials, female entrepreneurs know how to build trust and customer loyalty using social networking sites, often bypassing the need for expensive marketing campaigns.

Women entrepreneurs also know that social media can serve many other purposes simultaneously – marketing, branding and even customer service.

Here are just some of the ways you can use popular networking platforms to build your customer base and pilot your business to success.

Read more about how to use social media to grow your business.

Who Knew? USPTO's Office of Innovation Outreach

Two things I didn't know about the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO):

1. USPTO is focusing on women entrepreneurs!
2. USPTO has an Office of Innovation Outreach!

Well what do you know about that?

And on March 3rd, you can attend the free Women's Entrepreneurship Symposium held in Alexandria, Virginia, at USPTO's headquarters, and learn about the resources and services available to assist and support women inventors and entrepreneurs.

Registration is required for in-person attendance.

Learn more about the free women's entrepreneurship symposium.

Free is Good, Especially If It Helps You Grow Your Business

Free online entrepreneur workshops, seminars and business trainings are an indispensable tool for any business owner.

Whether it’s admin, marketing, branding, product development, e-commerce, going global, or something else, developing your skills is essential to improving your business.

Here's a collection of some of the best free online learning courses and resources to give you the business skills you need to succeed this year.

And even though this resource is not referenced in the article, don't forget to check out:  Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® – to cover the going global aspect of your business (+ free wegginars)!

Email As a Productivity Tool

Email is simple.  Right?  It’s unified. It’s an open channel of communication that is used worldwide to maintain an open dialogue both inside and out of the workplace.

Learn how you can reinvent your email as a productivity tool. Start by getting back to basics and consolidating every type of correspondence – a way to increase your effectiveness overall.

Are You a Badass Female Entrepreneur?

In the article, "The Badass 50 2020:  Meet the Women Who are Changing the World," they define a badass woman as someone who has proved she's not to be messed with.

... celebrating some of the greatest changemakers of our time, from all over the world. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi offers her thoughts on what it takes to be a badass, the Today Show’s first female co-anchors Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb get candid about the future for female journalists, editor and author Scarlett Curtis opens up about her mental health struggles, plus more inspiring stories from women who show up, speak up, and get things done.

Most of the women featured in the above article are celebrities and got me thinking, I am definitely a badass entrepreneur. Are you?

Preparing for 2020 and a New Decade

Unsplash

I thought I'd share some of my past articles on entrepreneurship, business ownership and growth.  I hope these help you prepare your business for 2020 and the new decade.  Enjoy.  Happy learning.  Prosperous new year.

5 Actions for Double-Digit Business Growth

This article provides five action items to get you out of your “hold steady” mode and into high, predictable growth gear with your business.

11 Tips to Help You Thrive After Losing Your Biggest Client

Theresa just lost her biggest client, one who generates 80 percent of her company’s total revenue.  She’s been in the branding business for six years.  In response, she can hide in her office and wait for the phone to ring or she can take swift action.  Above are 11 tips that ought to help Theresa, or you, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation.

16 Ways to Dodge an Economic Crisis

Whether it is through client work at my own business, running a nonprofit organization, or serving as a facilitator for women presidents of multimillion dollar enterprises, here's what I've heard many entrepreneurs and small business owners saying repeatedly about what they are doing to dodge an economic crisis.  This article is still applicable to today's times.

From Cupcakes To Moneycakes: 3 Ways To Increase Sales And Profitability

Recently, I had a conversation with a woman business owner who claims her business in Chicago is drying up. She bakes cupcakes from scratch in every imaginable flavor and size from her small bakery, Think Sprinkles, eleven miles south of downtown Chicago. As a one-woman shop, how can she increase sales and profitability so her business doesn’t shrivel up? It starts with going back to the basics of good old-fashioned marketing.  Read on ... above.

Wishing You a Happy and Prosperous 2020 from Escape From Corporate America!

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Happy Holidays From Your Friends at Escape From Corporate America!

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Bring on the Holiday Cheer for Women Entrepreneurs

At a loss for what to give the most amazing female entrepreneur(s) in your life?  We have some ideas! And many of these are from the creatives over at Etsy.  Have a look and see what you think.

And if you want to go beyond stuff, try these – equal parts fun and fulfilling.

Plenty of companies are also spreading holiday cheer by donating a portion of your shopping cart to worthy nonprofits, ranging from climate change organizations to those that support women in developing countries.

enJOY.

A Business Carol by Laurel J. Delaney

I can't believe I wrote the article below a decade ago!  In the original story “A Christmas Carol,” (first edition 1843) Charles Dickens writes about an old and miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who undergoes a life-changing experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night.

In my article, I talk about how “A Christmas Carol” parallels much of what we do every day within our businesses.  This is done by providing three different perspectives, all with a common theme:  There is still time to make a difference in our world, to learn from your past yet choose to forget certain parts of it to remain relevant and to make improvements in your life and your business in preparation for a more vibrant future.

And remember, Charles Dickens himself was a struggling entrepreneurial author fretting over how he was going to pay off his debt when he penned “A Christmas Carol”  - all 18,000 pages - in just six short weeks.  But this is nothing new on genius spurts because many bright and creative folks produce some of their best ideas under duress.

Explore to read the full story.  I hope you enjoy.

Tis the Season to Be Grateful and Joyful

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

We trust you enjoyed your Thanksgiving and are looking forward to the magic the holiday season brings to each of us.

This time of year is a moment to reflect and be grateful for all the good in our lives, and that includes you dear reader.  Thank you for following us all these years and reading what we have to say.  We appreciate you, and your interest!  It makes us want to write like crazy for you in 2020.

Let's raise our glasses and toast to each other – wishing for a holiday season filled with love, joy, kindness, respect and gratefulness.

Oh, and one last thought for today:  Remember to smile because smiling makes you happier (there's that joy!) and it is contagious. You'll be happier and so will others.

An Iconic Cosmetic Brand Is Resurrected

Two former Chicago-based Johnson Publishing Co. execs, Desiree Rogers and Cheryl Macberry McKissack — who acquired the demised iconic firm’s Fashion Fair Cosmetics at auction less than two months after announcing a purchase of the global Black Opal line — talk about what they see on the horizon.

“We just could not let this incredible iconic brand get away from us, so we went in there, and we were so lucky, blessed, to be the winners,” said Rogers, 60, as the two sat down with the Chicago Sun-Times for an exclusive interview on their journey to a budding beauty empire.

To appreciate Desiree Rogers's background on all the different gigs she's had professionally, visit here.

Read the full article here.

First Woman Entrepreneur in the World?

Sarah Breedlove, known as Madam C. J. Walker, was an African-American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a political and social activist. She was considered the wealthiest African-American businesseswoman and wealthiest self-made woman in America at the time of her death in 1919 [1867-1919].

Walker made her fortune by developing and marketing a line of cosmetics and African-American hair care products for black women through the business she founded, Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company.  She was born, one of six children, in a village in Louisiana, and moved North to develop her business.

Read more about the history of Madam Walker.

Call to Action: Profiling Successful Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners. Is That You?

Here's an opportunity you won't want to miss!  I will be profiling successful women entrepreneurs and business owners on GoDaddy's blog starting this month through early 2020. Think of this as a marketing agency representing you for a one-off moment.

GoDaddy doesn’t just have hundreds or thousands of readers at their blog — they have millions. So this is a very good opportunity for a business owner to get great media coverage and increase their SEO rank at the same time.

If you or someone else you know would like to be profiled on the GoDaddy Garage site (https://www.godaddy.com/garage/) -- send me an email.  This opportunity is on a first-come, first-serve basis on who gets featured and there is a nominal charge involved. No competing firms will be featured under my pen. The first profile is due November 25th and that has already been filled. Take a look at some of my past articles for GoDaddy. My approach will be to have these profiles be similar to the one you see on Lifeway Foods CEO Julie Smolyansky.

Look forward to hearing from you with your interest.

This Billion Dollar Business Was Born Due to the Founder's Cellulite Problem

The Fastest-Growing Sector of American Entrepreneurship: Women

Over the past 50 years women have gone from owning 4.6% of all businesses to 40%, according to the American Express 2018 Report on the State of Women-Owned Businesses.  We may own a lot of businesses but we still struggle to get a loan when we need one.  Take Lisa Michele Chretien, CEO of Laguna Beach-based EventMover, a transportation logistics company that moves corporate assets for trade and auto shows, domestically and internationally.

Lisa needed a line of credit to grow her $3.5 million in annual revenue business, was looking for a loan of about three-quarters of a million dollars in credit, but instead, hit a wall.  She went to 25 lenders in Orange County and every single one said no.

See what she did and how she overcame a roadblock, one that persists for the fastest-growing sector of American entrepreneurship:  women.

Hint:  She finally got her line of credit, but only after her accountant approached a lender he had done business with for years.  As she tells it:  "I felt like I had traveled back in time, before 1988 and the passage of the Women’s Business Ownership Act — when women were required to have a male relative sign a business loan."

Make Time in Your Schedule for Fun

Corcoran Group founder Barbara Corcoran has seen many a business rise and fall. Her own success story is one of scrappiness and eternal drive.

Since selling her eponymous business for $66 million back in 2001, the bestselling author and speaker has made helping other entrepreneurs achieve their dreams her mission, both as a Shark [the Shark Tank show] and with her own firm, Forefront Venture Partners. She also still has a foot in the world of real estate, connecting homeowners with the best agents.

Entrepreneur Magazine staff writer Nina Zipkin had the opportunity to ask Barbara 20 questions -- from how she starts her day, to what's the best advice she ever took, to how to make time for fun in your schedule.

What Does An Entrepreneur at the Helm of a Successful Startup Look Like?

Hold on to your hats ladies!  Even though the wind isn't blowing, you will be blown away happily by the following notion.

Women who’ve embarked on new careers in their 40s, 50s and 60s are among some of the most successful entrepreneurs!

Yes, you read that right.  If you are thinking that you are too old to start a business, guess again.

Just the facts:

“Eighteen-hundred and 21 of you [women entrepreneurs] a day in the United States are building companies,” said Brooks (52.9 years young :-), referring to a 2018 study of business women commissioned by American Express.

She [Brooks] goes on to say:

"It [later stage entrepreneurship] just means that our life experiences have given us more depth, so not only can we be more successful at this age but we can also share with those who need to hear more perspective.”

Read on, power up and get going!

Access to Capital for Women and Entrepreneurs Is Important for Innovation, Economic Growth and Job Creation

22 female entrepreneurs from across the U.S. met in Washington D.C. last week at the Women’s Entrepreneurship Roundtable, hosted by the newly created bipartisan U.S. Senate Caucus on Entrepreneurship, Center for American Entrepreneurship.

"As a female entrepreneur [Tina Tran Neville], I find this extremely disheartening.  My startup, an online English language platform called Lana Learn, seeks to connect with the 2 billion people learning English globally, but with limited access to capital I cannot grow my company to meet demand."

Here's what else Neville had to say after attending the meeting:

While we have long way to go to support access to capital for women and entrepreneurs in general, I did walk away encouraged. I am encouraged by the creation of the U.S. Senate Caucus on Entrepreneurship and the engagement of the senators, staffers, and entrepreneurs in attendance. I am also encouraged by the work that the various organizations did to make the Women’s Entrepreneurship Roundtable a reality: The Center for American Entrepreneurship, The Kauffman Foundation, and startup ecosystems around the country like Create33.

Read more about why 22 female entrepreneurs met in Washington D.C.

"While we have long way to go to support access to capital for women and entrepreneurs in general, I did walk away encouraged." – Tina Tran Neville

What's Happening With Women-Owned Businesses?

Women are increasingly harnessing their entrepreneurial spirit and it is critical to encourage and support this behavior, eliminate obstacles, and facilitate growth of their businesses. Unlocking the potential of women-owned businesses represents a powerful opportunity for economic growth.  These are words to describe the state of women-owned businesses from American Express, Ventureneer and CoreWoman.

The 2018 State of Women-Owned Businesses report, commissioned and provided by American Express, examines the periods 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2018, looking at trends in the number of firms, employment, and revenue by various groupings.

This report focuses on women-owned businesses, which are defined as businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by one or more females. Over the past 46 years, women of all ages have become business owners in droves - from baby boomers and Gen Xers to millennials and younger generations.

Explore the report's findings.  See how you fit in on the grand scheme of things. Oh, and important detail:  the report was prepared for American Express by Ventureneer with the support of CoreWoman.

30-Seconds of Calm for Women Entrepreneurs Brought to You By Laurel J. Delaney

While I was out walking today, I captured this 'bird' moment. You, too, can create your own moment of calm -- every day.  Just remember what Albert Einstein said, "The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind."

Women Entrepreneurs Make Room to Read

Hello ladies and so happy you continue to read our posts here at the Escape From Corporate America blog.  For those who just joined us, last week we shared 5 fantastic podcasts to listen to in your spare time and this week we share 5 great books to read that offer wisdom, motivation and life-changing experience.

Have a happy Saturday and be back with you in a week! Meanwhile, get listening and reading :-)!  That's the only way to stretch yourself and grow your business.

Pressed For Time to Expand Your Learning? Try These 5 Podcasts

Our friend, colleague and queen of small business, Melinda Emerson, shares a great list of 5 podcasts you should listen to if you only have 30-45 minutes.

1. Marketing School
2. Real Money Talks
3. The $100 MBA Show
4. Eventual Millionaire (little longer – 45 minutes)
5. Online Marketing Made Easy (slightly longer – 30-45 minutes)

Melinda's complete article can be found here.

The Fearless Fund for Black Women Entrepreneurs

A $5 million venture capital fund to support startups created by women of color has been launched by Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam.  She has teamed with entrepreneur Arian Simone to make this happen.

“The Fearless fund is designed to change the narrative as it relates to funding allocated to women of color,” says Simone.

Read more about the venture capital fund for black women entrepreneurs.

Stuck in a 9-5 Job?

Kathryn Roberts is here to help if you’re feeling stuck in your 9-5 job and dreaming about living life on your own terms.

As the founder of Quest for $47, Roberts teaches women how to generate passive income to establish financial freedom and live abundantly without relying on a 9-5 job that may only cover your bare minimum income needs.

Sound too good to be true?  It isn't.  Read more about how to live a life filled with passion and abundance.

Books to Inspire Women Entrepreneurs

If you’re experiencing some kind of entrepreneurial struggle, odds are high that you aren’t alone.  These books below offer plenty of hard-won entrepreneurial advice or simply provide inspiration if you need to take action.

The Best Books for Women Entrepreneurs

Oh, and if you are growing leaps and bounds locally but want to expand globally, check out this book, it's mine :-).  

What's the Best Advice Given to You as a Female Entrepreneur?

Whether you give good advice or receive it, it's really the spirit of helping one another that matters.  In the article below, South African women entrepreneurs answer two key questions:

1. What was the best advice given to you as a woman entrepreneur and how did you action it?
2. What would you advise women entrepreneurs starting their journey now and in light of the current business climate?

Find out what they said here.

When You Win, You Must Express It Big Because You Earned It

Watch this amazing moment when entrepreneur Monique Ntumngia found out she won $100,000 for her work helping rural African communities.  Monique is a winner of Visa's Global Competition for Women Entrepreneurs.  

When you win, express it big because you earned it.  Let it all out -- that joy and happiness!

Have Big Dreams (Video)

Comfortable is Sexy

Two former Anthropologie buyers have created a lingerie store that celebrates all women.  The name of their company is Hidden Intimates and it operates under the mantra that "comfortable is sexy."  Agree?  I sure do.  You have to be who you are – and always, always be comfortable.

With a mission that focuses on telling stories instead of presenting a manufactured idea of beauty, Hidden Intimates channels the current thinking around undergarment fashion.

Read how two friends turned a dream into a reality but meanwhile, check this out:

But things are going well. Since launching three months ago, Hidden Intimates has sold about 50 pieces to people from all over North America, they said. One person ordered from Texas, and another from Canada. On trend, the most popular item is the “everyday lace bralette,” which has no wires and sells for $18. Each one gets shipped by hand from [Flo] Mcilwaine [co-founder's] house in Atlanta, where she still works a day job as a buyer for Home Depot.

Join Laurel Delaney in New York 7/18 to Learn How to Export Successfully in the Digital Age

The first in New York-based NEXCO's 2019 seminar series on what you need to know to sell your products in markets worldwide, this is where to start building your export sales strategy.

Lead presenter, Chicagoan Laurel Delaney, will discuss how to use the digital tools that level the field for small and mid-size businesses, launch and scale-up export sales, and avoid the 6 mistakes new exporters most often make.

Plan on joining in on the after-seminar reception for wine-tasting and networking with the NY metro exporting community.

To learn more and to register, visit here.

Happy 15-Year Anniversary to the Escape From Corporate America Blog!

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

For all of you who have been following our Escape From Corporate America (EFCA) adventures, you know it's been quite some time since we have been blogging -- some 15 years!  For the newcomers, can you believe it?  We can't because time flies when you are having fun, living your dream, and helping others live their dream too with starting a business.

We launched Escape From Corporate America officially on July 2, 2004 and since then, we have had more than 806,000 readers (not quite a million but we'll get there thanks to you).  We average about 10,000-15,000 readers a month now!  Take a look at our second post in 2004 talking about why EFCA was established.  It reads as follows:

This blog has been set up for businesswomen to voice their experiences working in Corporate America. Many women have expressed concern that Corporate America is actively pushing out its most talented women. Have you encountered something similar? What have you done about it?

Has the glass ceiling issue been a major reason for leaving your position? Are you thinking of striking out on your own to start your own business -- as a result of job dissatisfaction?

These are some of the kinds of issues that need to be openly discussed. If we do not challenge the system, no improvements will ever be made. Feel free to weigh-in with your comments. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!

So grab your tall glass filled with your favorite beverage and toast to the Escape From Corporate America blog:  "To many more blog posts about helping female entrepreneurs go from corporate America to starting their own business!"  And to you dear reader, I thank you for your readership and for starting a business.  Read on!

Podcasts for Female Entrepreneurs

Happy Sunday everyone!  As you kick back, soak in the sun or drive to your best secluded getaway, give these podcasts a listen.  ForbesWomen contributor Bianca Barratt says:

Podcasts, in my [Bianca Barratt's] opinion, remain one of the greatest resources for entrepreneurs, offering mentorship, guidance and expertise from successful businesswomen for free.

Learn more about some really good podcasts for female entrepreneurs.

Photo by Juja Han on Unsplash.

Follow Your Heart on Innovation

Here's an article I wrote for Thrive Global, "Creating a Culture of Innovation:  Learning From the Best."  It's about following your heart and intuition on matters of innovation.  When you run a business, you must think about innovation!

In the article I focus on three people:  Walt Disney, Samuel Palmisano and Steve Jobs.  A snippet from Walt Disney:

Lesson: To create a culture of innovation, be straightforward. Listen. Simplify. Do things. Build things. Get something going.

Sound familiar?  Read the article here.

Photo by Taylor Rogers on Unsplash.

Grit is a Mindset for Women Entrepreneurs

Natalie James is a wife, mom of three, entrepreneur, owner and CEO of Toronto’s exclusive blow dry bar — Vent Blow Dry Bar. She believes grit – courage and resolve; strength of character – is a learned behavior.

“To develop grit, look to others who have demonstrated their ability to persevere through hardship and learn from them”

She goes on to say, "Ask them how to stay positive when faced with hardship or how to maintain focus when faced with distractions?"

Life is all about learning and growing.  Find out for yourself what else Natalie has to say. 

Photo by Sammie Vasquez on Unsplash.

Women Entrepreneurs Shape Our Economy Yet Face Challenges As they Persist

Traditionally entrepreneurs have been viewed as innovators who come up with new ideas for the markets, products and various techniques. They have the capability to shape the economy by creating new wealth and jobs and inventing new products and services.

In the case of women entrepreneurs, they are no longer viewed as traditional resources confined to the household, however, despite being educated, knowledgeable and capable of contributing towards transforming economies, women face fundamental challenges trying to enter the entrepreneurial sector.  This is particularly true in India.

Read more about the fundamental challenges women entrepreneurs face and how to overcome them.

Photo courtesy CoWomen on Unsplash

Women Entrepreneurs Whose Smarts Are Rattling Industries Worldwide

The Female Founders 100 are the entrepreneurs Inc. has been most intrigued by in the past year, whose smarts are rattling industries far and wide.  They are scientists, creatives, MBAs, data-nerds, and visionaries. For some, it's the first time they've ever started a company. Others have been at this for decades.

Explore when time permits.  How about now?