Female Entrepreneurs Work Every Bit As Hard as Male Entrepreneurs (Maybe Harder)

The story goes like this from 2019.  

Alyson Saxe ran into an old friend at Costco, who – upon learning Saxe had children – inquired whether she worked outside the home.  Saxe explained that she'd founded a PR agency. "My friend said, 'How great! You're a mompreneur!'" recalls Saxe. "'You get to work and have time for your kids and family!'"

Saxe, later, went on to raise north of $2 million for her second company, the brand-management platform IrisPR, based in Phoenix. "I work every bit as hard as male entrepreneurs.  "I am not a mompreneur," says Saxe. "I am a mother. And I am an entrepreneur."

Read on to appreciate how business language – like much other language – is de-gendering.

May Your Blessings Outnumber the Shamrocks That Grow

©2021 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow.  And may trouble avoid you wherever you go." – Irish blessing

Women Entrepreneurs Drive America's Recovery

Women entrepreneurs continue to play a greater role in creating new jobs and economic activity across the country.  Since 1987, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated Women’s History Month by acknowledging how women entrepreneurs have transformed the face of entrepreneurship nationally.

According to the National Association of Women Business Owners, nearly 12 million businesses are owned by women, generating $1.7 trillion in sales, and employing over 9 million people.  Together, these businesses represent one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy. 

Read more about how women entrepreneurs are driving America's recovery from the global pandemic.

Black Women Business Owners Are at the Forefront of Innovation as Entrepreneurs

Meet the 10 finalists for the first New Voices + Target Accelerators Pitch Competition of 2021. 

Black women business owners are continuing to remain at the forefront of innovation as entrepreneurs and the New Voices team is joining forces with the Target Accelerators team yet again to give ten of these hard-working women the chance of a lifetime. 

Poised and prepared before a panel of business experts, the ladies shared their entrepreneurship journeys for a chance to win between $5,000 and $20,000 in funding for their businesses. 

Winners will also receive business coaching and mentoring from @newvoicesfamily to help them grow and scale their companies with purpose.

To learn more visit, here (note:  this was previously aired but you can get your free passes to check things out).

Be Real

I (Laurel Delaney and creator of this blog) have the good fortune of connecting on a quarterly basis with Colleen Killen-Roberts, Divisional Vice President of Entrepreneurship at the Edward Lowe Foundation through the global business work I do in their System for Integrated Growth (SIG) program.  

Below Colleen talks about why relationships matter and how to take 5 steps to building stronger ones.

One step in particular resonated with me:

4.  Be consistent — and genuine. Walk the talk. Do what you say you’re going to do — and in a timely manner. Bring the authentic version of yourself, warts and all, when meeting with existing or potential partners. You don’t have to be perfect. But you do have to be real.

So often people don't practice this.  Do you?

Read the entire article, Relationships Matter:  5 Steps to Stronger Partnerships

The World Needs More Love

©2019 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork." – Pearl Bailey, actress

Four Tips on Facing Fears When Creating a Business

Spiritual business coach Ava Johanna overcame homelessness and hardship and found prosperity. Here's her story, plus her top four tips on facing fears.  It's all about seeing beyond your past when creating a business.

Why Is Israel the Best Country for Female Entrepreneurs?

The Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE) tracks the global progress of women entrepreneurs and business owners across 58 economies. The US, Switzerland and New Zealand ranked second, third and fourth, with the UK sixth. So what enabled Israel to take the top spot?

Find out from the founders of an Israeli venture capital firm as they tell how they have made it in a man’s world and the ways they feel the status quo could be changed.

The One and Only Pop Superstar and Entrepreneur Lady Gaga: Greatest Female Singer of All Time

Use Your Power to Support Female Entrepreneurs

Two women discuss various ways to support female entrepreneurs. Here’s a closer look at their four tips.

1. Know the difference between real and performative allyship — and practice the former
2. Take a step beyond mentorship and be a sponsor
3. Be an active bystander against micro aggressions
4. Use your votes and dollars to push for bigger policy and ecosystem changes

Read the entire article on ways to be an ally for female entrepreneurs.

She Works

The products the women make in Uganda at luxury jewelry brand Akola are sold at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and many other retailers.

Akola means “she works” in a local Ugandan dialect, and it was founded as a nonprofit almost 12 years ago with the idea that sustainable job creation is the only way to get women out of poverty. 

Drill down further to see how through a combination of vertically integrated manufacturing, swift innovation in their product offerings and a strategic business model that includes a combination of for-profit and nonprofit entities, the decade-old brand has been able to navigate the Covid pandemic with unwavering commitments to sustainability and social impact.

Meditate to Focus in 2021

Meditation is an excellent tool to take your mind off the daily hustle and regain your ability to stay focused.  Here are some tips to regain the ability to be attentive to what is truly important.

Meanwhile, have yourself a joyful, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Get Inspired Women Entrepreneurs

We all need inspiration, especially this year.  

As you reflect on the year and what's ahead, check out these successful founders who are also some of the most respected athletes, political figureheads, musicians and performers going. 

The Story Exchange gathered up nine of their favorite motivational quotes from these well-known women who share all that they’ve learned about perseverance, patience, and finding strength.

Get inspired my fellow women entrepreneurs.  The new year is about to begin.

Peace and Joy to Our Escape From Corporate America Friends

©2020 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year to all our Escape From Corporate America friends.  Peace and Joy.

Ditch the Big Corps and Support the People of Color Small Businesses This Holiday

Small businesses owned by people of color are particularly vulnerable to the economic impacts of COVID-19. So this year, consider ditching the big corporations and opt for patronizing these small businesses instead. 

Despite the economic impacts of the pandemic, the National Retail Federation projects that holiday spending will grow between 3.6% and 5.2% this year. And while patronizing Amazon might get us the latest gadget at a reduced price, dozens of small businesses need your dollars more—especially those owned by people of color. 

Start your shopping now before it's too late.

Ladies, Don't Ask for Feedback, Ask for Advice Instead

Our friend and esteemed colleague, Dan Pink, Tweeted:

Don't always ask for feedback. It's backward-looking and often not very actionable.

Dan is referencing an article by Dr Amantha Imber, who is the founder of behavioral science consultancy Inventium and the host of How I Work, a podcast about the habits and rituals of the world’s most successful people. 

"For women in particular, feedback can be unhelpful," says Dr. Imber.  "One study conducted by professors Shelley Correll and Caroline Simard at Standard University analyzed over 200 performance reviews across three high-tech companies and a professional services firm. It found that, compared to men, women received feedback that was less likely to be tied to business outcomes and was also more vague and challenging to implement."

Read the entire article at Harvard Business Review.

Are You Helping Other Women Get What They Want?

Leadership is about having a message you can unite people behind — whether you’re pushing humanity toward a movement or an idea or a philosophy — and helping people get what they want. Not having people get you more of what you want.

Do you consider yourself a leader?  If everyday you do one thing to help another person move ahead, especially a woman, then I consider you a leader.

Wishing All of You the Best This Thanksgiving From Escape From Corporate America

©2020 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Happy Thanksgiving!  Yes, this year has been rough, but despite challenging circumstances, we see your strength and resiliency. May you enjoy the warmth of family this season and the harvest of the feast!  Wishing you all the best this Thanksgiving.  🧡

During the Global Pandemic, Ask for Help

Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy. According to the World Economic Forum, small businesses are responsible for employing nearly half of the private sector workforce. 

However, during these volatile times where social distancing measures have been put in place and mandatory shut-downs have happened, many small businesses have not been able to survive.   

Entrepreneur reports that In September, Yelp released its latest Economic Impact Report revealing business closures across the U.S. are increasing as a result of Covid. According to Yelp data, permanent closures have reached 97,966, representing 60 percent of closed businesses that won’t be reopening.

No matter how you react to the reports, here are five ways to help your small business survive the global pandemic, one being to ask for help.

Ladies, We Are All in That Room Together

“Yes, sister, sometimes we may be the only one that looks like us walking in that room,” she told a largely Black audience in Fort Worth [Texas]. “But the thing we all know is we never walk in those rooms alone — we are all in that room together," say Kamala Harris.

That Ms. Harris has risen higher in the country’s leadership than any woman ever has underscores the extraordinary arc of her political career.

Read more about how Kamala Harris just made history as first woman and woman of color as Vice President, USA.

Happy Halloween from Escape From Corporate America!

©2020 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"I love the spirit of Halloween and the energy that comes with it." – Katharine McPhee

#WriteNewRules

©2020 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

These 6 artists are writing new rules for business, innovation and technology.  Cole Haan wanted to celebrate that and give voice to those new rules.  That said, the company unveiled the line with a campaign that invited the six artists from around the world to envision the new rules of work, life and culture – projecting life in incredible ways.

Learn more.  Contest is over but here are the details and submissions.  #WriteNewRules

How to Green Light Your Next Big Idea

Sarah Goff-Dupont for Fast Company says that for every brilliant idea that ends up making a big impact, there are probably 10 equally brilliant ideas that never even get the green light. 

Why? She says it often comes down to how the project is pitched. 

Without an understanding of who you’re pitching to, what keeps them up at night, and how your idea can further their goals, your chances of getting buy-in are slim.

Read on for strategies successful project leaders use to make sure their ideas get priority when it comes to allocating time and resources.

Focus Solely On What You Can Do

The constraints of the global pandemic removed so many options that men and women alike were forced to focus solely on what they could do, which has not only led to meaningful business outcomes, it's improved their personal life going forward.

Through these stories, you'll find inspiration and tactic level advice on how you can do the same for yourself and your business.

Oh, and the above resulted from a recent report by Morning Consult, which highlights an unfair division of labor between couples when it comes to household work and homeschooling, even when both parents are working remotely. 

She Was on the Level

Retelling a moment, Lisa Caputo, executive vice president of marketing, communications, and customer experience at The Travelers Companies Inc. remembers working at the White House on the Sunday when President Bill Clinton interviewed Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) for her role on the Supreme Court. Caputo, as the article below states, was particularly taken aback by Ginsburg’s casual garb, juxtaposed with the President’s suit and tie. 

“She was on the level,” Caputo said, speaking during Fortune’s Most Powerful Women virtual summit on Thursday. “Disarmingly so.” The President remarked that he had “the conversation of a lifetime” with the Justice, Caputo recalled. 

Read the entire article to also hear from Anita Hill, professor of law, public policy, and women’s studies at Brandeis University, and others about the late, great RBG.

Calling All Female Entrepreneur Road Warriors

Let's face it.  With the global pandemic causing us to still be sequestered at home, many of us are eager to become digital traveling nomadic entrepreneurs – taking our business wherever we please provided we are servicing our customers beyond expectations.

If you have been thinking along these lines, this handy little app might help you.  The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently launched TripTik tool quiver (triptik.aaa.com), with all of the Covid-related data a female entrepreneur road warrior could need or want.  Four things it does, among many others:

1. Features to show roadway checkpoints
2. Shows border closings with Canada and Mexico
3. Lists travel restrictions at the city, county or state level
4. Highlights confirmed cases of Covid-19 at the state/province and/or county level

Female entrepreneur road warriors can count on having the freshest information at their disposal.  Check it out.

Women's Liberal Champion, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dies at 87

#RuthGinsburg #RIP #fighter4women #wewillcontinueyourfight

Photo taken of the front page of the Wall Street Journal, 9/19/20 by Laurel J. Delaney.

Women Entrepreneurs Are Challenged During the Global Pandemic

In a recent four-part survey, the Babson’s Diana International Research Institute researched challenges women entrepreneurs face as a result of COVID-19. And, though the results trace a ripple effect of declining revenue for women-owned businesses to issues with work-life balance and support, research fellow Amanda Elam says a potential fix is simpler than it might appear.

Read on to see what it starts with.

Women in the Kentucky Derby

It's only fitting to feature something about women on a day when we are celebrating the Kentucky Derby in a whole new way due to COVID-19 – no crowds.  Fortunately, you can watch the races on television or via a LIVE stream online.

What a disappointment though for many of the women entrepreneurs who make the great hats for the Derby!  Hopefully, these women have pivoted, are making hats that are fun and interesting for virtual parties, and selling them online.

Women have played an active role in Kentucky Derby history since the turn of the century. In 1904, Mrs. Laska Durnell nominated Elwood to the Kentucky Derby, unbeknownst to her husband, trainer Charles Durnell. 

Read more about women in the Derby.  Enjoy the day.

How a Morning Routine Can Impact Your Life in a Positive Way

One of the simplest ways to set you up for success is establishing a morning routine that works for you.

On a recent episode of the Making Bank podcast, guest Scout Sobel advocated for discovering a helpful morning routine. Sobel founded Scout’s Agency and Scout’s podcast, both of which focus on branding and promoting female podcasters, entrepreneurs, authors, and much more.

She, and many others, feel that having a consistent—and inspiring—start to the day helps boost your energy, your mood, your productivity and much more.

Learn more on why you need a morning routine.

Push Your Insecurities Away, Be Bold, and Start a Business

Twenty-five year old Tekeisha Pages (pictured), from Victoria, Australia launched her brand Remi Collective on Boxing Day 2019 and said the business 'wouldn't have worked out' unless she dropped everything to dedicate all her time to it.

She quit her stable job in retail and started her own full-time bikini brand despite not having any business experience.

"It's been a goal of mine for many years to start a bikini line, so I knew it was finally time to push my insecurities away [be bold] and give it a go!' Tekeisha said.

Read more about how Tekeisha's bikini brand sold out half her stock in one weekend.

5 Movers and Shakers in the Female Entrepreneurship Space

The ratio of women-owned businesses in the U.S. has increased dramatically in the past 50 years – and for the first time, it’s nearing 50%.

If you’re a budding female founder looking to push that women-owned business statistic to more than 50%, then boost your skills and spirit by studying the stories below.

These five founders have successful businesses that are poised for even more growth in the new year.

Ensuring Black Women Entrepreneurs Come Out On the Other Side of COVID-19

Everyone needs to be thinking about how do we make sure that black women entrepreneurs come out on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis – not just survive but thrive afterwards.  They need critical information and resources to sustain themselves.  The Black Women’s Roundtable is investing in these women entrepreneurs with the launch of its Take It to The TOP Entrepreneurship Challenge.

The three-month program will provide resources—and cash prizes—to promote social innovation and develop business leadership skills for black women and girls across the Midwest and Southeast.

Learn more about the Take It To the Top Challenge.

How Women Entrepreneurs Will Lead Us Out of the COVID-19 Crisis

We love the article below by our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Barbara Roberts – an expert speaker and writer on all stages of entrepreneurship from startup through exit and reinvention.

In it, she says:

In crisis or chaos, every entrepreneur must go back to their “Why” as the first step to surviving. “Why are you and your company on this planet? What is the problem that you must solve? What is your essence? How can you make yourself and your company essential to the world and your clients and customers?” The solution to the problem is in the answer to that question.

Read the entire article here (be sure to scroll to:  By Barbara Roberts, Entrepreneurs in Residence, Columbia Business School).  Full white paper can be found at:  Women's Entrepreneurial Journey:  Profiles of leadership in an era of new opportunities.

Does Entrepreneurship Fulfill you Emotionally and Creatively?

According to a FreshBooks survey, 88 percent of entrepreneurs accept the challenges to running their own business because entrepreneurship fulfills them emotionally and creatively.

“Being an entrepreneur is not always an easy path, but with the right opportunity, hard work, and a supportive community, it can be very rewarding,” explains Jenny Hienrich of Herbalife Nutrition in a media statement.

And here's the big surprise:  there's been an unexpected positive effect the pandemic is having on women business owners – from having their own hours, workload, wages and output.

A Semblance of Normalcy Offered by Women Entrepreneurs

With summer plans upended for many families, some programs led by women entrepreneurs try to offer a semblance of normalcy.

Whether teaching kids robotics, pottery or reading and math skills, some summer programs are doing what they can to provide families with a camp-like experience — even if that means going virtual.

Check out these women-owned camps that are helping kids make the most of summer.  Plus, they've made major adjustment to ensure safety for both their staff and young charges.

Love to Do Exceptional Things For Others? Floracracy Is For You!

I [Laurel Delaney] take such delight when I connect with fellow-Chicagoans, especially when its a female business owner such as Sarah-Eva Marchese, founder and CEO of Floracracy, a premium, quality florist offering a meaningful memory.

One of her colleagues, Meagan Elliott, had reached out to me by email in the kindest way to introduce herself and the company.  I responded with a couple of questions for Sarah and the next thing I know I am on a Google Meet chat with her!  What a delight!

Sarah claims that her business is for the person that loves to do exceptional things for others.

What's unique about Floracracy?  It's the only company where you can:

• Order flowers personalized by style or a symbolic message
• Include a beautiful letter that shares the message
• Deliver cooled flowers across the lower 48 states

Why not give them a try?  They are OPEN for business during beta summer 2020 with a risk free offer that guarantees 100% Happiness.   They even say, "If this isn’t your most meaningful experience, we’ll give you your money back."

In the age of COVID-19, this is a perfect time to make people feel good, appreciated and connected.  Why not do it through Floracracy?

I suspect there will be many hosts of online gatherings who will be using Floracracy to send that special something to a speaker, employee, vendor or colleague.

Screenshot courtesy Floracracy's website.  

EFCA Wishes You a Happy Fourth of July!

Are You In a City Where You Can Earn the Most?

According to Bloomberg, median earnings for women entrepreneurs vary widely across the U.S., according to a new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by Volusion, an e-commerce store service.

Entrepreneurs make up 7.7% of the total female workforce in the United States, earning a median annual income of $40,000. 

Women running their own businesses are making the most in Denver and Alaska.

Read more at Bloomberg.

Illustration credit Bloomberg.  Source:  Volusion.

What Is Your Company's Core Reason for Being?

What is your company's core reason for being, and where can you have a unique, positive impact on society?  Now more than ever, you need good answers to these questions.  You need to shift from why to how.

Find out what McKinsey & Company has to offer in terms of determining where do we go from here?

Make Father's Day Personal, Priceless and Meaningful

With millions of Americans out of a job, this may not be the best time to splurge on a present for that special father in your life. What to do instead? Below are some meaningful ways you can honor Dad this year.  Because during the coronavirus outbreak, the best Father’s Day gifts should be personal and priceless, in every sense of the word.

Celebrating Dad in a creative and meaningful way.

Lead with Solidarity for Black Lives Matter

Native Women Lead (NWL) stands in solidarity with their Black relatives. We all should.  Black lives matter.

The sadness and pain of the unjust killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery and the countless others before, has become too common for too long. 

Native Women Lead vehemently condemns racialized violence that terrorizes Black, Brown, Immigrant, Indigenous and Communities of Color everywhere.

How to Reveal What Matters in Your Life

We love this piece by Kim McGaw, founder of Uniquely Human | Practical Creativity that starts with:

Using creativity exercises is a powerful and even fun way to bypass the resistance of the most guarded and impenetrable people, and get them to reveal what really matters.

Read more here – so inspiring!  Here's Kim's LinkedIn profile.

The COVID-19 Small Business Resource Guide

We are very familiar with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago.  They've put together a good resource guide for small businesses as we navigate the coronavirus – from covering financial and logistical support, to seeking grants, to capturing information support.  It's all here.

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 :-).