Keep on Trucking Women Entrepreneurs

This is such an inspiring story of how a woman, Cheryl Womack (pictured), goes from being a mom to running a business (at the same time of course), to making the business a huge success, to selling it, and eventually ... starting a nonprofit called The Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World. She's an amazing woman and a role model for us all.

Quick snapshot:

One of 11 children born to Panamanian immigrants, Womack first made her mark with VCW, which sells insurance to independent truckers. That company, which she started with just $17,000 in 1983, was worth more than $100 million when she sold it in 2002. Currently, she manages a nonprofit called the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World, helping others on their way up. Married and the mother of two, Womack recently pledged $2 million to build a women's softball field at her alma mater, the University of Kansas.

Read the full spread (including viewing the slideshow) over at Oprah.

We need to get Cheryl to contribute over at Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global (WEGG)!

Happy To Make a Must-Read Blog List

We are honored to be selected for the "100 Must-Read Blogs by Women" according to Adam at Blogtrepreneur.

Our thanks to Adam and to all our readers!

Women Entrepreneurs Growing in Numbers

Is there a good, better or best time to start a business? Probably not. When you are ready, you're ready and nothing is going to get in your way -- even if times are tough.

Nancy Michaels authored this piece (not sure how old it is but it appears to still be relevant) published in U.S. News & World Report, special advertising section. She offers some good tips.

DON'T UNDERVALUE YOURSELF. Women tend to give away too much and charge too little, Learned says, especially those in service-based businesses. Learned suggests women in the service industry adopt value-based fees, rather than hourly. This involves pinning a dollar amount to your knowledge and services, and charging per project, not per hour.

REMEMBER WHY YOU STARTED YOUR OWN COMPANY. Women can quickly lose site of their desire to have a balanced life in the face of a demanding new business. Gilmore says she regularly has to stop and weigh the value of the task at the moment against her personal needs.

NETWORK, BUT IN A WAY YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH. Many people who go into business for themselves flock to networking groups because they believe it's the smart thing to do. This is true for men as well as women. But depending on your personality and preferences, these groups may not be the best forum for networking.

DON'T FORGET YOU ARE RUNNING A BUSINESS. Piling on the work/life benefits won't do anyone any good if doing so cuts too deeply into the company's bottom line. "One of the biggest lessons I've learned is how to create a culture that is attentive to the individual and allows you to still make it as a business," says Gilmore.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO PROMOTE YOURSELF. "If your business is to thrive," says Glaser, "you must market yourself and take credit for your achievements. If you don't market your business, no one will know what you have to offer."

10 Women To Watch In Technology

Mass High Tech honors women who excel in technological innovation, entrepreneurship and community involvement for their work as leaders in their field through the 6th Annual “Women to Watch” Awards, announced recently by Mass High Tech: The Journal of New England Technology.

It's obvious that these women bring technology out of the closet and into the public domain where we all benefit.

The 10 very happening women to watch in 2009 can be found here.

Intuit Gets It

Intuit has announced a small business “stimulus package” that will provide the 27 million small businesses around the country with a monetary boost totaling $1,000 per small business and more than $350,000 in grants and donations.

They are doing their part to give us entrepreneurs and small business owners the support we need.

Read more about Intuit's offerings here.

Women Will Rule the Global Marketplace in 2009

Despite tough economic times, you can still find ways to grow your business. Here are 10 top global trends for entrepreneurs (one is that women will rule the global marketplace) looking to do business beyond the ordinary.

Full disclosure: I wrote this piece.

Official: Escape From Corporate America!

We are the originator of the name Escape From Corporate America going back to as early as March, 2003 with our Conference Board article of the same title. We went on to secure a domain name of the same title -- Escape From Corporate America in July, 2004 and started this blog exactly the same time.

We wanted to now let you know that you can find our blog at both www.EscapeFromCorporateAmerica.com and www.EscapeFromCorporateAmerica.blogspot.com. Just be sure to check that nothing has changed at your end on our RSS feed.

Thank you for your readership and we look forward to spending more time with you in 2009!

Grow Your Business Global

We are excited to announce our new social enterprise called Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global (WEGG). It's about bringing global opportunity to women worldwide.

We already have thirteen consequential thought leaders in their respective fields who will be generously sharing their expertise and knowledge through the collaborative WEGG enterprise. And we will continue to build on that list as we grow.

As you surf the Internet, look for the WEGG badge (as shown) which signifies a WEGG Expert. You'll notice it at the bottom right sidebar of Escape From Corporate America -- showing our full support to helping women entrepreneurs advance from running a local to global business.

Please pay a visit when time permits; let us know what you think; and, email us on whether you would like to get involved and why.

Frightened About Your Corporate Job? Become an Entrepreneur

Scared about holding on to your corporate job? Hire yourself! Start a business! Become an entrepreneur! That way, you can't be fired and you have complete control over your destiny.

Being an entrepreneur means no one can fire you. For a woman who wants to have children it means not totally sacrificing your career. The 65-plus executive who is told he must retire but isn't ready doesn't have to. What prevents a disabled person from starting and running their own business? It's really mind over matter.

The quote above is from Marc Kramer's latest column over at TheStreet.com. Definitely worth a read.

Tips For Women Starting a Business

Fellow Chicagoan and superb businesswoman Mellody Hobson (President of Ariel Investments), offers up some tips for starting a business. Although this piece via ABC was published September 2005, the tips are still relevant.

Leftover Holiday Cheer

It's a wonderfully cold snowy day in Chicago. I decided to capture the last little bit of holiday cheer in the neighborhood. Pretty soon, the sun will be shining and flowers will be blooming. Can't wait.

Hope you are doing something incredibly inspiring and entrepreneurial as you read this blog.

Best Gal Bloggers in 2008

According to The Frisky, where they start with The Best Guy Bloggers in 2008, they move on to The Best Gal Bloggers in 2008.

Definitely worth a scan, especially the one called My Mom's Blog (author is now 83 years young).

The New Economic Revolution: Women Entrepreneurs

Have any doubts about what women entrepreneurs will accomplish in 2009? Then read this. Inspiration has never come so easy.

Photo: Boojee Beads

It's a Motherhood and Entrepreneurship Approach

Interesting little piece in the The Christian Science Monitor about a mom traveling with her infant. My favorite part:

It's no wonder that so many women eventually become successful business entrepreneurs. Motherhood requires skills that far exceed the requirements of managing the home. Once you have traveled with a baby, running a multimillion dollar business is a piece of cake. Why shouldn't Bill Gates's office be the next project? The job would be the same although the furniture and trimmings might cost a tad more. And if a mom found Bill sitting in his briefcase playing with his laptop, no one would be concerned.

Read the entire essay here.

Pictured (L-R): Tamara Monosoff, CEO of Mom Inventors, Inc. (not sure who the baby is) and Katie Couric, CBS Evening News Anchor -- both successful mom entrepreneurs.

Take the Plunge Into Entrepreneurship in 2009

Whoever would have guessed that a simple, reflective walk by the lake -- one year ago today and reported here -- capturing an experience would bring such fun, joy and fame to my life.

On the eve of our new year, I found out that I am a finalist for the 1,000 Words Annual Photo Issue contest through the Chicago Reader. Winners will be announced in the next couple of days by a drawing (which I am lucky because if they seriously judged with a panel of experts, my photo would never cut it against the others; you absolutely must take the time to view them all ... powerful, creative work).

It goes to show you that whether you realize it or not, entrepreneurship plays into every aspect of our life. When you least expect it, a natural, self-expressive act can end up generating revenue. In this case, if we win, a $150 Best Buy gift certificate will be ours to spend as we see fit (possibly donate to a charitable organization). Isn't that what entrepreneurship is all about? Making a living out of doing good and pursuing a passion?

Let's keep our fingers crossed that we come out a winner in 2009! Stay tuned.

May this post encourage you to take the plunge into entrepreneurship in 2009. And, remember, you are already winners in my book.

Happy New Year!

Entrepreneurial Escapism: Build a Snowwoman

In the midst of a snowstorm (Chicago), I just had to go out and have some fun. I made this snow(wo)man all on my own -- cucumber eyes, tootsie pop mouth and all!

May the joys of the season shed light,
hope and fill our hearts with peace (+love).

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and yours. Enjoy, be safe and back with you in the new year!

12,000 More Women Are Working

Men are losing jobs at far greater rates than women as the industries they dominate, such as manufacturing, construction, and investment services, are hardest hit by the downturn.

Some 1.1 million fewer men are working in the United States than there were a year ago, according to the Labor Department. By contrast, 12,000 more women are working.

Why is this? Any ideas ladies?

Power Girls Follow Their Instincts

Power girls, better known as women who have escaped corporate America to become entrepreneurs (like Oprah), have incredible instincts and go with their gut when making big decisions for their company. It goes like this: Find it. Trust it. Use it.

Like many of the great moguls of our time, today's new modern women entrepreneurs follow their gut when it comes to their companies. I've heard stories of instincts driving everything from major business decisions to where or when to travel, hunches that turned out to be great ideas, and examples where "just having a feeling" turned out to be a key factor in shaping someone's work or life. It's something I can definitely attest to. Many of my biggest achievements started from a feeling that if I took a leap, I'd be right.

Got a hunch or a great feeling? Then go for it. Don't let anything get in your way to make EXTRAORDINARY things happen in your life.

My mantra in 2009: Be the change you want to see!

Leverage Entrepreneurship to Solve Global Problems

Considering the tumultuous times were in, we need this new initiative from Babson College more than ever right now. Social entrepreneurship will be all the rage in 2009, if it isn't already, because people are on a mission to change our world (yes we can!) and solve global problems.

Visit The Lewis Institute For Social Entrepreneurship and see what you think. Be sure to check out the background on the man who funded this initative, Alan E. Lewis (PDF file). Quite the social entrepreneur.

How To Start A Business With No Money

Erica Douglass quit her job and started a business with $20,000 ($5,000 of her own money and $15,000 from her parents). Read about her tips for success and find out how you can start a business too without a lot of money here.