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.