Women's Business Blog

I’m excited that my advice was selected for The 2010 Woman’s Advantage Calendar  www.WomansAdvantage.biz/calendar . Check out the top of the right corner of the page at Entrepreneur Magazine’s www.WomenEntrepreneur.com  and now let me explain why this is so important to do. Women entrepreneurs  identify isolation as their number one problem in running their businesses. The knawing feeling that they are somehow in it alone can reek havoc on what can and should be a focused attention to grow a thriving business. Of course, entrepreneurs of both genders have days when their confidence level is not at its highest, but women tend to point to these moments more often than men as major road blocks to their success. Some of the reasons for this are simple. First, women have been brought up to be the nurturers in our culture and that doesn't stop just because they enter into business. As natural caretakers, women tend to take the emotional interests of their employees, vendors, customers and competitors more to heart and although this can more often be a strength than a weakness it also can leave them feeling spent. Second, the very people who the woman entrepreneur selects to support her in her business decisions - lawyer, accountant, banker, investment advisor, business partner or VC - are the same people who view their role as a supporter of the business and not the women entrepreneur. This reality can often allow the woman entrepreneur to feel all alone. Therefore, the small act of paying it forward gives women in business an opportunity to reach out to others who find themselves in the same predicament. Just think how it would feel to start off your day getting an email from a fellow woman in business expressing her gratefulness for your product/service/friendship/support. This is one small effort women in business can do to support each other. Changing one woman entrepreneur's feeling of isolation into a feeling of advocacy can be the beginning of alteringthe confidence of all women in business. So, take time today to pay it forward.

There has never been a more difficult time in our history, at least since I've been around, to not only grow a business, but to sustain it. The banks have their grips tight around our money -- yes, I said our money. Whether your business has money in the bank or not, the money in the bank is taxpayer money and that is YOUR money. So if you feel angry you have every right to feel that way. But, this blog isn't about getting angry it's about getting even, or better said - finding the money you need in this economy to grow and thrive. The money is out there if you take the time to reach out to the appropriate resources. Women business owners must read Growing Your Business and carefully review each site linked there to find the source that most closely matches your current need. As I coach my clients, when looking for money you must understand not all money comes with the same obligation. You should research carefully and take your time before making a decision about accepting a grant or a loan. Some of the reasons business owners are in trouble now are because they didn't take the time to question the scope of the long term liability the last time they screamed SHOW ME THE MONEY. Nevertheless, don't wait another day to go online today to sites linked above. Some of the wonderful links included are resources such as: small business administration and count me in and more.