It’s Friday and the weekend has begun!  I know with Labor Day fast approaching, we are down to the last days of summer.  However if you are in portions of the U.S. expecting rain this weekend, you may be stuck inside as opposed to enjoying a little fun in the sun.  If rain is in your forecast, then it may be time to dust off the movie rental card.  You can never go wrong with a few movies and snacks!

If you are like me, you can find inspiration in some of the simple things in life even when you least expect it.  I can sometimes find inspiration and motivation in songs, books, and movies.  If you’re looking for something to do this weekend that won’t break the bank and also give you a little entrepreneurial motivation, check out one of my “Girl Power” movie recommendations for a little lift of the spirits.  Not only will you enjoy a few laughs but, you may even be inspired to make your next career move!

Working Girl – Climbing the corporate ladder at its best!

The Devil Wears Prada – A young lady with career ambitions and all of those clothes, shoes, and bags! How could you not be inspired?

Baby Boom – Inherit a baby.  Start a gourmet baby food company!

Chocolat – Do I really have to say anything?  She owns a chocolate shop! Oh and did I mention Johnny Depp?

9 to 5 – This is just pure fun; especially for those of you ready to escape Corporate America!  Show them who’s really the Boss!

Erin Brockovich – She’s tough, she ended up creating a very profitable career for herself,  AND  it’s all for a good cause!

Tags: Business Ideas, chick flicks, girl power, Inspiration, Motivation, Starting a business, weekend fun, Women entrepreneurs

“If you think you can, you can.  And if you think you can’t, you’re right.”

- Mary Kay Ash, Founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics

Doubt can be a major roadblock when it comes to starting a business.  Doubt usually leads to negative thoughts about your abilities as an entrepreneur, which leads to inaction.  Inaction means another day passes without taking steps toward business ownership.  Doubt will cause you to stay in a career situation that isn’t satisfying.  All of these things lead to missed opportunities.

Be positive, look for inspiration, find a mentor, take action, and don’t let doubt delay your entrepreneurial dreams.  If you don’t think you can have the business you’ve always wanted, then who will?

Tags: doubt, entrepreneurial dreams, fear, inspirational quote, mary kay ash, Starting a business, take action, Women entrepreneurs

In my last post, I asked you to think about whether or not you had any of the attributes used to describe a successful entrepreneur.  Writing that post made me think about a study I read about several months ago.  Michelle DeKinder-Smith of Jane Out of the Box conducted a study by interviewing close to 1,000 women business owners over the course of 2 years.  In the interviews she asked them about their definitions of success, their daily struggles, and their dreams.  Her research led her to identify 5 unique types of female entrepreneurs.

Here is a very brief description of each of the 5 “Janes” according to the Jane Out of the Box blog:

Accidental Jane is a successful, confident business owner who never actually set out to start a business.  She may have decided to start her business due to frustration with her job or a layoff.

Go Jane Go is passionate about her work, and has no problem marketing and selling herself – so she has plenty of clients but, she’s struggling to keep up with demand.  She may be a classic overachiever, taking on volunteer opportunities as well.

Jane Dough is an entrepreneur who enjoys running her business and she makes good money.  She is comfortable and determined in buying and selling, which may be why she is 5 times more likely to hit the million dollar mark.

Merry Jane tends to have other pursuits in her life that are critical beyond building her business.  She’s using her company as a fantastic way to do something she loves in her own way and time.

Tenacity Jane has an undeniable passion for her business but, her business is not performing as well as she needs it to financially.  As a result, she’s working longer hours and making less money than she likes.

To find out more about each Jane and to take a FREE assessment to determine which type of entrepreneur you are, go to janeoutofthebox.com.  Which Jane are you?

Tags: 5 types of female entrepreneurs, jane, jane out of the box, running a business, self-assessment, women business owners, Women entrepreneurs

There are a lot of words used to describe entrepreneurs.  Entrepreneurs come in many varieties.  There is no  “one size fits all” in the world of entrepreneurship.  Each entrepreneur is different just as each of their businesses are different.  You will find that entrepreneurs have many traits and characteristics that contribute to their success as a business owner.  Still, there are some things that many successful entrepreneurs have in common.  When it comes to building and running a successful business, you will find that some attributes will crossover from entrepreneur to entrepreneur, industry to industry, and business to business.

If you have started a business or are ready to start a business, how many of the following adjectives can be used to describe you as an entrepreneur?  Which of the following 10 words are on your list of attributes?

1)  Accountable – Be responsible for the decisions you make or do not make regarding your business.  At the end of the day, your success depends on you.

2)  Authentic – Be yourself.  It’s natural and does not require extra effort.  Show your colleagues, customers, and employees the real you and make sure your business represents the real you and not some made up version of you. That way no one has to guess.

3)  Confident – Don’t doubt yourself and the decisions you make.  Having conviction and self-assurance will help you gain the trust of your customers.

4)  Determined – Don’t let obstacles and roadblocks stop you from reaching your goals.  Never let anything get in the way of what you’re trying to accomplish.  Stay the course and fight for what you want.

5)  Fearless – Fear can immobilize you if you let it.  Fear will stop you from pushing forward.  Fear of the unknown will lead you to do nothing.  Be brave and do what’s necessary to get you and your business to the place you want to be.

6)  Grateful – Be thankful for everything, even the little things.  Be glad that you have and will continue to persevere even during the tough days of entrepreneurship.  Be grateful for finishing your business plan, for finding a location for your business, for hiring your first employee, or for making your first sale.  A grateful, receptive heart and mindset will lead you to receive more good things.

7)  Motivated – Give yourself a reason to do what you do.  Be excited about it.  Be a cheerleader for your cause.  If you don’t want to get out and tell your story then no one else will either.

8)  Passionate – Do what you love.  Find the fire.  Do what makes you happy.  Do what makes you want to get out of bed in the morning.  If you follow your passion and put all you have into doing what you love, the money will come.

9)  Realistic – Be honest with yourself.  Set realistic goals for you and your business.  Don’t set yourself up for failure by doing too much too soon.   Make sure your decision making is based on reality and not fantasy.  It’s okay to set lofty goals, just be realistic about how and when you can accomplish them.  Keep it real always.

10) Visionary – Use your imagination.  Have the foresight to be a leader and see the big picture.  You have be able to get to a point where you are working ON your business and not IN your business.  Set long term goals as well as short term goals.  Be able to tell the story of your business from beginning to end, then watch your vision manifest itself.

Do those words describe the entrepreneur in you?  Would anyone else use those words to describe you?  Do you think you have what it takes or do you need to work on a few things?  These aren’t the only qualities that help make an entrepreneur successful but, these attributes will carry you a long way during your entrepreneurial journey.  Don’t just take my word for it.  Talk to your mentor, interview successful entrepreneurs in your community, or read about an entrepreneur that inspires you.  You’ll probably find that they have a few things in common.  Make it your goal to follow in their footsteps and join them in the ranks of successful business owners.  Decide what words will be used to describe the entrepreneur that you are or will become.

Tags: attributes, characteristics, Motivation, Passion, qualities, Starting a business, Startup Tips, successful entrepreneurs, women business owners, Women entrepreneurs