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!

“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?

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?

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.

When it comes to starting a business, we sometimes get stuck over analyzing what to do and where to go from here.  We want everything to be perfect so, we spend most of our time trying to change and fix things before we even get started.  “Analysis Paralysis” can be one of the biggest obstacles that would-be women entrepreneurs have to overcome.  I know this very well because I’ve been stuck there many times myself.  It’s an easy trap to fall into and it usually hinders our progress and keeps us from moving forward with our business in a timely manner.

The truth is that at least 90% of the time, what we are trying to do is not brand new.  Most of the time our business idea is an improvement upon, an addition to, or a different twist on an old product or service.  This is not to say that you aren’t brilliant and have great ideas.  It’s just highly probable that what you want to do has been done in some form or fashion before.  My point is that there is no need to re-create the wheel unless you have a product that is a new invention that’s never existed before.

Do your research, use what’s already out there, and build upon that.  Entrepreneurs have been doing that since the beginning of time.  This very concept is why we have options in the marketplace.  There would be no need for the phrase “new and improved” if we weren’t constantly looking for better ways to do things.  That’s where you, the new entrepreneur, comes in.  Maybe you have an idea that’s an improvement on an existing baby product or you’ve come up with a service that would be a great addition to your day spa experience.  In either case, there are people out there that have been there and done that.

Don’t get stuck in the beginning trying to create everything from scratch.  Don’t allow yourself to think that you can’t move forward and take action on your new business until you come up with all of the answers on your own.  Research is an important part of any business startup phase.  Use the resources that you find.  Find examples of businesses that closely resemble what you are trying to do and use them as a starting point or model for your business.  Communicate and network with others to get the help that you may need to add your new spin to an old idea.  Be creative. Your idea is probably a good one.  Don’t make the marketplace wait to see what you’ve come up with.  There’s always room for something that’s new and improved!

“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love.  Don’t make money your goal.  Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.”  – Maya Angelou

TGIF! I don’t know about the rest of you but, I am glad that it’s Friday! Why is it that when you are out for a couple of days to travel, it always seems to take more than a couple of days to catch up? It’s been a week since I traveled to my family reunion but, I think it’s going to take the weekend to truly catch up and recover!

I thought that today’s post would make a great follow-up to the question I asked in a post earlier this week. Earlier I asked, “Why do you want to start a business?” Today, I want you to consider if you have what it takes to start a business. The answers to both of these questions are important as you make your decision to jump into the world of business ownership.

If you aren’t sure WHY you want to start a business or IF you have what it takes to start a business, then you may need to reconsider your decision to become an entrepreneur. Starting and running a business is not for the faint of heart so, knowing WHY you’re doing this and IF you can do this gives you something to fall back on while you go through the ins and outs of running a business.

The July/August issue of Inc. magazine features an article, “Do You Have the Right Stuff?” In this article, the author tells you to ask yourself 6 questions before you start a company. These questions will make you think and really consider the road ahead before moving forward with your business. The 6 questions to ask are:

1) Do you believe you have what it takes?

2) Are you able to let other people down?

3) How do you handle setbacks?

4) Are you really an inventor, rather than an entrepreneur?

5) Can you accept that your company may outgrow you?

6) When you look in the mirror, does an entrepreneur look back?

What are your answers to those questions? How many of those questions could you answer in the affirmative? Be honest with yourself. If your answers need a little work, then take some time this weekend to consider the task ahead and be sure you have what it takes to build your dream business. Go to Inc. magazine’s website to read the article in its entirety. Have a great weekend!

I’m still recovering from a nice long weekend of mingling with 100+ relatives at my family reunion in Ohio.  It was a great weekend and I had a great time but, I always need time to recover when it’s over.  However, my recovery time will be short this year because next year’s reunion is in Atlanta, GA.  Guess what I’ll be working on in my spare time for the next 12 months!!!  One of the many perks of owning a business is being able to arrange a schedule that will accommodate taking on a project like that!

I always ask the following question of would-be clients and anyone else that tells me they want to start a business.  WHY do you want to start a business? There are just as many answers to that question as there are people that respond.  Everyone has their own answer or reason for wanting to start a business.  Some reasons are deeply personal and complicated. Still, others are pretty basic and cookie-cutter. Through it all, I’ve found that a lot of the reasons tend to fall in 3 general categories.

1.  A More Flexible Schedule

You may have children and want to be able to spend more time with your family.  In my case, my mother was ill and lived 4 hours away and I wanted to be able to care for her and spend time with her.  Some may want to have more time for travel and doing the things you like to do.  Regardless, having a business where you are in more control of your time is a very desirable perk.

2.  Pursue A Passion

It’s easy to find ourselves just going through the motions when we are doing something that doesn’t interest us or feeds our need to do something meaningful.  Many would-be entrepreneurs want to turn a passion of theirs into a business.  They want to feel as if they are adding value and doing more than contributing to a corporate bottom line.  Owning a business allows many to be creative and spread their wings.  In the end, most of us want to do something that makes a difference and gives us a feeling of pride as we watch it grow from conception to a profitable business.

3.  Long-Term Financial Freedom

We’ve all heard that you’ll never get rich working for someone else.  Many people want to be able to create, build, and grow their own wealth as opposed to being dependent upon a paycheck.  The current state of the economy reminds us that there are no guarantees.  Today, there are many people who lost jobs and/or retirement nest eggs and they are turning to entrepreneurship as a means to start over and hopefully, lead them to future financial freedom.

What are your reasons for starting a new business?  Why do you want to take that leap from employee to business owner?  What do you hope to accomplish in your new venture?  Make sure you really consider the answers to these questions and others before taking the plunge.  You want to be sure you do it because it’s right for you and you are ready to do the work.  Your reasons for starting your business should mean enough to you to serve as inspiration and motivation to keep you going and help you set goals that will lead you to success.

It’s Friday and I’m on my way to my family reunion in Ohio.  Every year my dad’s side of the family has a reunion and it always makes for a fun and  interesting event!  Both of my parents have passed so, it’s not quite the same attending these kinds of functions without them.  Nevertheless, I always enjoy seeing my relatives and this year my brother and I are traveling to the reunion together.   I’m sure the weekend will be better than anything you can find on Reality TV!!!

As I thought about my upcoming reunion, I naturally thought about the importance of having support systems in our business lives, as well as our personal lives.  We usually do a good job surrounding ourselves with supportive family and friends when it comes to our family lives. However, we tend to try and go it alone when it comes to our careers and business affairs.  Our careers are, in some cases, one of the few places we get to shine and have a little control.  We typically know what we are doing in that environment and we beam with pride when we do it well.  It’s especially gratifying when we can take all of the credit for our accomplishments.

No matter how competent you are and how many things you can juggle at once, starting a business is no time to try and go it alone.  I mentioned in my last post that you should seek out a mentor as you begin to get your business off the ground.  You should also be sure that you include your family, friends, and people in your community that wish you well.  Share your plans with them.  Get their input and feedback.  Allow them to just listen when you’re having tough times and make sure you celebrate with them when you reach milestones.

Everyone needs a cheerleader in this tough world of business ownership.  There will be long days and nights and a lot of lonely times as you pour your heart and soul into the business of your dreams.  Everyone else may not be as committed to your dream as you are but, those who love you will support you and cheer you on.  Don’t try to be the superwoman that you are and do this alone.  Be sure you include your parents, siblings, children, and best friends in your entrepreneurial endeavors.

You’ll be glad that you brought someone along for the ride, whether it’s a shoulder to lean on during the rough days or someone to share a toast with during the celebrations.  Having a support system in place will make the journey a little easier and reaching your goals a little sweeter.  Have a great weekend!

“A year from now you may wish you had started today.” – Karen Lamb

Procrastination is not our friend yet, it hangs around everyday waiting for a chance to join our party.  If you are like me, you’ve invited procrastination into your life on more than one occasion.  It’s a little easier to avoid the pitfalls of procrastination when you have a set plan or to-do list.  When you know exactly what you’re doing and feel comfortable doing it, you are less likely to put something off until tomorrow.

However when it comes to doing new things, we tend to delay our efforts to get started.  The fear of the unknown and doubts about our abilities sometimes hinder our progress.  I know that starting a new business is one of those things that gets put on the back burner if you are uncertain about how to start or you fear the end result will be less than stellar.  We tend to think that if we put off starting that business just a little while longer, then it will be easier and our chances for success will be greater.

While it is true that a little preparedness goes a long way when starting a business, doing nothing will get you absolutely nowhere.  You already know that you want to start a business and you even have a great idea that could translate into profits.  So, what have you done to move forward with this idea and fulfill your dream of business ownership?  Here are 5 easy things you can do right now:

1. Organize your Thoughts and Put them on Paper – You have heard me say this before and it’s still a good place to start.  This a time for you to see your ideas start to come together and form an actual business plan.  It makes the thought of entrepreneurship seem real.  Once you start to organize your thoughts, you will begin to picture the vision you have for your business and that will lead you to take the necessary steps to make it a reality.

2.  Read – You can never read enough or have too much information when trying to start and run a business.  Read books about, written by, and written for women entrepreneurs.  These books will not only serve as inspiration but, many of them will give you insight and tips about making it as an entrepreneur.  Dust off your library card and be sure to check out some of the recommended reading on the Boutique Bookshelf.

3.  Research – Once you’ve organized your thoughts and you start reading about other women entrepreneurs, you will want to begin research on your specific industry and target market.  It’s great reading and learning about Elizabeth Arden or Lisa Price of Carol’s Daughter but, if you want to start a Day Care you may want to be sure you are knowledgeable about that industry and it’s practices.  I’ve never run a Day Care but, I’m pretty sure it’s a little different than running a cosmetic empire.  Know YOUR business.

4.  Network – Take the time to join organizations and meet people that may be able to provide help and guidance for you during your business venture.  You can’t do this alone.  You shouldn’t even try.  Get out and talk about your ideas.  Tell others what you want to do.  Find out what others are doing and how they are doing it.  Whether it’s an organization like National Association of Female Executives or something very specific like National Speakers Association, they all provide access to resources and people that can assist you while you take this journey.

5.  Find A Mentor - Find someone you can talk to on a one-on-one basis that will be there to answer questions and give advice.  You may meet this person through one of your networking events, you may know them from your community, or you may hire them as a consultant or coach.  In any case, find someone that will help you get organized and come up with a plan.  Someone who has been there and done that.  Someone who wants to help you and see you succeed.  Everyone could use a mentor and personal cheerleader.  Be sure you find one early in the process.

Just doing these simple things can get you started down the path to entrepreneurship.  Starting and running a business is a lot of hard work and very time consuming.  That fact will not change whether you start today or next year.  However, you will get a lot farther and begin to enjoy the benefits much sooner if you start today.