Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish. ~ Ovid What great wisdom from a Roman poet. But how often are we willing to take risks and take chances. It's pretty scary, right? Have you thought about what your business would look like if you had NO fear of failure and rejection? Fear is such a powerful … [Read more...]
Business Model Selection: Contract Employee versus Entrepreneur
There are many former corporate employees in business for themselves today. This number has grown recently due to the layoffs and business closings prevalent in today's economic environment as is likely to continue growing in the months to come. These highly skilled people are either finding it difficult to get a new job or have decided they are tired of "making other people … [Read more...]
No business loan, no blueprint: How Jazzercise became a multi-million dollar business by staying true to core values
What do you really need to start a business? Most top 3 lists look something like this: 1. A business loan 2. A business plan 3. A detailed business model or structure According to Jazzercise founder and current CEO Judi Sheppard Missett, her incredibly successful business didn’t require any of these to get off the ground. I recently had the chance to talk with … [Read more...]
Self-Promotion is a Must Have Skill
Self-promotion is a must have skill in today's marketplace. How you use your reputational power and how you promote yourself is key to staying marketable. We, as women, are especially sensitive about selling ourselves, stepping into the spotlight, and talking about ourselves in a positive manner. In my 20+ years of business experience, I have seen the consequences when women … [Read more...]
Success Tips from Savvy Entrepreneurs
Post by Liz Cullen, contributing Women On Business writer I left DC in the pouring rain early this week to arrive at the Women Presidents’ Organization Conference on Coronado Bay in San Diego. The location was tempting and, I admit, was one of the main reasons I lobbied to attend our sister organization’s conference. I have been to WPO conferences for years in various … [Read more...]
Networking: It’s About Giving
What is the real purpose of networking for business? Traditionally, it has always been about meeting people in order to acquaint them with your business, and hopefully, to solicit their support to build your business, or better yet, to get an immediate referral! The traditional goal has always been more about quantity than quality. How many people can I meet at one event? How … [Read more...]
Taking a Risk: It’s All About Trust.
“Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what is next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark” ~Agnes De Mille How likely are you to take a “leap in the dark” in your life and your business? I like this quote because it creates a wonderful image for … [Read more...]
THE 3 Rs of Marketing – Reuse, Recycle AND Reduce
Guest Post by Sherrell Dorsey (Learn more about Sherrell at the end of this post) In the current economy, we have all seen companies of all sizes announcing layoffs and budget cuts. People are spending less and finding new ways to cut their expenses. As a business owner you may have already begun to cut your marketing budget, and although it is a great way to reduce expenses, … [Read more...]
The Importance of Being Certified as a Woman Owned Business
Post by Dr. Marsha Firestone, contributing Women On Business writer Supplier diversity in a company is usually a department that encourages the use of diverse vendors as suppliers. This includes Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Disabled Veteran Businesses (DVB). At the WPEO, we certify … [Read more...]
Word of Mouth Marketing
I have always maintained that the best way to market is by word of mouth. Communicating with your network is the most powerful and important marketing vehicle you've got. I was so pleased to read Seth Godin's blog last week, because he validated this marketing approach and labeled it, the secret of new marketing. In his blog, Seth states: Find ten people. Ten people who … [Read more...]