They say to have the most enjoyment in deriving income is to either do what you love or do what you do best. In this difficult economy, however, that's easier said than done. Sometimes to make ends meet people are starting home businesses by finding a need and filling it. Some people are using what innate skills they have and building a small business out of that. I'm … [Read more...]
3 Rules for Business
There's a popular saying that goes, "Rules are meant to be broken!" After all, isn't that how one breaks out of the proverbial "box?" How could you possibly think outside the box if you're constantly following all the rules that demand you stay in the box? In the art classes I've taught, many times students would ask me about the "rules." The "you should always" things. … [Read more...]
Consistency is one part of a healthy business
What stands as the infrastructure of your business? If you are a solo-preneur, a home-based business owner or even just a small business with a partner, then the infrastructure isn't an organizational structure, rather it's how you do your business. Something holds your business together and keeps it going. I posit that one of the underlying structures for tiny businesses is … [Read more...]
Being in Business is Risky Business
Having a business of your own is a bit like being a creative writer. A creative writer loves to ask and answer the question: what would happen if....? What would happen if: the title character were a woman instead of a man the title character were 75 years old and slightly deaf the title character had a side-kick who was independently wealthy all the action took … [Read more...]
Top 10 US Cities to Capture Small Business Recovery Act Dollars
Uncle Sam wants small business entrepreneurs to lead the nation to economic recovery--and has billions of dollars to make it happen. Small business owners are in line to receive low-interest loans and government contracts through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). To secure your little corner of the recovery, you'll need to be at the right place with the right … [Read more...]
Leadership Partnership and Business Possibilities
Clearing out the old to make way for the new is a wonderful practice as we enter a new year. This time, as we graduate into a new decade, the teen years of the century, we have an amazing opportunity to find a better balance and create a different kind of partnership between men and women. I believe that female leaders in the work world can lead the way in positive and … [Read more...]
Women Leaders and the Gift of Authenticity
Leadership is a front-and-center job. It’s hard to hide, and if you have chosen leadership, why would you even want to be in the background? Yet, there are times we all need a break and even then, even when you are on holiday, you know you are still being judged, worshipped, detested, quoted, ridiculed, respected, and second-guessed. It’s the nature of the position. Take a … [Read more...]
Think long-term solidity rather than short-term success
There is no denying that this past year of 2009 has been tough economically for nearly everyone. In the U.S., 35 states were reported to have an unemployment rate of over 5% as reported for October on CNNMoney. That is a lot of people without jobs and income. My home state of California currently has an unemployment rate of 12.3% according to today's CNNMoney report - even … [Read more...]
Leadership and Parenting
Whether we have children or not, we all have parents; some we revere, some we revile, and some play a minimal role in our lives. So what does this have to do with business? The original organization we all joined was the family and the remnants of our experiences there are replicated in our present work organization. Whether we like it or not, there are parent figures that were … [Read more...]
The Work that Women Choose to Do
There was a time in my life when the work I did was work I could get...sometimes survival mode dictates our direction. I've worked as a waitress, a receptionist and file clerk to earn a paycheck. Those were not choices, those were positions available. And I almost didn't get those because I was "over qualified." In fact my first waitressing job I very nearly didn't get … [Read more...]