The Harvard Business Review posted a test this week, “Should You Be an Entrepreneur?” The test of 20 questions was created by the author of the article, Daniel Isenberg, who is a professor of management practice at Babson College. I thought it would be fun to pose these questions to those of you who are entrepreneurs, like myself, or to those of you who are … [Read more...]
Do you Have what it Takes to be an Entrepreneur?
Are you thinking about going into business, but don't know if you're ready? You may have the skills to become an excellent entrepreneur. Do you believe in your business and are you willing to make it work for you? Your passion determines your ability to commit to the work. Do you have a head for numbers? You'll need to make projections and identify price points, at … [Read more...]
It takes a Beginner to write a Beginners Guide
I envy those people to whom numbers come naturally. In elementary school, arithmetic was not my strong subject and to this day I can't figure out how I got an "A" in my high school algebra class. My mother, however, was a genius with numbers - she had a successful home business offering bookkeeping and payroll services and doing taxes for folks. Mom didn't progress beyond … [Read more...]
Resources For New Entrepreneurs
If you have always thought about becoming an entrepreneur, or have recently started your own business, there are many resources you can use to help guide you. I have gathered together some of the sites that I visit and that I think are useful for those interested in taking the entrepreneurial route. Do I have what it takes? Some fun online tests to help you determine … [Read more...]
Women Leadership and Mad Men
Some revolutions are bloody, and some are flash-in-the-pan moments. The women’s movement began quietly with a book “The Feminine Mystique”, moved to bra burning, and gained traction with consciousness raising groups. All of that seems like it was centuries ago. We now head large organizations, are in key positions in government, and have a say in just about everything. … [Read more...]
2 helpful guidelines for your business
The younger of my two daughters called this morning and told me about her excitement for the 2010 edition of the San Francisco International Film Festival to be held in April. According to their website, "...Founded in 1957, the San Francisco International Film Festival is the longest-running film festival in the Americas....." Her husband's company handled the tech solutions … [Read more...]
Get over it! (…the fear of being your own boss, that is)
Lately I’ve been experiencing higher than normal anxiety, the fear that maybe it won’t all work out and heavy reliance on emotional support from friends and family. The reason for acting this way, and being totally uncool, is that I have finally decided to follow my dream of being my own boss. That’s right, after several years of working for others while wishing I was … [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...]
Five Great Ways to Earn Extra Money in 2010
In today's down economy, many people have suffered job losses, cutbacks in work hours, and underemployment, resulting in significant income cuts. But with a little creativity, you can create income streams to supplement or replace that lost income. Take Inventory of your skills and strengths, and pick an activity that suits you. Here are five things you can do to make some … [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...]