Entrepreneurial Inspiration: What Do You Stand For?
Advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
Just like the colors outside my window have changed over time, so have my perspectives and opinions. If I asked you the question,”What were you most passionate about 20 years ago” would your answer be the same today or would it be different? Has something occurred in the past 10 years of your life that created a desire within you to improve the world? Perhaps a random experience set you on an unexpected course that has taken you to where you stand today operating a business or organization you never imagined.
Sometimes it is hard to say when change occurs within us. For the most part, big life changing events change us immediately; but most often subtle shifts in thoughts, new people we meet or wisdom we glean makes us realize we changed. Other times it can be friends or family telling us we are different. If only seeing change within ourselves was as easy as watching leaves change from green to orange outside our windows.
At last week’s Women TIES Retreat I surprised the audience by having a woman dressed as feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton share her thoughts on why she and our foremothers fought so hard for women’s rights 80 years ago. As I sat with my back to the audience mesmerized by her words, I could not see the reaction of the women in the room. Elizabeth’s speech was more about feminism than entrepreneurship so I wasn’t sure how the audience would respond. The only thing I could trust was my desire to bring my feministic approach to life, work and business to the event for others to experience. The response was positive.
I didn’t see the world “pink” 20 years ago, the way I view it today. I view the world pink because I notice when women aren’t equally represented in government or leadership roles. I view the world pink when I support any woman trying to change the world for the better for women – no matter what the issue. I view the world pink in my own household where I talk about inequality with my two sons who think the issue of equality has been solved and won’t affect their lives.
Today’s blog post is to ask you what you stand for. What moves you the most? Is it the same as it was 10 or 20 years ago? Is it different? If it is different, are you lending your voice enough on the subject? Perhaps your family member was diagnosed with cancer and you have been a cheerleader for a cure ever since. Maybe there are community members around you that don’t have enough food so you got involved with an agency that feeds people. Maybe you needed a certain product that wasn’t offered in the market, so you created one. I want you to stop today and see how you have changed for the better in your life or in your business the past 20 years and write it down. Recognize what you stand for.
Remember if we forget to see all the beautiful red and yellow leaves gracing the trees and they get blown away by the wind, we will never realize they existed. It can be the same in our own lives. By acknowledging the important issues that have deepened within us over time, we can see how we have changed for the better.
Wisdom Gleaned From Live Events, Podcasts or Webinars
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
As I sat in a room full of women entrepreneurs listening to ten female speakers throughout the course of the business conference, I realized I couldn’t possibly capture all the emotions, thoughts, suggestions and strategies of the day. Instead of trying to remember everything, I sat and only wrote down the statements from the presenters that resonated with me.
Whether you are reading a book, listening to a podcast, watching a webinar or participating in a large conference, the best thing you can do to maximize the results of the experience is to listen with not only your ears but your heart, head and spirit. I believe we are called to educational and inspirational events to learn something we might not know we need to hear or learn. By the end of the program, we are enlightened to why we were called there in the first place.
At my recent annual conference for women entrepreneurs where 11 women spoke, I jotted down meaningful phrases, quotes and suggestions that were essential messages of the presenters. I wanted to share some of those with you today hoping they might inspire you to new levels of personal or business success.
“My voice was too quiet in the beginning, it wasn’t until the end when my voice was loud. More often than not I failed and I was afraid but I had to fight on.” – Elizabeth Cady Stanton impersonator discussing her feelings related to her fight to support equal rights for women in the 1800s.
“Anger prospers us into action….fear does not. The very worst thing that I was given in life gave me the best purpose.” – Trish Torrey, EveryPatientsAdvocate.com discussing how a life threatening cancer misdiagnosis led her to create a national organization of patient empowerment.
“It is never too late to become what you want to be in life.” – Ann Sageer, CiaoChowBambina.com reciting a quote that propelled her to leave education to become a food blogger and photographer.
“If your why doesn’t make you cry, you aren’t in the right place in life. Sales is about who you are being, not what you are selling.” – Sierra Sullivan, LifeStylized, explaining the level of passion a woman must be as an entrepreneur to “sell” their services or products to others.
Take a minute and write down your own inspirational thoughts of the moment, share them with your audience and keep them someplace you can see them.
What Was Your Moment of Commitment to Your Business?
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
“What was your moment of commitment to your business,” was a question asked to three women entrepreneurs yesterday. The women answered the question with unique answers. One said, “It was when I started my business in debt and I knew I had no choice but to make it financially successful because I owed money.” Another one replied, “The moment I realized I didn’t have a true mission and vision for my company and it was imperative to create one to take the business to the next level.” The third one said, “When I added staff and was committed to their financial future as well as my own.”
I thought about my answer silently as the conversation continued. Would you know how to answer that question if I asked you right this minute to tell when you knew without a doubt you were committed to the financial success of your business? I’m sure your answer is as unique as the women at yesterday’s meeting.
As women business owners, we possess passions that propel us to start our companies. But as you know entrepreneurship is not easy. The road is not even, the vistas ahead unknown, the turns and curves unexpected; but at some point when we are driving down the business highway about to make a decision to get off, we stay the course. It might be because we have an “Aha” moment – a moment of commitment – when we discover we need to step up our game to keep our businesses alive. As much as we need passion to keep running our companies, we need something more important – profitability. We must commit to making our enterprises that much stronger financially.
Today’s business post is meant to inspire you to think about the recent or past moment when you committed to making your business better. It might have been when you decided there was nothing else you wanted to do or nowhere else you wanted to be in your career. Perhaps it was when you were tired of not making enough money, taking on the wrong clients, or keeping things too status quo to excel; those were your moments of commitment. Write them down. Keep them visible. Let them inspire you. If you don’t have one, maybe today is the day to have your moment.
Commitment is a promise, a pledge, or an obligation to something. Embrace your moments of commitment to your profession, your business, and your entrepreneurial life and make it financially better.
Lessons on Entrepreneurship From Pope Francis Visit to America
Business Inspiration for Women Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Like many people yesterday, I was captivated watching Pope Francis’ appearances in America. This warm, gentle, caring man touched my heart the moment he stepped out onto the Vatican porch when he was announced as the new leader of the Catholic Church. He reminded me instantly of the beloved Syracuse priest Father Joseph Champlin who touched my family’s hearts as our local priest before his passing. The kindness radiated from both of their eyes and smiles.
I have always believed that my entrepreneurial life has been a gift not only for myself but for the people that walk through my company doors and attend my events. I have been welcoming women entrepreneurs into my life for 2 decades. Like Pope Francis, it hasn’t mattered if they were white or black, old or young, barely making money or making millions. Every woman entrepreneur in my eyes hold the same esteem since they are doing their best to change the world for the better through what they offer.
I credit my warmth and inclusiveness to my upbringing and my faith. When a homeless, toothless man eats across from you at your family’s Thanksgiving table when you are in elementary school, you see with your eyes and heart. When your family table is encompassed by gay artists sharing their talents, you experience compassion and understanding. When numerous priests join you to eat because your mother has befriended them, you gain insight into their lives. It is hard to witness such acts of kindness and not be touched forever.
I have always treated the female entrepreneurs who have graced my presence for 20 years as dear guests at my family table. I welcome them into the space I have created for them to learn and be inspired. Our events are always around a meal and I can’t sit down to enjoy mine until I have made sure my guests are content. In many ways, my business is my family table and the women joining me are the food that fuels my heart and spirit.
I hope today you look at your business differently. I hope you are inspired by Pope Francis’ personality and warmth to light something special within you. Let your love for what you do as an entrepreneur be a beacon of meaning and light for the people you serve. Gather with them around your own business table from time to time to take in their company and walk away blessed.
A Blank Canvas Business Day
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
Every day we begin with a blank slate. The sky is black until it turns to dark blue than to light blue and eventually clears. The night sky starts in hues of golden yellow, soft orange, sea shell pink and lavender until it fades to black and becomes sprinkled with white stars. Even when we awaken in the morning to start another business day, we have a blank canvas to fill with whatever priorities we face, people to talk with and places to go. A blank canvas every morning is a gift.
Earlier this year when I started plans for my organization’s annual conference for members and women entrepreneurs around the state, I started with a blank canvas. I didn’t know who I was going to ask to speak, what topics they would cover or what themes would develop. Just like painting on a canvas, the colors of the event came alive with conversations and crystallized over time.
When I look at the program we created for next week’s conference, I see central themes of feminism, legacy, reinvention, communication and bonds. Each presenter helped me paint the perfect day filled with the right balance of inspiration and education by agreeing to share what they have done well so other women can succeed. The Retreat canvas is sprinkled with colors of rose, yellow and black.
The color rose will represent the positive relationships between the women who will gather as they conjure up new “pink” personal and economic ties that can be strengthened even more in the future. The color yellow will embody the radiance of the women who attend and the positivity of the day. The color black demonstrates the “strong” women come together to learn, be educated and seriously contemplate their future success.
Today’s post is to remind you today you have a blank canvas in front of you that is ready to be painted. Just as the glowing sunrise paints the leaves on the trees with their glow, you have the ability to paint your day with whatever you want to achieve. It doesn’t matter if yesterday was a bad day or if you are nervous about the future, right now be mindful of the kind of day you want to paint for yourself and your business and get to painting it.
Monday Motivation: Take A Leap of Faith
Business advice and inspiration for women entrepreneurs
Every Monday morning I awaken to a new work week, well rested from the weekend and eager to take a leap of faith into a new challenge. As a woman entrepreneur that new challenge might be trying to secure a meeting with an “unreachable” businesswoman, contacting local media to get your business news on television, or committing to a larger monthly revenue goal which starts with cold calls today.
A leap of faith is an act of believing in or accepting something intangible.. People who take a leap of faith believe in their ability to achieve the unachievable because the risk is worth the reward.
Last week I committed to a very large personal and professional challenge which will take me to New York City for four days to meet and reside with an International female icon and 13 other women from around the nation and globe. The experience will test my comfort level; but I am propelled to be there. I will take a leap of faith knowing I will understand better why I am embarking on the experience once I’m living it.
Today’s post is to motivate you this Monday to take a leap of faith in your business or personal life, to jump off the ledge into something new, to challenge yourself to be more than you are at the moment, and to embrace challenges knowing you will change for the better. Fearlessness breeds freedom.
What leap of faith are you ready to make this Monday morning? I hope you do what you are dreaming of understanding you are never alone because every day somewhere another person is taking their own leap of faith….and succeeding.
“The Way Life Should Be” for Women Entrepreneurs
Business inspiration and wisdom for women entrepreneurs
On the edge of the infinity pool, the water flowed over into an unseen space collecting itself and refilling the pool when needed. In the distance the open sea with rugged rocky surroundings and sparkling sunshine rested on its waters. Steam rose from the heated pool warming my head cooled by the mid-coast Maine mist. When I finally left the sanctuary of the beautiful view and relaxing place, I was ready to embark on two days of detailed wedding coordination for my brother getting married at a rock altar overlooking the sea. I was rejuvenated and ready to work to make the day extra special for him.
Two days later at the reception I found myself huddled in a corner of a quaint reception hall, strung with white lights, overlooking lobster boats in the Rockport, Maine harbor with my 5 sisters. We reminisced, laughed and enjoyed the moment of being all together. There is something so simply refreshing and joyful about being surrounded by other women, as if time stands still, happiness overflows and all is right with the world.
As I drove back late Monday night from our family wedding, the images from the pool and being with my sisters reminded me of why I create an annual conference for women. It is to bring them together for one special day where they can rejuvenate their own spirits, tantalize their minds with success strategies and enjoy time with their “sister” entrepreneurs. The intent is when they leave the event, just like when I left Maine; they are refreshed, enlightened and ready to work again.
There are many choices in life and any invitations to participate in special events. Like a family wedding, there can be an obligation to attend; but many don’t come with mandatory circumstances. Sometimes we are drawn to an event because we know we need to learn from what it offers. We are called to embark in an experience knowing it is right for us because the urge to participate arises within.
I hope right now you are inspired to rest for a moment in the spaces I described above to feel peace, joy and sisterhood. Our fast paced entrepreneurial lives doesn’t allow us many down days and our solo business settings can keep us separated from women who are living life as we do. I hope the images above relax you. I also hope you answer the question, “When is the last time I took time for myself to enjoy a day away to replenish myself so I come back ready to work?”
I can tell you from my recent Maine excursion that the joy from a personal experience can spill into your own pool of wellness opening up your mind and spirit to a new way of feeling and reconnecting to yourself and others like you. Maine’s motto is “The way life should be.” I say “It is the way women entrepreneur’s lives should be.”
Serendipitous Business Moments – How They Help You Succeed
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
Serendipity is found in many situations in business and life…..
Little did I know when I became a woman entrepreneur 2 decades ago that technology would become such an essential part of running a business. Technology didn’t exist when my parent’s ran their Ski Shop in the early 1970’s. Technology was just starting to make its way into my high school when I graduated in the early 1980s. In fact it intrigued me so much that I went to SUNY Oswego as a computer science major when “punch cards” were how you communicated with computers. It was a subject I never mastered so I changed to business.
As I became a woman entrepreneur in 1995, I had a small amount of knowledge from my higher education job using email, excel and databases. Not many companies had websites. In fact at the end of 1994 statistics say there were only 10,000 websites in existence. So when I launched my first website in 1996 for Five Star Events, I was taking advantage of new technology not many women entrepreneurs used.
As years advanced, so did the multitude of ways to communicate, promote and connect with customers, vendors and associates through technology. There was nothing you could do as a small business owner but learn fast about new ways to use it to better in your company. As many entrepreneurs know, it is hard to take time away from one’s company to learn new technology when keeping clients happy, bringing in revenue and marketing your company is at the top of the priority list.
So when I realized one day that my initials were “T.E.C.H.” and I was behind the learning curve when it came to new technology to advance my business, I saw the serendipity and committed to offering more programs on the subject like the one we are offering at our annual conference for women entrepreneurs on October 1st, to read about new technologies and to hire professionals to help me in this area.
Today’s blog post is to remind you that if you don’t know vital topics in business you must dedicate time and resources to learn, especially if others are succeeding by using specific tools, programs and strategies that are working well.
I sure do wish my initials were “P.R.” or “M.K.T.” since that is what I excel at but maybe serendipitous moments are meant to shine a light on something we must focus harder on learning to improve our lives.
Using Your Voice and Personal Passion to Institute Change
Business advice, wisdom and inspiration for women entrepreneurs
The flavor of this week’s blog posts has been women’s rights. Sprinkled in this 7 year old blog has been business success strategies, insight into current affairs, inspiration from other women entrepreneurs and feministic topics. It was impossible to start a new business day without recapping the words of New York State Senator Kirsten Gillibrand who keynoted the “Women’s Day Luncheon” at yesterday’s New York State Fair.
Gillibrand reminded the sold out crowd of mostly women, “Women still have much to do to make sure they are treated equally.” She asked women to ponder whether they have a cause they are championing, a societal issue they want changed or action to pursue based on an unfair situation in the workplace, schoolroom or society. “Your voice does matter and you can achieve change,” she told the crowd.
Gillibrand shared her personal work in trying to push through the Family Act which would give every American worker access to paid family and medical leave. She also shared her passion to continue the fight to get military sexual assault reform legislation through the Senate. It has failed in the past but after having 2 women personally tell her about their sexual assault cases, Gillibrand is motivated to keep trying to get the legislation passed.
Today I hope you are inspired to tally up the causes you have championed over your lifetime reflecting on your personal impact on them. Feel proud about how you have made a difference. If you feel you have not contributed enough, start today by joining an organization, getting involved in making changes in our laws or using your unique passion to start a new movement.
Every change in our world starts somewhere, typically with one person. Maybe today is the day you start something beneficial to change the world for the better and positively impact thousands of individuals lives.
Women Entrepreneurs – What Do You Stand For?
Business advice and entrepreneurial wisdom for women entrepreneurs
Last Wednesday, after sending the Wednesday Wisdom, my social media marketing pages was flooded with quotes and photos from a multitude of women sharing the “Women’s Equality Day” holiday with me. The holiday was created to commemorate the granting of women’s right to vote on August 26, 1920 when the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution became law.
It made me proud my business brand is so strongly associated with women’s equality – especially women’s pay equality – since I have worked to bring women entrepreneurs together for 20 years to buy and sell with each other to increase their sales potential individually and collectively as a group. I know creating a stronger financial buying circle today will benefit the women and girls of the next generation.
Yesterday when I was asked to speak at an event, I was questioned about the origin of my strong personal and business brand. I said, “It has never mattered to me whether I was supporting a woman who was 30 or 65, black or white, straight or gay, running a small business or multi-million dollar corporation, all I have strived to do is help any woman market her company, increase her sales potential and encourage buying among women to equal the financial playing field that still exists today.”
I am constantly questioned about my strong feministic stance about women and money and whether I fear being so strongly identified with my belief. Today’s quote on a favorite inspirational calendar explains, “At the deepest level of the mind there are no problems, only fear; there are no conflicts, only fear; and there is not lack, only fear. Success is letting go of fear.” I have no fear of people questioning my opinion, my focus and my intention to support women only. I cannot be swayed; it is rooted in who I am. I know success comes from letting go of other people’s judgments and stepping strongly into your own light of what you want to change in the world.
Today I challenge you to ask yourself what higher level of entrepreneurial success you could achieve if you let go of fear – fear of failure, fear of other people’s opinion, fear of investing too much, fear of standing strong in your own personal mission, and fear of changing the world for the better? Every time you are brave stepping into your own light, the sooner you will face success and contentment.
Bask in your own strong personal brand today and remember mine by continuing to deposit your money into the hands, pocket books, bank accounts and future of other women. Together we can sail into the future being as financial successful as men.
Women TIES 