OK, maybe not world domination exactly.
But pretty fracken close!
Women consistently launch new businesses at a rate at twice that of their male counterparts, according to The Wall Street Journal.
And if you dear reader, are one of those women, you may be looking toward other business leaders to learn their secrets of success. Just make sure you’re looking to good examples!
Be Savvy
Run your business as wisely as you would advise a dear friend to run her personal life. (Suggestions on vodka and singing shenanigans notwithstanding of course.)
Pay your bills on time and use a little common sense… return your biz calls in as timely a manner as possible.
Never take on more debt than you can handle, and consider all the alternatives before making a credit/debt decision.
This is vital, because your business reputation is every bit as important as your personal reputation.
You want everyone you work with, from suppliers to customers, to know that you’re a woman of integrity and strong character.
No one is interested in doing business with the chick who can’t keep her shite together and put her best foot (ankle? elbow? OK never mind, you’re right, it’s no longer the olden days) forward.
It’s the little things, like paying your small business credit card on time and respecting deadlines, that will help you establish your business presence and make a splash within your industry.
Trust Yourself
You know that little voice your mother told you to listen to, that intuition that gave you a “gut check” when things were a little off?
Turns out, your instincts are as important in business as they are in your personal life. (Who knew?)
Once you have a vision of what your business is meant to be and where it’s going, don’t let anyone dissuade you.
If a vendor comes to you with a deal that seems too good to be true, it probably is.
If your instincts tell you that giving a new customer a price break is likely to lead to more business, pay attention to what you’re feeling. It has gotten you this far in life. Trust yourself and your own feelings as you move forward.
And disclaimer… if following your gut (or ignoring it altogether) has brought you to make shoddy decisions in the past… hmmm… perhaps a little therapy might be in order? No judgement!
Take Advantage of Your Network
Whether it’s a group of close girlfriends, old work colleagues, other business owners, or a club specifically geared to entrepreneurs, take advantage of networking opportunities. (I know, I know, networking. Ugg.)
I feel ya, but there’s no denying that networking is a part of doing business. All you introverts, figure out a way to make it work for you.
Many start-up business owners will tell you that it was family and friends who first spread the word about their business.
And if you have a question, it’s great to be able to ask a colleague you once worked with or find a business mentor whose brain you can pick.
One thing human beings love to do is share knowledge. (Don’t believe me? Consider the sharing of this post your evidence.)
Just as you will one day give advice to other women as they begin their business, there are people out there who are willing to share their expertise with you.
Take advantage of all that knowledge, make friends, and build a network of like-minded people you can lean on when you need a little kick in the arse.
Remember: One Step at a Time
There’s always a point where things get a little tricky. Say you’ve had this fabulous idea for a business, experienced the excitement of planning and building a foundation, and possibly even secured investors.
The future looks bright and shiny, and then suddenly it all seems terribly overwhelming.
You might even begin to question what the frack you where thinking.
Relax! Breathe in. Exhale. You’re OK, I promise.
It’s important to know that feelings like that are completely normal and every business owner experiences them at one time or another. The trick is to keep your eyes on the road directly ahead of you.
Or your eyes on the ball… head in the game. Whatevs.
Don’t worry about what you’re going to do if business gets too busy for you to handle on your own, or how you’re going to handle it if a competitor opens their doors on the next corner over.
Simply relax, breathe in, exhale, and focus on your initial vision.
Take one step at a time in order to bring it to fruition, and above all… just keep swimming!
Remember, you are one helluva brave soul, who stepped out of the shadows of the corporate rat race and employee mentality, to think bigger and set out to create your own enterprise.
You have what it takes to see it through, I promise. Just keep the faith, baby.
Over to You
Are you a female trailblazer? Entrepreneur chick looking to make your own way in the big bad world? What fears and obstacles do you find yourself running up against? How do you beat them down? Do tell in the comments below, pretty please. 🙂