Nine tips entrepreneurs recommend to women starting their own business
Helpful tips to ensure your business is successful as a woman.
According to Forbes, women in the world of business still face many challenges their male counterparts may not have to contend with, such as greater difficulties with securing funding and higher rates of workplace discrimination.
As women entrepreneurs themselves, members of the Young Entrepreneur Council have experienced many of these hurdles and have overcome them to achieve success.
They each discuss a piece of advice they would give any young woman starting her own business and why they wish they had heard that advice when they first started.
• Take risks and be decisive – Be willing to take risks. Think big and act fast. The less decisive you are and the longer you take to execute your vision, the harder it will be to accomplish big goals. – Jennifer A Barnes, Optima Office, Inc.
• Use discouragement to help you grow – Expect discouragement and use it as a stepping stone to grow further. Face and accept the fact that life is not fair. – Meeky Hwang, Ndevr, Inc.
• Keep your community close – Many of the most successful women in the world have moments of fear, discouragement and doubt. Remember those who believe in you and picture them standing with you whenever doubt creeps in. Step by step, with each woman who enters the realm of entrepreneurship, the world is learning that women in business can be business as usual. – Rachel Lipson, Blue Balloon Songwriting for Small People
• Invest in networking – Building strong and lasting relationships with professionals in your industry can open doors and lead to new opportunities. Also, remember to contribute equally to the networks you join by helping others. – Kelly Richardson, Infobrandz
• Persevere despite all obstacles – There is no such thing as instant success, and you will face countless challenges and even failures down the road. Find the will to keep your chin up and continue giving it your all. – Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
• Move quickly with your ideas – Being an entrepreneur is about action, which you learn after a while in the business. When you have an idea, implement it and analyse it. -Tonika Bruce, Lead Nicely, Inc.
• Be vulnerable and ask questions – You don’t need to pretend that you know everything, and it’s okay to be vulnerable and ask for mentorship in a business setting. – Nathalie Lussier, AccessAlly
• Have confidence in yourself and your abilities – Believe that you can succeed and don’t be afraid to take risks. – Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
• Respond to assumptions with humility and grace – The best way to show people your competence and expertise is to speak confidently. – Givelle Lamano, Oakland DUI Attorneys
