As the daughter of a Mexican immigrant who was raised by my Jewish grandmother, I was introduced to the beauty of embracing my unique mix of cultures from a young age. I'm very proud of who I am and where I come from. A long line of warrior women have allowed me to be the business owner and key figure of Chicago's business community that I am today, and in all that I do, I … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Women Entrepreneurs
Throughout my years in business, I’ve made plenty of “mistakes” — although I firmly believe there are no mistakes, only learning experiences. I’ve also picked up a few tips along the way. They’ve helped me to succeed both in founding and running several successful businesses, and also in my pursuit of a meaningful life. 1. Get out of the Waiting Place Building something … [Read more...]
Financial Stability and Entrepreneurship: “How Do You Pay Your Rent?”
If you ask any woman who has a “million-dollar business idea” why they haven’t started said business, the answer most likely has something to do with the financial risk. The worry is not necessarily that the business won’t be successful but more so the fear of leaving a steady-income job to become the entrepreneur she dreams of being. It can be terrifying to not have that … [Read more...]
4 Ways to Make Meaningful Business Connections
"It's lonely at the top." If you're in business or trying to get into the business arena, I'm sure this is something you hear a lot. Even top leaders cannot seem to fathom how lonely and misunderstood they will feel when they take that plunge to open their own business. It's definitely something that is over glorified and not portrayed for what it really is, hard work. I … [Read more...]
8 Things I Learned Starting a Cannabis Business as a Filipina Woman
Seven years ago, I migrated to Canada and started my career as a plant scientist developing organic fertilizers. With all the stress and pressure from work, I made the decision to turn to cannabis for health reasons, but coming from a religious and conservative Filipino family, I kept this as a secret out of fear of being judged by them. This made me realized how the stigma … [Read more...]
10 Qualities of a Successful Female Entrepreneur
A couple of years ago, I quit my 13 year career with a FTSE30 company to set up my own online business. The driving force behind my decision was the fact that I have two young sons, and I was sick of not being there for them. I felt like I was in a permanent state of compromise. If one of my boys was ill or had a school play or concert, I had to choose; miss the event and … [Read more...]
Why the Boston Startup Scene is Perfect for Women Entrepreneurs
Sponsored by Lesley University: In 2015, I attended an event in Boston held specifically to connect women entrepreneurs looking for startup funding with investors. The Boston Women’s Venture Summit, hosted by Babson College, was where I learned just how much the city of Boston was focusing on becoming a hot spot for startups, particularly women-led startups. Even the city’s … [Read more...]
How One Entrepreneur Made $75K In Less Than 6 Months
Before this moment in my life, I was on the financial struggle bus. Even though I was working overtime to get my business off the ground, I saw little to no success from all of my efforts. I was the overdraft queen, and I avoided shopping with others out of fear that my card might come back “declined.” When I wrote a rent check, I hoped it didn’t bounce because there was … [Read more...]
3 Ways Women Entrepreneurs Can Close the Gender Gap in 2017
Women in the U.S. enjoy unprecedented freedoms — but we still have a long way to go before we’re seen as equals to men in the workplace. While the intention to change is more widely acknowledged today than ever before, the gender gap stems from an attitude that’s deep-seated in many companies. Investor and entrepreneur John Greathouse recently wrote a column for The Wall … [Read more...]
7 Reasons Women Make Great Entrepreneurs
There has been a rise in the number of entrepreneurs over the past 30 years who dare to be different and strike out with their own brand of business and leadership style. They “do different” and are not afraid to take risks, stick their neck out, and put their heart and soul into a company or idea they truly believe in. Some are mavericks, some are charismatic, but they do … [Read more...]