New data released by American Express OPEN and Womenable reveals some of the impressive achievements of million-dollar women-owned businesses over the past 10 years. Using U.S. census data, the report was authored by American Express OPEN research advisor Julia Weeks. Taking a look at million-dollar women-owned firms by industry as reported by this research, wholesale trade … [Read more...]
21 Entrepreneurs Explain Why 2013 Is the Year to Start a Business
NEWS AND INSIGHTS UPDATE: Earlier this week, Women on Business asked if entrepreneurship is worth the risk. Now, it's time to take that question to the next step and ask if 2013 is the year you should start a business. Jeanette Mulvey of BusinessNewsDaily gathered responses to the question from 21 successful entrepreneurs, and their thoughts on launching a business in … [Read more...]
Customer Service Lessons from Women Entrepreneurs
NEWS AND INSIGHTS UPDATE: What can women entrepreneurs teach us about customer service? Rieva Lesonsky of American Express OPEN Forum provides some specific lessons that women entrepreneurs are using to redefine customer service. Some of the customer service techniques that women entrepreneurs are using might be considered byproducts of innately female characteristics. … [Read more...]
Your Business, Your Leadership
The past week has given me the opportunity to observe the management style of a district manager for a fairly well known retailer. As I have had the horror of observing this individual, I’ve noticed that there are some things that entrepreneurs can learn from this horror movie. The staff mistakes are your mistakes What I have observed is this DM ruthlessly pointing out every … [Read more...]
Back to Basics
As small business owners we routinely perform tasks that larger companies would associate with assistants and receptionists. I answer phones, research client questions as well as conduct meetings and business development. As the economy continues to stall I have found myself performing tasks that even I have had to sit back and wonder if I should be doing them. What I have … [Read more...]
12 Signs You Need More Scale in Your Service Business
NEWS AND INSIGHTS UPDATE: For many business women, giving up control of any part of your company and client relationships can be challenging. However, there comes a time in the lifecycle of every business that you must decide whether you want to limit your growth and stay small or scale to grow with your business. Nina L. Kaufman, Esq. of Ask the Business Lawyer offers 12 … [Read more...]
1 in 4 Women Business Owners Are Not Fully Protected Against Cyber Risks
October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and a new survey from small business insurer Travelers reveals that one in four women entrepreneurs are not completely confident about their level of protection against cyber threats. That's surprising considering that 65% of women entrepreneurs who responded to the Travelers survey indicated that the internet is critical … [Read more...]
Investing in Women [Infographic]
Last month, I shared a disappointing statistic -- only 15% of angel investors are women. But did you know that only 11% of partners in venture capital firms are women? Did you know that women perform 66% of the world's work but only earn 10% of the income? You can see those statistics and more in the Investing in Women infographic shown below from Pemo Theodore, Founder of … [Read more...]
Free Website Design Spotlight: A Tool You Can Use
Being a small business owner myself, I understand the utter terror that grips you when you have to make a purchase for your business. Everything costs you a fortune and your cash flow is never where you want it to be. There seems to be a never ending mantra “I know I need it, but I just can’t afford it right now”. Well ladies the wait is over. We all know that to be successful … [Read more...]
The view from the top
Let’s face it, we all went in to business because we were really good at something and thought we could do it better. A couple of years later, we have learned some new things and are a little less willing to listen to someone else’s advice. But what if that advice is coming from a client? I recently had a situation where some unwanted advice led to a deeper understanding of my … [Read more...]