How Do You Know When You've Made It As a Business Owner?

While more and more women have been opening their own businesses, women entrepreneurs still face challenges when branching out on their own and moving up in professional settings.

Fast Company spoke with six women entrepreneurs who have created thriving small businesses. Some of these businesses add a dash of beauty to the world through flowers or jewelry, some offer joy with artisanal treats, and still others make life easier for new moms through the cutest kids PJs or functional breast pumps.

But they all have commonalities that began when the women first turned their passion projects into viable incomes. 

Here, they share the stories of founding their businesses—and the moments they knew they’d made it.  It boils down to:  What does success as an entrepreneur look like? 

Passion. Collaboration. Community.

Passion, collaboration and community are key to running a successful business. That’s according to a recent survey of women business leaders as part of PNC’s bi-annual Economic Outlook Survey.

“Women entrepreneurs are leading with passion for their business, confidence, and optimism for the future,” Peterson-Sheptak, head of Business Banking at PNC, said. “We need to make sure we have the resources and people to support their success.”

APCO's Margery Kraus Offers Top Strategies for Women Founders

Margery Kraus (pictured), a globally recognized master storyteller and communications innovator, is the founder and executive chairman of APCO, a global advisory and advocacy consultancy headquartered in Washington, D.C.  She is also the former WPO Board Chair.

She has deep expertise in providing strategic counsel on issue-based communication, crisis management, market entry and corporate reputation across diverse industry groups.

Margery founded APCO in 1984 and transformed it from a company with one small Washington office to a multinational consulting firm in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Read the interview with Margery conducted by Vanessa Ogle at Medium.  Rich in detailing and incredible insights are shared.

From Succession Planning to Building a Leadership Factory

Leading a global organization in today’s fragmented world is difficult—perhaps more difficult than ever.  Difficult times demand great leaders.

Here’s an overview of traits and practices required to succeed as a leader today and a look at the factory model that can help aspiring managers ascend.

What to Do When You Have to Deal with a Toxic Employee?

We often talk about how difficult it can be when you have a toxic manager. At Fast Company, they've shared plenty of advice on how to handle a micromanager, or what to do when your boss is absent or neglects to give you important feedback.

But bosses, too, can face their own share of challenges navigating tricky relationships with people they manage. So what do you do when you have to deal with a toxic employee?

Read on.

Be There Fast, Be There First, and You Win. WRONG.

©2024 Laurel Delaney.  All rights reserved.

From thought leader Jim Collins:  "I recently [2000] met with the CEO of a hot Internet company who described his concept for competing on the Web: “It’s a big land rush,” he explained. “It’s all about being the first to build critical mass and create a brand name.” Then, in a bizarre twist, he admitted that his company’s Web site didn’t work all that well and that customers might be disappointed by their early experiences. “But it doesn’t matter,” he said. “The whole game is to stake out your territory.” His strategy hinged on one simplistic idea: be there fast, be there first, and you win."  

When Jim asked to explain what would protect his company from the inevitable assault by huge companies with deep pockets and vast preexisting customer sets, he said: “Inertia! Our competitive advantage is their inertia. By the time they wake up, the game will be over, and we will have won.”

WRONG.

Jim states:  "It doesn’t really matter who gets there first, so long as you figure out a way to produce a better solution, doggedly persist in bringing that solution to the world, and continually improve. And if you happen to have the misfortune of being first, of being the early leader in market share, then keep in mind that someone—right now—is learning from your mistakes."

Read the full article here for context and understanding.

What Happens When You Always Want to Look Perfect?

“I had this crazy idea,” says Kim Kardashian. “My stylist is always like, ‘Don’t wear a bra!’ and I’m just like, ‘I can’t.’ I want to feel comfortable and secure. What if one boob’s over here and I’m dancing, you know?” she said with a laugh. “I just always want to look perfect.”

Thus the creation of the Nipple Bra, which the company released alongside a campy faux-educational climate video starring Kardashian, and a pledge that a one-time donation of 10 percent of sales would go to the charitable network One Percent for the Planet. The then $62 bra went viral and sold out in less than a month.

This is how you come up with an idea and launch.  Mind you we are not Kim Kardashian but we can still come up with great ideas and execute them.  Why just look at all the successful WPO members!

Read the entire article here.