Report of Interest: Ladies First

This is the first special report from SmartMoney.com on eleven successful women business owners, including Bobbi Brown (pictured) who offer advice to women looking to start a business. They highlight their accomplishments, while underscoring some of the obstacles they've faced. Their compelling stories offer all entrepreneurs inspiration and a road map to success.

Worth the read. Advice from some of America's most successful female entrepreneurs.

News: Marsha Firestone Finalist for E&Y Award

Marsha Firestone, Ph.D. (pictured), president of our Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO), was recognized as a national finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2006 awards in the Supporter of Entrepreneurship category. Marsha was among three finalists selected from approximately 300 regional award winners by an independent panel of judges.

She was cited for her work as president and founder of the WPO, which connects top women entrepreneurs at the million and multimillion-dollar level ($2 million in gross annual sales or $1 million for service-based business) for greater personal and professional success.

Read more here.

Survey of Interest: Small Biz Spirits High

Entrepreneurs are increasingly exuberant about the U.S. economy, according to a monthly survey released this morning from credit card outfit Discover, a unit of Morgan Stanley.

According to the survey, called the Discover Small Business Watch, owners' confidence in the economy rose for the fourth straight month (see results below). Because small businesses represent such a large chunk of the economy, their owners' sentiments can signal good or bad things to come.

To take entrepreneurs' collective pulse, Discover -- with the help of Rasmussen Reports -- polled 1,000 randomly selected small businesses, each with no more than five employees. The result is a confidence index, calculated by assigning weights to the answers to the following six consistent questions. In November, the index jumped ten points, to 130.

1. Are economic conditions for your business better or worse?

2. Have you had temporary cash flow problems in the last 90 days?

3. Next few months, will you be hiring more, laying off or no change?

4. How would you rate the economy these days?

5. Generally, are economic conditions getting better or worse?

6. Over the next six months, will your company increase or decrease spending on business development activities?

Find out whether you are keeping the holiday biz blahs at bay here.

A Word From WPO Headquarter Office

What we're thankful for.

And a special thank you to those of you who have so generously supported us on a local level in Chicago. Happy Thanksgiving!

Video of Interest: Funding Your Dream

Find out what venture capitalists have to say about funding a dream -- from how many deals they have done to how long your business plan should be to what mistakes entrepreneurs make when presenting.

It's all here on video.

Article of Interest: The Art of the Barter

A growing number of Web sites are trying to lure small firms and independent contractors to swap goods and services. Does your firm barter? If so, how?

Online Sites Promote The Art of the Barter.

News: Weekly Informational "Marsha Minutes"

Want a minute with our founder, Dr. Marsha Firestone? Well now you've got it! Find out more here.

News: ATHENA Award Luncheon Recipient (11/6)

I had the honor of serving on the 2006 ATHENA Award Selection Committee and attending the luncheon today. What an amazing group of gifted women. Here's the list of nominees:

• Cheryl Burton, Anchor/Reporter, ABC 7 Chciago, WLS-TV
• Julie Murphy Casserly, Owner, President, JMC Wealth Management
• Eileen Durkn, CEO, Neumann Association
• Janet Froetscher, President and CEO, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
• Susan Fullman, Corporate Vice President, Director, Consumer Solutions and Innovation, Motorola
• Kathy Hopinkah Hannan, Area Managing Partner, Tax Services, KPMG, LLP
• Judy McCaskey, Board Chairperson, State Treasurer's Advisory Board for Women's Issues
• Sarah Pang, Senior Vice President, CNA Corporate Communications
• Alice Peterson, President, Syrus Global

And the award winner is ... Kathy Hopinkah Hannan, Area Managing Partner, Tax Services, KPMG, LLP! She is shown second from the right on the stage. Click on the picture to get a closer look.

On behalf of the Women Presidents' Organization, congratulations to all the nominess and in particular to Kathy for her well-deserved honor.

For more information on ATHENA International and how to get involved, click here.

Event Reminder: Chicago Athena Award Luncheon (11/6)

ATHENA Award Recipients are individuals who:

• Demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession.

• Provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.

• Actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential.

Find out who becomes the next award recipient on Monday, November 6 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel. Startup time is 11:30 a.m. For more information visit: Athena International Organization.

The Women Presidents' Organization is a proud partner to ATHENA International. We hope to see you there!