Invest in Your Single Greatest Asset: Yourself

Every WPO member's story is unique and different but I suspect that each one begins with someone starting a business because they spotted a need or thought they could do something better than anyone else.  Sometimes it turns out big and other times it fizzles out fast. Either way, they keep moving forward and getting stuff done.

What separates successful entrepreneurs from the unsuccessful ones? In this article, it boils down to five things (hint:  one is to invest in yourself!).  See if you agree.  If you don't, feel free to chime in. We're hoping to hear from you!

5 Things Successful Entrepreneurs Do Differently

Are You Likable at Your Business?

In "Seven Habits of Likable People," the author asks this one question as it relates to your chances of getting ahead at work:  Are you well liked?  Now, I ask you the same question as it relates to running your multi-million dollar business:  Are you well liked?  Whether you want to get ahead at work or at growing a successful business, you can improve your reputation by practicing these seven habits of likable people.

Seven Habits of Likable People

Tips on Taking Your Business to the Next Level

Growing your business into a multimillion dollar enterprise is no easy feat.  If it were, every businessman and businesswoman on the planet would be doing it.  So what does it take to get your business to the next level?

Last week (5/8) administration officials, investors and entrepreneurs gathered at The Washington Post to offer advice on fostering a thriving, woman-owned small business.  Here's what they shared.

"Don't fear debt, embrace risk, and more advice for women business owners"

Screenshot courtesy:  The Washington Post, Kate Patterson

50 Fastest WPO Companies Boost Our Economy and Create Jobs

Congratulations to Chicago members Michelle Vondrasek, Catherine Tojaga and Shelly Sun for making the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies - presented by the Women Presidents’ Organization and sponsored by American Express Global Corporate Payments.

For just the second time, nominations were open to global entries. The 50 Fastest generated a combined $4.4 billion in 2014 revenues (mean of $88.3 million) and collectively employed 31,121 in 2014 (mean of 692).

To learn more about the winners, visit:  Trailblazing Women Business Owners & Leaders Recognized for Rapid Company Growth

Screenshot courtesy:  Women Presidents' Organization

WPO 18th Annual Conference 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona

The Women Presidents' Organization annual conference -- April 30 - May 2, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona -- encourages WPO members to share business strategies and experience with other successful women from all over the world, as well as learn from interactive seminars and speakers.

To register and view conference schedule, visit:
https://www.womenpresidentsorg.com/news-events/annual-conference

See you there!

Twitter:  @WomenPresidents
Twitter hashtag:  #WPOConf

Screenshot courtesy:  Arizona Biltmore

Women's Entrepreneurship: Sources of Economic Hope

As of August 2014, about 57 percent of women were counted as labor force participants, and the gap between men and women had narrowed to only 13 percentage points.  But to appreciate that stat, we must back up a bit.

In 1948, the gap in labor force participation between American men and women was 54 percentage points—only one-third of American women were officially counted as in the labor force. Nearly seven decades later, the gap has narrowed considerably as women have entered the labor force en masse, and as men have experienced steady declines. 

According to the Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation’s recent report “Sources of Economic Hope: Women’s Entrepreneurship," women business owners will lead the way to economic growth in the United States.

Read more:  Sources of Economic Hope:  Women's Entrepreneurship

Screenshot:  Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation

Dr. Marsha Firestone Becomes Council Member to the National Women's Business Council

The National Women's Business Council has welcomed Marsha Firestone to its esteemed group of Council Members. She will serve as the representative of the Women Presidents' Organization. Based in New York City, Firestone has an extensive track record and decades of experience supporting women entrepreneurs, business owners and leaders.

Read the news here.

Screenshot courtesy of the National Women's Business Council

Squeaky Clean WPO Chicago Member Alison Gutterman

WPO Chicago member Alison Gutterman is president and CEO of household cleaning company Jelmar LLC.

Jelmar was the only woman-owned business in Illinois to be included among six nationwide chosen by Wal-Mart to be part of the retail giant’s Women’s History Month promotion. Jelmar has 13 employees and about $50 million in yearly revenues.

In an interview with Sandra Guy at the Chicago Sun-Times, Alison talks about how she gets people to interact with her company by using technology, how she formulates safe products and how she keeps the company growing.

Read the interview here.

(We are very proud of Alison and appreciate her mentioning the Women Presidents' Organization in her interview.)

Screenshot courtesy:  Sunday Sitdown at the Chicago Sun-Times

Debugging the Gender Gap

GoDaddy CEO Blake Irving is trying to distance the company from sexist ads.  In order to do so, Irving is acting as an executive producer of “CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap,” a feature-length documentary looking at the reasons why more women and minorities aren’t going into tech.  The film, which is directed and produced by Robin Hauser Reynolds, is slated to premier at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival on April 19.

Will this work?  What would society gain from having more women and minorities code?  Learn more here.

Screenshot courtesy:  Code documentary

Have a Business You Are Passionate About

One of the keys to achieving success with a business is to have a business you are passionate about.  Other drivers for success include but are not limited to:  Know your business (serve as an expert in your field), don't let uninformed people talk you out of launching a creative idea that you have prepared for in earnest, and don't second guess yourself and wait until everything is perfect before you launch -- just do it!

Learn more:  Female entrepreneurs should follow their passions

Photo credit:  Lynn

March is Women's History Month

Celebrating the contributions of women to the business world and beyond.

While you celebrate, take a tour of Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation's great research -- from gender stereotypes of entrepreneurship to why the lack of women leaders is a problem for businesses -- and discover:

New networks and better access to capital can help women entrepreneurs overcome the barriers they have encountered along their entrepreneurial path.

Read:  Women in Entrepreneurship | Kauffman.org

Explore:  Women's History Month 2015

Screenshot courtesy of:  Women's History Month 2015

8 Success Drivers To Thrive in Export Markets

What do you need to succeed in the export game?  As the Nextrade Group, LLC states:  "Empirically, two companies of the same size, sector, and age can have dramatically different odds of success in the global marketplace."

Below you will find the Nextrade Group's summary analysis highlighting three key assets and five critical capabilities that set successful SME exporters apart.  Discover if you fall into any of these categories.

Download:  8 success drivers companies need to thrive in export markets

Screenshot:  Nextrade Group, LLC

American Express Global Payments Becomes Corporate Sponsor for 2015 WPO Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led/Owned Companies

According to the news release (2/25/15):

The Women Presidents' Organization (WPO) has today announced American Express Global Corporate Payments as the exclusive corporate sponsor of WPO's eighth annual Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led/Owned Companies™ ranking. Based on a strong legacy of supporting and advocating for women business owners, American Express will tap into the insight, experience and expertise of the Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led/Owned Companies globally. To create content focused on business expansion, American Express and the WPO will be collaborating on a new guide for growth: The Fast Growth Handbook, which will detail strategies for success of 50 Fastest honorees to help propel women business owners through their growth journey. - Source:  American Express Global Payments To Be Corporate Sponsor for 2015 WPO Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led/Owned Companies

We are honored and excited that American Express Global Corporate Payments has chosen to become an exclusive sponsor on this important initiative.

Screenshot courtesy:  American Express Global Payments

International Women's Day: Let's Celebrate Our Achievements

International Women's Day Theme for 2015!

International Women's Day, March 8th, represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women all around the world while calling for greater equality.

The theme this year is Make It Happen (#MakeItHappen) -- encouraging effective action for advancing and recognizing women.

Go here to learn more and get involved.

Screenshot courtesy:  International Women's Day theme for 2015

Be Clear About What You Have To Do

While running your business, do you ever feel as if some days you accomplish nothing?  You're not alone.  Many business owners struggle to manage their time effectively.  The article below outlines five ways to take back your time - one example being "prioritize like it's the day before a vacation."

5 Ways To Finally Stop Wasting Your Time

Photo Credit: slack12 

How to Conquer Your Biggest Roadblocks

Whether it’s breaking the glass ceiling, building a multimillion dollar business or battling stereotypes, no one’s denying women have come a long way. But we still have a long way to go.  Below eight successful women entrepreneurs share how they take down the roadblocks that get in their way.

8 Women Entrepreneurs Share How They Conquered Their Biggest Roadblocks

Photo Credit: Vaughan

Get Outside Your Comfort Zone: Join WPO

Sharon Birkman Fink, President and CEO of Birkman International, discusses the Women Presidents' Organization.

A Dose of Inspiration on Women Entrepreneurs Who Make a Difference in Our World

St. Louis-based Prosper helps women entrepreneurs start their businesses there.

Hundreds of women from around the world applied for a $50,000 investment from Prosper, but Tuesday [1/20/15], six women-owned businesses were awarded the money to help them expand.

The six women who received the money run companies from tracking your dog to helping kids and adults with seizures.  These awardees are all potential WPO members.

Read:  Investment helps women entrepreneurs prosper

Photo Credit: Destinys Agent

Marsha Firestone Talks About the Art of the Pivot

Women Presidents' Organization Founder and President Dr. Marsha Firestone provides advice on how you can be a successful, multi-million dollar earning entrepreneur. Here are her five tips with one being:

Know when to let go: The “art of the pivot” is important for all entrepreneurs. Knowing when to acknowledge a failed idea is key to staying afloat. Keep in mind that it’s OK to admit failure and move forward. It will make your business stronger in the end.

5 Tips on How to Be a Successful Entrepreneur

Photo Credit: brookealbrechtstudio

Women Business Leaders Share Wisdom

Women business owners who are members of the Las Vegas chapter of Women Presidents’ Organization love to share the reasons why they are members of WPO (refer below).  But first, the President and Founder of WPO says:

“Just because you’re running a business that’s generating at least $1 million, you still need education,” said [Marsha] Firestone, who continues as president of the national group, which has 120 chapters on six continents. “There’s just as much need for business education in a business that has grown to a multimillion-dollar level as there is in a business that’s in the startup phase.”

The Chapter Chair for the Las Vegas chapter, Shelia McKay, says members meet for three hours once a month for 12 months and learn from one another’s experiences in a peer learning environment.

“Each meeting, we present an issue having to do with what’s going on in the member’s individual businesses,” she said. “The agenda for the year is decided by the members to meet their needs at the time and stay current.”

Read more:  Group lets women business leaders share wisdom 

Photo Credit: FOXTROT|ROMEO