BEST Business Advice For Female Entrepreneurs Starting A Business!

1. Don’t Give Up!

Don’t give up! It seems easy enough, but put it into perspective – you never know how close you are to that big goal, that big break and wouldn’t you regret it if you quit right before it all happened? Make sure you’re doing everything you possibly can to keep things going, stay positive and believe that it’s all for the greater good and a major breakthrough.

Thanks to Jenny Ford of Monkey Toes toddler shoes

2. Candace Reese’s Key To A Successful Business!

1. Your Key Elements to Success in business in general?

Inspirational Leadership + Philanthropic Engagement + Gratitude =Success with Purpose

2. Your Key Elements to Success that allowed your business to REALLY take-off?
I realized that becoming a visionary leader and seeking to offer value, as opposed to chasing money and success has yielded the best results to our business model.

3. Your Key Elements to Success in marketing (what has been the strategy that has worked the best)?

Client endorsements are our best marketing strategy. They speak to the true abilities of your business and are a direct result of client satisfaction.

Thanks to Nicole Castoreno of Envision Global

3. Don’t Do It If You Don’t Love It

Love the product or service. Your company will take more time than you could every imagine. Surround yourself with people who will tell the truth even if it runs contrary to your idea. Listen! Be willing to wait for the pay off, there are no “overnight” successes. Provide product that is unique. Marketing has moved from face to face to social media. Think of ways to reach people across the nation or the world. Look at it from every marketable angle. Know your niche and reach out to everyone.

Thanks to Jennifer Davidson of SaveOnBrew, LLC

4. Follow The Money

Learn to read your financial statements, keep your bookkeeping updated, and pay attention to cash flow. Bill customers promptly & follow up on unpaid bills. Pay your vendors.
Marketing: learn to work networking events efficiently, follow up, & get involved in organizations that allow you to build relationships with clients, prospects, suppliers & virtual team members. Build a good website & keep it updated. Study social networking & use it wisely. Blog regularly. Persevere until successful!

Thanks to Lynn Thompson of Thompson Writing & Editing, Inc. & Old Maid Cat Lady

5. Be A “Walking Billboard”

The way you look and dress announces the outcome other people can expect from you. Make yourself a “Walking Billboard” by showing up everywhere and always looking like a high-powered person at the top of her game. Join networking groups, Chambers of Commerce, and they will notice you when you enter a room and want to know who you are.

Next, write articles in local and other publications to showcase your expertise, keeping in mind you need to tell how you can solve problems others have.

Thanks to Sandy Dumont of The Image Architect

6. Trust Your Instincts!

The key to success of any business is to follow your instincts! Launching a company is like having a baby, everyone will try to give you their opinions and advice. At the end of the day, your decisions need to come from within. Remember, its YOUR baby!

The key to our success has been perserverence and adaptability. Don’t be afraid of original concepts, but also don’t ignore feedback when it can only improve your product or service.

PR has been our marketing force – it is an amazing tool!

Thanks to Rachel DeAlto of FlipMe

7. Invest In Yourself And Your Business

You have to truly believe in yourself to confidently spend on polishing your skills. As an immigration attorney, I know that in order to have a successful law firm, I need to invest in my knowledge and skills as an attorney, and also as a business owner. While it is wise to keep your budget as low as possible when you are starting out, it is not wise to skimp on investing in yourself and in your business. Those investments pay off high dividends in the future and save a lot of future headache

Thanks to Dhenu Savla of SwagatUSA

8. Start With The Basics

As an entrepreneur and small business coach I counsel women in all stages of self-employment. But whether I’m speaking to a successful veteran or someone with a twinkle of a entrereprenurial spirit in their eyes, we always start with the basics. Do you have a business plan? If not, let’s start writing one! A business plan is critical for your business, large or small. It serves as your foundation and it’s where you turn when you’re looking to grow. It all comes back to the business plan.

Thanks to Eileen Schlesier of SleeveShirt Consulting LLC

9. My #1 Tip For Women Business Owners

My #1 tip is to get a great accountant and have them set you up on QuickBooks for bookkeeping and taxes right away. You can easily use QB to do your own payroll (Intuit Payroll) and manage your business as it ebbs and flows – which it will – and having a smart, savvy and solid accountant who can grow with you is essential to your success!

Thanks to Adriana Llames of adrianallames career services

10. Queen Of Sales

If you want to be a tremendous success you MUST master the sales process. Not doing so is what destroys too many businesses. They think they don’t have to sell or are afraid of it so they don’t do it, or they do it incorrectly. The damage is huge.

Become the Queen of Sales! Read a book, take a course, hire a coach; do whatever it takes to master the sales process. It doesn’t have to be hard or scary. It DOES have to be mastered to be successful.

Thanks to Diane Helbig of Seize This Day Coaching

11. Starting A Start-Up

My advice to start-ups…
1. Choose your team wisely. A good team should be made up of individuals with a variety of skills.
2. A start-up is a marathon, not a sprint.
3. Be open to feedback about your company.
4. Before you spend time and energy raising money for your start-up, consider getting commitments from potential customers.
5. It takes a village to raise a start-up. A start-up company takes many to help move it forward. Network and identify people who can help you in your process.

Thanks to Susan Bardack of Buzz Media Solutions/iZoca.com

12. Don’t Micromanage & Learn From Your Mistakes

I founded culinary team building company, Parties That Cook, in 1999 and my top tip is to give employees as much autonomy and responsibility as they can handle. Consider instilling a corporate value of “Be CEO, Own Outcomes” and employees will be more invested and more motivated. Reward top talent with equity compensation. Also, keep in mind, the only real mistakes are the ones we don’t learn from and when you fail, you practice success.

Thanks to Bibby Gignilliat of Parties That Cook

13. If I Knew Then What I Know Now, I Would Have Been A Millionaire Before I Turned 30!

If I had to sum up the keys that effectively make a business successful I would boil it down to these 5 tips:

1. Take time to identify WHY you do what you do. This will keep you going forward when everything in you wants to give up.
2. Create an “Ideal” Customer and make sure you “address” them in your marketing
3. Identify the problems your ideal customer will face and position yourself as the “go-to” person for the solution
4. START AND CONSTANTLY GROW YOUR E-MAIL LIST
5. Leverage your time

Thanks to Nana Campana of Paper Tree House Studio

14. BELIEVE IN YOUR PURPOSE & PASSION

Believing in your purpose & product is the greatest advice I could give a new business. There will always be people who say it can’t be done but if you have the belief in your heart that this is where you should be in life, then perseverance & determination will be your best friends. Learn every aspect of your business so you are never held hostage by anyone should they leave. Bare bones it as long as you can. Take time to recharge yourself & make time for family & friends. Find free publicity.

Thanks to Linda Van Kessler of Passion 4 Life Liquid Vitamins & Minerals

15. “Cool” Will Not Drive Results Online

As a startup online business, there are key things you should know before you start building. If you want to optimize traffic to your site, fancy fonts get you nowhere fast. Start with a list of Google fonts and make sure your illustrator stays within them on the site design. Identify your keywords early. If you don’t, you will find yourself rewriting everything. Use Google’s keyword tool to find words that are “low” in competition and high in traffic: http://bit.ly/9FqW8F. Good luck!

Thanks to Danielle Black of A Life & Style Fashion Forum

16. Ditch Website Myth Of Spending Thousands

As a business owner, not having a professional website is no longer an option! Ditch the website myth that you have to spend thousands (or become a computer programmer) to have a website that attracts clients, showcases your products and/or services and makes sales!

WordPress is the best choice for your small business website. It’s the easiest and most effective way to creating and then maintaining/updating your own professional website.

Thanks to Emily Kristofferson of Emily Kristofferson | Marketing & Media

17. Top Tools For Entrepreneurial Success

Having worked for many successful organizations including IBM, U.S. House of Representatives, Bristol-Myers Squibb & Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, I decided to work for myself.

In 2003, I created Clearly Communicating specializing in clear communication. I distinguish between effective & ineffective communication and make the complex message clear. My top tools for entrepreneurial success are: provide the highest quality of professional service & always work harder than anyone else!

Thanks to Jane Richardson of Clearly Communicating

18. Passion, Plan & Profit. 3 Keys To Success

Passion gives you the drive to take your ideas and make them a reality. I truly believe that every idea is profitable. I started my business with $500, little assistance and no real examples of entrepreneurship. But with my passion for helping women and building businesses coupled with a great plan of action I have been able to create a profitable business. There were times that I wanted to give up but I stayed the course and I am glad that I never looked back.

Thanks to Vanessa Parker of PinkBoss, Inc

19. Lights, Camera, Action! Elements To Succeed!

In my business at Corp Shorts, setting up a shoot from start to finish is a great metaphor for starting a business. You have to gather all the elements to make it a top quality end product.
You need a great script (a good business plan), a talented crew, and an excellent editor (a CEO who pulls it all together).
Choose a business you are passionate about, never give up no matter how hard it gets (it is easier to continue than start over), and surround yourself with gifted, positive people!

Thanks to Catherine Gray of Corp Shorts Video Productions and Online Marketing

20. MY KEY ACTIVITIES FOR SUCCESS!

Choosing to continue to do what I love in the business so I stay inspired to sustain my efforts and outsourcing everything else.

Journaling my thoughts regularly for clarification and insight as to each step of the business so I stay in tune with my inner guidance and knowing in what direction to go next.

KEY QUESTION TO ASK TO STAY MOTIVATED “Where would I be right now, if I had started this endeavor and taken daily action on it for the LAST YEAR?”

http://www.effective-positive-thinking.com

Thanks to Suzanne Glover of Effective Positive Thinking

21. You Have Enemies? Good. That Means You’ve Stood Up For Something, Sometime In Your Life

The reason for me choosing that famous quote from Winston Churchill for the heading is because it is so true in life, especially when starting your own business. People say it’s scary, others say exciting, I think the best combination and this is when you are on the right track is when your business feels scary and exciting.

Here are a few pointers to success from me to you – embrace change, stand up for what you believe in, find the positive in each negative, respect your instincts and be open

Thanks to Jess Suter of The Change PR

22. Know Thyself

Key elements
1. In general: Love whatever it is you plan to do. Passion and conviction will carry you through the tough times. And develop a good support system.

2. Allowed my business to take off: Commiting emotionally, physically, financially and mentally to my success.

3.Marketing: Know & work your niche market. Those professionals who know who they are, what work they do best & who they best connect with & serve receive more referrals than those who don’t know these things.

Thanks to Amy Jo Lauber, CFP of Lauber Financial Planning

23. No Woman Is An Island

As entrepreneurs, we need to surround ourselves with knowledgeable people, such as the Small Business Development Center to help us develop a business plan and avoid common business mistakes. The biggest key-FOLLOW THROUGH with their advice. Create, practice and deliver a consistent “30 second elevator speech.” You are your best marketing tool. What you do/don’t do today in your business will affect your business 10 years from now. Know your strengths, build on them- delegate the rest. Believe.

Thanks to Jeannie M Bush of Amenity Electrolysis, LLC

24. Pursue The Work You Love

If anyone would have asked me 10 years ago whether becoming an entrepreneur was part of my plan, my answer would have been No. Then life happenned and pushed me to re-invent my career. In my late 30s, I launched my consulting company providing personal and professional development coaching services. I now assist others with career transformation as well entrepreneurship. My advice – Build A Business Around Your Passions, it will make the journey worthwhile, also Plan Well, don’t rush in

Thanks to Ruchira Agrawal of InnerVeda Communications

25. Don’t Trust Your Web Designer

You’re an expert in your field, but not in web design or web hosting. Therefore, you have to rely on the “experts” for advice. The problem is just like when I take my car to a mechanic. As a middle-aged woman, I don’t know anything about cars, and these mechanics see me coming! They sell me stuff I don’t need, they overcharge me for stuff I do need, and I have to take THEIR WORD for the quality and value of their work. It’s the same with geeks. No licensing, no regulation, so buyer beware!

Thanks to Marianne Carlson of Emcie Media

26. Competitors Can Be Great Supporters Of You And Your Business

There is a common misconception among entrepreneurs (new and seasoned) that there is nothing to be gained from others in your field. They see only COMPETITION while I see SUPPORT and COLLABORATION. Everyone can benefit from finding someone in their field with whom they can talk in confidence about their industry. To have this kind of confidant who truly knows your field can lift the weight of the world from your shoulders in those moments when Mom or your best friend simply cannot relate.

Thanks to Liz Theresa of Liz Theresa, Internet Marketing Strategist

27. Be Helpful!

Always be in a position to help. Help people in your network connect with others. Make useful introductions, suggest relevant events and articles that can help people grow their business. As you begin helping others, people will begin to help you. Remember its a two way street: if you ask for help, you should also offer help. Offer a specific way that you can add value to their business. And dont forget to pay it forward because a little help can go a long way!

Thanks to Lily Himmelsbach of Lets Gift It

28. Ignore The Nay-sayers; There Will Be Plenty Of Them.

Tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us so the time is now to live out your dreams and follow your passion. With this philosophy in mind, one can dig deep and find the grit and determination to succeed in anything. The biggest key for my success is to believe in myself and my goals and not get dejected when others look at me with disapproving eyes. My motto is to never count the no’s, because there are plenty. Be organized and clear on what you are trying to create and then make it happen.

Thanks to Jennifer Kelman of Mrs. Pinkelmeyer, LLC

29. Small ASKS —Big Success!

If I knew then what I know now…. These tips helped transform my business…and results!

1) Learn to do the ASK! Most entrepreneurs (and often in my experience, women) are uncomfortable asking for help, advice, feedback, sharing influence, partnership or collaborations, etc.
2) Begin the business with the end in mind. when entrepreneurs start their business this way, they actually run the business differently. they explore how and when they will end or sell the business, create ways of doing business that aren’t 100% relying on the owner, and develop a SUCCESSion plan.
3) Systematize everything. When entrepreneurs systematize everything, they save money, reduce duplicated efforts, ensure their business can run in their absence, and they create a business to sell.
4) Collaborate and joint venture.
5) Have a plan. Many entrepreneurs begin a business because they are passionate….and the business runs according to their passions and energy, without a plan. Having a business plan, marketing plan, financial goals, and growth plan is essential.
6) Bonus tip: Remember your business is exactly that…a business… not an expensive past time activity.

Thanks to Charmaine Hammond of Hammond International Inc.

30. It Really Does Take A Villiage!

Build your village early. Create the buzz, talk to people in your field, and do lots of networking well in advance of your launch. If you already have a group of people that know you and your story, when the time comes to sell your product or open your business, these are the people that will have known you “way back when” and will be more than willing to help you succeed. It truly takes a village, and early on in this process I started recruiting mine.

Thanks to Leslie Haywood of Grill Charms by Charmed Life Products LLC

31. No BS Success Principles For Start Ups

1. Do what YOU are passionate about, not what your mom or spouse thinks you should do!
2. Have a plan! Ex. Financial, marketing, personal family plan.
3. Do your research! What are your successful competitors doing? MODEL their business model!
4. Write out your vision and ATTACH yourself to it. Do not attach yourself to the challenges that will arise or you are doomed!
5. Learn & implement the entrepreneurial mindset. Being a biz owner takes a whole new mindset than being an employee!

Thanks to Vidette Vanderweide of Vidette V

32. Key To Success By Nellie Akalp, CEO CorpNet.com

1.The key to success in general is giving each client personal service. The out of this world, one-to-one service will make clients feel special in every way possible and come back to your company.
2. Raising our prices was key in helping us take off. We raised our prices and got even more volume because we differentiated ourselves based on the quality and speed of our service.
3. Key to marketing success has been social media. Engaging w the outside world through social media and blogging.

Thanks to Nellie Akalp of CorpNet.com

33. Money Matters

Save money before you launch or as much as you can once you’ve launched; have as much capital together as possible

Don’t be too proud to ask for information/help/guidance; the key to getting ahead is always being open to learning new approaches

Get on top of your day-to-day/monthly/yearly financials as soon as possible; that means hire a bookkeeper
-I hired one about 18 months into my business life and wish I had done so earlier
-It is indeed money well spent

Thanks to Roshini Rajkumar of Roshini Group

34. Listen To Your Best Friends

My girlfriends were the ones who told me I needed to start my personal styling business. And when I did, they shouted it from the rooftops & booked my first clients with their enthusiasm. Listen to what people ask your advice about & encourage you in. When you take that to the next level they’ll be passionately behind you. And the community you already have on social media is waiting to hear your new ideas & offerings to the world. So Facebook & Twitter are your new second-best friends.

Thanks to Hilary Rushford of Dean Street Society

35. Delegate, Motivate, Monitor

Delegating tasks can be challenging, particularly when it comes to women as we are accustomed being all things to all people. 3six5dates started delivering solid results when I made time to work ‘on’ the business as opposed to ‘in’ it – delegating the majority of my day-to-day to a team of virtual volunteers. I focus on giving them work that they find interesting, which naturally motivates them. The rest of time, I monitor their output to ensure they get feedback and on going development.

Thanks to Shelli Trung of 3six5dates

36. Fear-LESS & Where To INVEST!

Ask questions and don’t stop until you get the answers you seek. Don’t be afraid to decline or say no if it doesn’t sound, feel or look right.
Always ask yourself, why am I doing this, what is the return, how will I measure the success?
Don’t cut corners when it comes to legal or financial help! You NEED solid ground here as the foundation of your business.
Stay focused. Make sure everything you do has a measurable ROI! ROI measured in $$$, expanding circle of influence, qualified leads.

Thanks to Anastasia Valentine of Sandbox PM An Idea to Launch Company

37. Note To Self

Keep a journal. Write down ideas, tips, and techniques that you see in other businesses that are successful. Before opening my day spa, I visited many different types of businesses, including other spas, and service type operations. I noticed how the staff interacted with customers; how the business looked; how the marketing materials were presented; what was different and special about each one. I then picked my top 10 to do ASAP in my business ~ which resulted in immediate success!

Thanks to Susie Galvez of Susie Galvez

38. The Women Around You Are A Great Resource

Our company grew initially by sewing the bags ourselves and enlisting the help of the generous women around us. One friend designed our website, another our logo, and another helped us with PR. These were women we met in the halls of our children’s elementary school! Remember that before we were mom’s we were professionals and career oriented, and by tapping into our friends amazing skills it helped launch our successful business while at the same time surrounding ourselves with inspiration.

Thanks to Becky Harper of ReUsies

39. Roll Up Those Sleeves

The best advice I can share with fellow female entrepreneurs is to not be afraid to roll your sleeves up and work hard. While we all “know” that it will take hard work to be successful, it is actually really easy to forget when the going gets rough — and it will get rough. Deadlines, pressures and stress will seem to sneak up on you out of the blue, but keep your eyes focused on the end results and the hard work involved in the journey will not only pay off— it will be more than worth it.

Thanks to JP Jones of Collipsis Web Solutions

40. Never Let Fear Be A Factor

When you are first starting your business your excitement will carry you a long way. At some point in the process fear and doubt begin to creep in. “This is a dumb idea”, “Who do I think I am”, “I can’t afford to do this”, “I am afraid I am going to fail”…blah….blah….blah. I think this fear and doubt is what stops many great woman inventors from actually launching. Do Not Let Fear Stop You!! Press forward and recapture the excitement when the idea was birthed in you and continue on!

Thanks to Kelly Marie of The Perfect Card Box

41. Business Warrior Wisdom

1/
Be Yourself. The most crucial factor in any successful business is not to hide behind a business name or brand. The brand should be you and all you stand for, keep your marketing personal, let people know you and they will trust you and your products.
2/Live from Your Passion. People go into a type of business they see as ‘lucrative’ yet have no interest or passion for that industry then wonder why they cannot make a success of it.
3/Embraced Social Media. The shift has begun in business!

Thanks to Edel O’Mahony of Path of the Peaceful Warrior

42. Best Tip For Success

I consider the key element of success to be a very through well researched, self-composed business plan. The business plan created was a roadmap for the business, allowing for a better understanding of the industry. Also it gave a since of direction as well goals to one day obtain. There are great resources to assist in the writing process, all which is free and so worth the effort. Plus it will put you ahead of many of your competitors.

Thanks to Sherrie Tennessee of Sherrie Tennessee Consulting

43. The Top 3 Elements

The three key elements you need to focus on as a start up are marketing, marketing and more marketing. The average start up entrepreneur that I work with tends to negate the importance of consistent and effective marketing for their target audience. Marketing, even on a tight budget, is a key component to separate your business in today’s market. Particularly women entrepreneurs, do not forget to join a few associations that can further your territory. Invest in quality marketing

Thanks to Carol Sankar of Carol Sankar Enterprises

44. Be Yourself At All Times

My key elements to success are being genuine and simple. Incorporating my personality traits into my business has shown my clients that I truly do care about them. My casual approach to business has created a niche for me. My clients know that they are dealing with a professional, but feel like they are talking to a friend. My most successful marketing strategy is using social media. Small businesses are part of communities, and should be willing to engage customers in every medium.

Thanks to Jeneen Perkins of Éclat Enterprises, LLC

45. Taking A Risk On Yourself Is Key To Success

To create a successful business that makes money, allows you to have a balanced life, and serves others you must be seriously determined, be willing to fail, and don’t care what anyone else thinks. I mean anyone; kids, spouse, family included. There was one key thing that made my business take-off and that was getting help when I needed it. Recognizing when I was stuck and hiring someone to help me get unstuck. You must take a risk on yourself – if you won’t who else will?

Thanks to Kelly Robbins of The Copywriting Institute

46. Business Messages & The Marketplace

Business messages have to stand out from the masses, be clear and frequent enough for people to remember. Messages and tone should be similar across the board (online, print, biz cards). The business and its offerings must be attractive enough to get people to come and buy. Before that will happen, however, you must reach the right people, the targets. A consistent, concise and adequate marketing campaign to a niche market will create awareness of your company and attract your ideal clients.

Thanks to Sone` Tramble of Celebrity Chitt