10 Female Entrepreneurs Share Advice for New Entrepreneurs
September 22nd is designated as American Business Women’s Day. It is is a day to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for the to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking and national recognition.
American Business Women’s Day is a great way to gear up for National Business Women’s Week which has officially been celebrated the third full week of October since 1938.
Celebrating women in business is something that we strive to do regularly here at Divas With A Purpose. I have been very open about my entrepreneurial journey – from building my business while working full-time to stepping out on faith last year to pursue my passions full-time.
It has definitely been a journey.
What has made this journey easier is having others to travel it with me. Even though we are on separate journeys our paths often cross and we’re able to keep one another company, lighten each others load and provide traveling directions and advice along the way.
Whether you’re a full-time, part-time or aspiring entrepreneur, having a tribe that gets the unique struggles and pain points of building your business makes a difference.
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My friend and fellow full-time entrepreneur, Joyce Brewer of The Mommy Talk Show said it best: “Find a supportive circle of friends. Even if they don’t do exactly what you do – they can offer you a safe place to vent and be yourself.”
I am excited to share a collection of advice from an amazing group of female entrepreneurs geared towards others who are building their business or struggling with finding their footing along their journey.
Chay Alexander, the owner of Studio C Creative Concepts, has over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience and offers these wise words: “Remain focused on your dreams and goals. There will always be obstacles and challenges in life; however, if believe you in yourself and what it is you’re doing and what you’re doing, no challenge will be insurmountable.”
Shanti Ray, who after 8 years as a part-time entrepreneur made the move to working her business full-time the Summer of 2016, offers this advice: “Know who you are from the inside and out and don’t waver when the obstacles hit because they are only temporary. Also obstacles teach us where we are weak and where we are strong, draw from the strengths in order to pull yourself back into the race.”
Janeane Davis of James, Davis and Associates, is another veteran entrepreneur. With 20 years of experience she offers this advice: If you want to build your business, take action now. There is always a reason to quit, to put things off or not to get started in the first place. Ignore all that, just do what needs to be done and continue pushing forward. The work is hard and not everyone does it, but anyone can do it. Sometimes, things are hard. That is a fact. So what! Push forward and do the work.
“So where should I start?”
This is a question that is often asked in frustration by new entrepreneurs.
Charmaine Gresham, owner of HLG Virtual Document Control LLC, has a simple and concise response to that question: “Have a clear plan, have some capital, and make sure you have a good team.”
Natasha Nicholes, a full-time blogger at Houseful of Nicholes, provides these steps on being productive in your day-to-day life: “Focus on what you want to accomplish for the week, the month, the quarter, the year. Break it down into manageable bites, and it won’t seem like you’re working just for the year end.“
Tamell Green, owner of Metamorphosis PR Firm, helps busy mompreneurs give birth to their dreams and shares this advice: “Write down all the things that you perceive to be a stumbling block. Work around them until they are your stepping stones. Collaborate to find help for those stumbling blocks. INVEST in a PROVEN coach/mentor. They’ve already done the technical work so you don’t have to. Use their knowledge to help you move forward.”
Tonia L. Clark, of Why Not Mom offers this important key advice that centers around work-life balance: “Sometimes the harder something is to obtain the closer you are to achieving it. There were times when my trials seemed the size of the Grand Canyon but in retrospect they were a mere crack in the cement. Don’t give in and don’t give up. Keep striving for your dreams but remember to keep your priorities in check, too. Spend time with your loved ones and make time for them no matter how busy you may be.”
And, how fitting, to end with this directive from Kimberly Simmons, owner of The Dessert Diva and fellow blogger at Random Rantings of a Regular Mom: “Rest, reevaluate but don’t quit. Ever.”
Keep pressing forward. Find a community that will support and uplift you. Set specific and reasonable goals. Plan out your success and embrace the bold and beautiful business woman that you are.