We are celebrating hard working women every day. The fact that women are starting businesses at 1.5x the national average this year – according to the US Census Bureau – and that 1,300 new businesses are being founded by women every day shows how important our enterprising women are. However, throwing your handbag into the entrepreneurial ring can be extremely daunting for anyone. Here are a few quick tips for entrepreneurial women looking to start a business:
1.) Start a Business that Fits Your Personal Life
It’s okay to put your job first. It’s okay to put your family first. It’s okay to put yourself first. Knowing what you want as your priority early on will help you develop a business that fits your needs and desires, and you will feel more satisfied and fulfilled with your progress in the end. We all know that saying “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” – believe it or not, this is more realistic and less cheesy than it sounds once you’re actually living it.
2.) Ask for Help!
No one can launch a business on their own. Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know something or to ask for advice, and don’t be afraid to offer help to other businesses as well. The key to success is to support other’s success. It’s one of the easiest and most genuine forms of networking and will get you far.
3.) You Are Not Your Business
One bad review can overshadow one hundred great ones if that’s the only thing you focus on. You’ve probably put a lot of yourself into your company, but it’s important to remember not to take failure personally. If someone doesn’t like your business, that in no way means they don’t like you. It’s easy to freeze up in the face of criticism, just remember to focus on the positive and what you can reasonably improve on, and move forward from there.
4.) Keep a Healthy Balance
Don’t let your business consume you. Sometimes you need that little bit of separation in order to stay fresh and motivated in all areas of your life. Take a step back, utilize your time off, and come back refreshed and invigorated. If you want more tips on ways to keep a healthy work/social life balance, we have a few more ideas on how to utilize you time.
5.) You DO NOT Need to Have it All
This is such a negative stigma society often places on women in the workplace. In order to be taken seriously and considered successful, you are expected to give 100% to your work, 100% to your family, and 100% to your health… that’s 300%! It’s not practical, it’s not healthy, and it’s not necessary. If you’re ambitious and you do want it all, great! You go girl! But it you don’t, that’s fine, too. Focus on what you know is most important to you.