Secrets to Success

They don’t give you a master’s degree in how to become a successful entrepreneur in a high priced business school! Why? Because, while you learn how to run and manage a business, you’re often left to fend for yourself with a bunch of theory that may not work for you, especially in today’s marketplace.

What they lack, and what you need, are practical, real time, step-by-step strategies to be successful in an ever changing marketplace — and not just marketing theory. You see, I know that intimately. Because for years, I searched high and low for practical success strategies. Particularly for today’s success-minded woman, and there simply wasn’t anything out there. Nothing.

For example, even if you spent a fortune to get a degree from a prestigious business school you wouldn’t learn these 12 must-have pieces of the puzzle you will learn in just 3 days at Women’s Business Empowerment Summit:

1. How to adopt a wealth attitude by moving forward through your fears of getting started.

2. How to have a clear vision of what you want to create and a road map to get you there.

3. How to identify and exploit your own unique abilities to get more done in less time.

4. How to create a product or service to sell that will have people begging to do business with you.

5. How to develop powerful sales and marketing skills to convert prospects into paying clients.

6. How to utilize the unique advantages women possess in marketing your product or service.

7. How to implement the secrets of Internet gurus to make your website your most valuable business asset.

8. How to quickly grow your subscribers list from scratch to tens of thousands for free.

9. How to get the media to help you make more money without spending a dime on advertising.

10. How to position yourself as an industry expert and increase your client base.

11. How to implement the wealth principles multi-millionaires use to build and protect great wealth.

12. How to utilize lessons of successful, powerful women who have experienced firsthand the unique challenges and advantages you have as a woman in business.

That’s why I founded the Women’s Business Empowerment Summit. I wanted all of the information that women need to be successful entrepreneurs to be in one place and easily accessible. I believe if you had all the steps at one time, in a system you could easily follow, you could reach your goals much faster, whether you’re totally green or a seasoned entrepreneur who wants to achieve higher levels of success.

Women continue to open businesses in the U.S. at twice the rate of men. So why don’t they have million dollar bank accounts that reflect their hard work? According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, there are 10.4 million women-owned U.S. businesses. What people aren’t talking about is that women-owned businesses aren’t doing all that well. According to the Women Presidents’ Organization (comprised of women whose businesses annually gross over $2 million):

* About 43% of all women-owned businesses have revenue of $10,000 or less per year.

* Over 70% have revenue of less than $50,000.

* Only 3% have revenue of over $1 million (compared with 6% of men-owned firms).

Today’s entrepreneurial woman wants control over whom she works for, what she does, how she spends her time, and how much money she makes. Most of all, she wants to know that what she is doing is making a difference in the world. So why aren’t women-owned businesses more successful? Often the barriers to business success for women are self-imposed.

What Women Do Wrong

1. They dismiss their intuition. They dismiss their inner knowing. They don’t take their intuition seriously. That’s not hard to do when today’s business culture scoffs at women’s intuition, makes fun of their intuitive knowing, and pooh-poohs intuitive insight. Intuition is not a hunch, a suspicion, or a guess. Intuitive knowing is deep, sure, and trustworthy. Know this!

2. They wait for approval and permission. Women have the hardest time with this. Instead of making a decision for themselves, they look to others for approval and permission before making business decisions. Wake up! You do not need anyone’s permission to do anything. Men know this much better than women do.

3. They think something is wrong with them. When something goes wrong in their businesses, men focus on the business itself, looking for things they can change, correct, and fix. For women, however, it’s just the opposite. When something goes wrong in their businesses, women look for things they can change about themselves. 4. They think other people know best. Often their inner voicewhat I like to call a woman’s Inner Samuraiis giving them a clear indication of what is for their highest good and greatest well-being. Yet, because that inner voice conflicts with the advice and information they are getting from the outer world (often from those around them), they discount their inner voice in favor of another’s voice.

What You Can Do Right

1. Look outward for support. Look inward for guidance. Surround yourself with those who support your business vision and daily business activities. Go inward for guidance. Tap into your Inner Samurai. Understand that no one knows you as well as you know yourself. What other people think is best for you and your business is only an opinionperhaps a well-informed opinion, but an opinion, nonetheless.

2. Say yes. This is one of the hardest words for women to say. Women like to keep their options open, check everything out, and test the waters before taking action. Stop hesitating. Say yes. Move ahead. You don’t have to know how something is going to turn out before saying yes. Just say yes. You can handle whatever comes up. You can even change your mind.

3. Stop with all the positive thoughts and affirmations. Being positive and saying affirmations are not enough. You have to back those positive thoughts with focused, definitive action in the direction of what you most want to be, do, and have in your business. Fortune favors the bold.

4. Cultivate relationships. Women are naturals at building relationships and connecting to others. Connect, certainly, with other businessmen. However, be intentional about cultivating relationships with other businesswomen. Forget what they say about women being catty. Sure, some are. Most aren’t. Those are the ones you will intuitively be drawn to. Connect with them to build strong, mutually beneficial business relationships.

Women have been opening businesses at twice the rate of men for many years now. However, they have not been as successful at bringing in the big bucks as men. That’s because they try to run their businesses the same way that their male counterparts do from the head down.

Women, on the other-hand, do better when they build and run their businesses from the inside out and from the heart up, firmly connected to their Inner Samurai. Running your business this way means that you are in control of your financial future, you can have the life you’ve always dreamed of, and you can be in the best place of allmaking a real difference in the world.

1. Increased Flexibility

Women franchise owners report that the ability to be their own boss and be in charge of their own working routine, makes franchising an ideal option for them. Business women can ditch the inflexibility of corporate life for the freedom of business ownership, and women from other walks of life see franchising as the perfect route into the business world.

2. Support readily available

Women are by nature supportive and work well in atmospheres where support is readily given and received. Franchisors give all the practical support needed to start a business, and continue to do so throughout the franchise contract. Many excellent franchises also encourage active networking and support between franchisees and give all the training that is required to build and grow your business.

3. A fresh start

Re-entering the working world after a break looking after children, can seem like a daunting prospect. Some women feel out-of-date professionally, or have lost their previous business network of clients and colleagues. Starting a franchise can provide the opportunity to do something fun and totally different.

Franchisors are often looking for women-returners as they are confident they can help potential franchisees apply their skills in a new context, they do not have to have a background in the industry concerned.

4. Lower risk

“A third of the female population would start a business if it wasn’t for the fear of failure.” Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2003.

Franchises are tried and tested formulas, franchisees are buying into a business that they already know works. Many women hold the family purse-strings, and juggle a string of family obligations and can feel risk adverse. Franchising is a reassuring, low risk option for starting a business.

5. Franchises for all interests

Franchises can be found in a huge variety of industries and interest areas. Women have found franchises which match their hobbies (eg dance and drama), their educational background (eg tutoring), or their personality style (eg business and social networking). Some franchises are also particularly designed with women in mind, and sell goods and services for a female audience (eg jewellery and clothes), and some franchises are perfectly suited to women with experience in child care and children’s activities.

6. No need to reinvent the wheel

Women are, by nature, efficient and pragmatic, and which makes franchising appealing as there is no need to reinvent the wheel. The business has already been created, and the formula is proven. Women can launch their businesses and start earning income within a matter of weeks.

7. Earn a full-time salary in part-time hours

This has got to be every woman’s dream! With franchising it is really possible. Many franchises can provide an excellent income for those that only want to work a few days a week, or only during school hours, or in the evenings. Women find their working life becomes more fulfilling and lucrative through franchising.

7 Key Reasons Why Women Franchise is part of a series of top tips from business women Penny Denby and Jackie Groundsell. Penny and Jackie are mentors for women entrepreneurs and also franchise their own business, UK’s leading business women’s network www.1230.co.uk

If you are interested franchising as an opportunity, Jackie and Penny are Ambassadors for “Encouraging Women into Franchising”, and would be delighted to hear from you on franchising@1230.co.uk

Women continue to open businesses in the U.S. at twice the rate of men. So why don’t they have million dollar bank accounts that reflect their hard work?

According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, there are 10.4 million women-owned U.S. businesses. What people aren’t talking about is that women-owned businesses aren’t doing all that well. According to the Women Presidents’ Organization (comprised of women whose businesses annually gross over $2 million):

• About 43% of all women-owned businesses have revenue of $10,000 or less per year.

• Over 70% have revenue of less than $50,000.

• Only 3% have revenue of over $1 million (compared with 6% of men-owned firms).

Today’s entrepreneurial woman wants control over whom she works for, what she does, how she spends her time, and how much money she makes. Most of all, she wants to know that what she is doing is making a difference in the world. So why aren’t women-owned businesses more successful? Often the barriers to business success for women are self-imposed.

What Women Do Wrong

1. They dismiss their intuition. They dismiss their inner knowing. They don’t take their intuition seriously. That’s not hard to do when today’s business culture scoffs at women’s intuition, makes fun of their intuitive knowing, and pooh-poohs intuitive insight. Intuition is not a hunch, a suspicion, or a guess. Intuitive knowing is deep, sure, and trustworthy. Know this!

2. They wait for approval and permission. Women have the hardest time with this. Instead of making a decision for themselves, they look to others for approval and permission before making business decisions. Wake up! You do not need anyone’s permission to do anything. Men know this much better than women do.

3. They think something is wrong with them. When something goes wrong in their businesses, men focus on the business itself, looking for things they can change, correct, and fix. For women, however, it’s just the opposite. When something goes wrong in their businesses, women look for things they can change about themselves.

4. They think other people know best. Often their inner voice—what I like to call a woman’s Inner Samurai—is giving them a clear indication of what is for their highest good and greatest well-being. Yet, because that inner voice conflicts with the advice and information they are getting from the outer world (often from those around them), they discount their inner voice in favor of another’s voice.

What You Can Do Right

1. Look outward for support. Look inward for guidance. Surround yourself with those who support your business vision and daily business activities. Go inward for guidance. Tap into your Inner Samurai. Understand that no one knows you as well as you know yourself. What other people think is best for you and your business is only an opinion—perhaps a well-informed opinion, but an opinion, nonetheless.

2. Say yes. This is one of the hardest words for women to say. Women like to keep their options open, check everything out, and test the waters before taking action. Stop hesitating. Say yes. Move ahead. You don’t have to know how something is going to turn out before saying yes. Just say yes. You can handle whatever comes up. You can even change your mind.

3. Stop with all the positive thoughts and affirmations. Being positive and saying affirmations are not enough. You have to back those positive thoughts with focused, definitive action in the direction of what you most want to be, do, and have in your business. Fortune favors the bold.

4. Cultivate relationships. Women are naturals at building relationships and connecting to others. Connect, certainly, with other businessmen. However, be intentional about cultivating relationships with other businesswomen. Forget what they say about women being catty. Sure, some are. Most aren’t. Those are the ones you will intuitively be drawn to. Connect with them to build strong, mutually beneficial business relationships.

Women have been opening businesses at twice the rate of men for many years now. However, they have not been as successful at bringing in the big bucks as men. That’s because they try to run their businesses the same way that their male counterparts do—from the head down.

Women, on the other-hand, do better when they build and run their businesses from the inside out and from the heart up, firmly connected to their Inner Samurai. Running your business this way means that you are in control of your financial future, you can have the life you’ve always dreamed of, and you can be in the best place of all—making a real difference in the world.

Every one of us women wants to enjoy happiness and the freedom to be ourselves, but what if there is even more to it all than you first realized? What if your desires point towards an individual purpose that is meant to meet your financial needs at the same time?

There really are tangible ways to make money from your desires because real talents are attached to your desires. This is as true for you as it is for any other woman. Wouldn’t you love to be able to do what you love to do AND still get paid for it? It’s kind of like the old saying of getting paid to play.

The secret is in discovering how to go about creating this amazing future without sabotaging yourself in the process. Us women are just a little too good at holding ourselves back!

* Opening To Possibility *

Take a moment and open up to the possibility that you could actually get paid for doing something you absolutely love to do. After all, your desire acts as a key to your destiny. It is absolutely possible to make money in the area of your passion.

I ask you to be bold and refuse to listen to any negative comments that would contradict you. When you fully open up to possibility, you are able to begin seeing options that were simply hidden by your resistance.

* Giving Yourself Permission *

The truth is that your desires are in your heart for a purpose. You were meant to use them to impact people in a positive way. It’s time to give yourself permission to use your desires and the gifts attached to them. You are worth the opportunity to express these desires, and others are equally worth receiving this greatness you have to offer.

* Trusting You Have What It Takes *

Many women get tripped up by the need to be perfect first. The irony is that the “perfect gift” already resides in you! It simply needs an open avenue of expression. You automatically grow as you express your greatest desires. I invite you to take a leap of faith and choose to trust you already have what it takes to move forward, NOW!

* Exploring Your Passion *

Now that you’ve opened to possibility, I invite you to really explore what you are most passionate about. What would you REALLY love to do if anything were possible and money were no object at all?

You probably have more than one gift, so focus on the one that means the most. Don’t be surprised if it happens to be the desire or gift that you previously felt was the least possible to accomplish. Keep reminding yourself to be open to all your options so that you don’t block the ideas from coming.

* Committing To Your Passion *

Countless women say, “I don’t know what my passion or purpose is!” That’s often because they don’t allow themselves to dream. They’ve already decided they cannot do it. The choice to live with passion or to give up on your dreams is strictly up to you. However, if it is in your heart, there must be a way to do it!

I invite you to allow yourself to dream about the many ways you could turn your passions into income. You’ll find the most effective way to do this is to “commit” to expressing your desires and then choosing to trust that the best way to express them will come to mind. Don’t worry about “how” you will get there until you know what you want to do!

* Exploring Your Possibilities *

As you explore what you really want to do to create income, start thinking of the positive effects. Consider how you would feel and what your life would look like if you were earning income from your desires. Allow yourself to get excited as you think of the positive effects on your relationships, your children and even your self esteem.

If you still feel unclear about what you could do, begin exploring what other people do to express their desires as a means of income. Investigate the types of businesses that offer the types of service that align with your passion. Set the intention to find a way to do what you really love to do. With the computer and telephone, the world is at your fingertips.

When you open up and explore your options, you give yourself permission to find the answer. Allow yourself to discover all your avenues without shooting the ideas down. After all, an idea that doesn’t appeal to you might just trigger an idea that will.

* Taking Your Next Step *

Once you have a clearer picture on what you’d love to do, I invite you to consider your next step. Ask yourself what needs to happen to take one small step towards your goal.

This step might even be igniting your passion in an area before you recognize how to earn income from it. If you love the arts, begin to pursue the arts. If you love working with children, do fun things with children. Immerse yourself in your passion and then ask yourself how you can turn it into income. You may be surprised at what comes to you.

It is so exciting when you fully recognize you can take your desires a step further into earning income. Can you imagine how much happier you would be if you earned your money based on desire? Consider taking that next step and living out the life of your dreams. It really is possible!

Copyright 2007 Tami M. Szabo

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