The Office of Business Opportunity and LiftFund have joined forces to help Houston area small businesses gain access to needed capital. Small businesses can schedule a one on one appointment with a LiftFund representative at the Office of Business Opportunity Solutions Center (611 Walker Lobby Level, Houston, Texas 77002). Build Wealth with Currency Trading - Hawaii. Started Jan 20 in Honolulu, USA.
“Your business is scaling your business.”
It’s a simple observation, but an important one, shared by Dermalogica CEO and founder Jane Wurwand last week at the inaugural Circular Summit in Houston. She was one of many accomplished female founders who’d converged to talk about what’s needed to grow women-led businesses.
Of course, there’s no one route to growth. However, businesses that do scale tend to have certain traits in common. To find those traits, we polled a sampling of successful female founders at the event, from Wurwand to an 11-year-old lemonade entrepreneur who snagged a sweet offer on Shark Tank and an El Salvadoran-immigrant-turned-millionaire-waste management mogul who “turns trash into treasure.”
Here are 9 lessons on what’s needed to scale from the Circular Summit’s fearless female founders.
1. Their founders make people believe.
Kelli Thomas-Drake, founder and CEO of MyPurpleFolder
“Scaling comes down to showing people your heart. From there, from a genuine place, show them your value proposition, your revenue model, your financial projections and your potential. Show people the unique, problem-solving magic of your business, what it will empower them to do. Once they understand your mission and what it can do for them, others will get on board. Recruit believers in your product or service and partnership that can fuel your growth and it will follow.”
Advice on scaling your business fr @mypurplefolder founder @Kthomasdrake at @CircularB summit. #womenentrepreneurspic.twitter.com/PfAlsKrFYO
— Kim LachanceShandrow (@LaShandrow) April 15, 2016Related: Fearlessness, Courage and Capital: What's Needed to Fuel the Next Stage of Growth for Women Entrepreneurs
Houston Small Business Guideideas And Info For Entrepreneurs Students
2. They start small.
Mikaila Ulmer, founder and CEO of BeeSweet Lemonade
“Grow your business locally first. That’s what we did, selling lemonade at my own stand at first, then in local stores. Then I held workshops teaching families about bees. Whole Foods asked me to do a workshop there and, five or so workshops later, they finally asked to carry my product, and it was pretty cool.
Scaling starts with growing a company that you’re passionate about. If you’re not passionate about it, it’s going to be pretty hard to get other people passionate about it. Also know that you can still be sweet and be profitable, so you can be what’s called a social entrepreneur, an entrepreneur who uses their company to help solve problems in the world in ways that have measurable impact. More people will be interested in buying or carry your product, or using your service, if they are part of helping the world be a better place.”
Had a blast chatting w/11YO entrepreneur @lovebeesweet Mikaila Ulmer at @CircularB today. cc @Entrepreneur#circlepic.twitter.com/XHuQtkBA5K
— Kim LachanceShandrow (@LaShandrow) April 15, 20163. Their founders think big.
Felena Hanson, founder and CEO of Hera Hub
“You have to have the guts to scale. Women tend to be a bit more risk-averse than men. What we need to do is challenge ourselves to go bigger. Embrace a growth mindset. Network aggressively and take part in pitch events so you can get out there in front of investors. Then find mentors who can feed it, people who have been there and done that. Bottom line: Don’t be afraid to go for it and ask for what you need.”
.@HeraHub founder @FelenaHanson's advice on scaling your business @CircularB#womenentrepreneurs cc @Entrepreneurpic.twitter.com/S01i9rz0PX
— Kim LachanceShandrow (@LaShandrow) April 15, 2016Related: 4 Calls to Action for Entrepreneurs to Unite
4. Their founders think one-step ahead.
Melanie Spring, founder and chief inspiration officer of Sisarina
“Hire people before you have the money to do it. Getting an assistant is the first step in scaling because it frees you up to focus on growth, to go out there and get the big fish. Be able to get business done without imposter syndrome and without worrying about it. Show up and say, ‘I can do this,’ and then figure it out, even if you sometimes doubt yourself while you’re doing it. Have confidence, courage and some serious fortitude -- that’s how you scale fast.”
.@MelanieSpring of @Sisarina shares advice for scaling your biz at @CircularB cc @Entrepreneur#womenentrepreneurspic.twitter.com/PPyB79bNFx
— Kim LachanceShandrow (@LaShandrow) April 15, 20165. They’re strategic.
Maria Rios, founder and CEO of Nation Waste, Inc.
“Taking your business to a bigger level requires careful, deeply strategic planning well in advance. One smart first step you can take is to get certifications that hold weight in your industry. Many of my certifications led to being able to bid on and win state and federal projects that bring in millions of dollars for my business. Take it from me -- industry certifications unlock big doors to growth. Go after them.”
As you grow, you’ll also want to resist the temptation to take every opportunity that comes your way. My mentor Warren Buffett reminds me that not every opportunity is a great opportunity, so pick and choose wisely. It has to be the right idea, the right fit, otherwise it could end up slowing your growth, not scaling it.”
.@WarrenBuffett mentee @mriosNWI, 'Queen of Trash,' on how to scale your business @CircularB@Entrepreneur#circlepic.twitter.com/3UKr5FbAmV
— Kim LachanceShandrow (@LaShandrow) April 15, 2016Related: Moms, It's Time to Quit Feeling Guilty
6. Their founders listen carefully.
Ali Brown, founder and CEO of We Lead and host of Glambition Radio podcast
“Make connections. The more connections you have, the more access to the right information, the right advice and the right resources you’ll gather. The lesson there is to listen to your gut when scaling. Surround yourself with people who are very honest with you and get you to think very clearly for yourself and what you want.”
From Entrepreneur | RT LaShandrow: Entrepreneur mentor and #Glambition podcast host AliBrown's advice on scaling y… pic.twitter.com/chiCoxOSpV
— DBA (@DBAway) April 16, 20167. They’re efficient.
Grace Rodriguez, co-founder and culture conductor for Station Houston
“Automate. The more tasks you can automate, the less time you’ll have to focus on day-to-day operations. Delegate the ones you can. Then, build an army. Create a small army of supporters, an A-team of advisors who understand your target market, your vendors, your network. These are the people who will propel your growth. Lastly, amplify your efforts. This means targeting and growing advocates and influencers online, the amplifiers of your message. Empower and welcome people to become a part of your brand and what it empowers them to do.
.@gracerodriguez of @stationhouston on scaling your business cc @CircularB@Entrepreneur#WomenEntrepreneurs#circlepic.twitter.com/I8nVIlcSmD
— Kim LachanceShandrow (@LaShandrow) April 18, 2016Related: 11 Grants for Women-Owned Businesses You Need to Know About
8. They’re scrappy.
Jane Wurwand, founder and CEO of Dermalogica
“Be resourceful. Write compelling content about your business and send it to the press. You can just call up the beauty editor at Harper’s Bazaar. I did and it worked. No one does that anymore, but they should. If you can’t afford a PR agency, and I couldn’t when I started, go for it and reach out to the media yourself. Go old-school direct and tell them that you’ve started a company, and you just want 10 minutes to come and tell them about it. You’d be surprised the opportunities it opens you up to. Another key step is to hire dreamers, people who are hitching a wagon to your dream. We hired anyone we thought was crazy enough to join us and had huge amounts of energy. It was an affordable, manageable growth route that got us where we are today.”
Entrepreneur: RT LaShandrow: .dermalogica founder Dermalogicajane shares advice on scaling your business CircularB… pic.twitter.com/GcctMHQZ1h
— Lauren Hutchison (@Lauren_Hut_SEO) April 15, 2016
Related: The Entrepreneurial Chicken-or-Egg Dilemma
9. They build the right team.
Kimberly Johnston, founder and CEO of Good Works Houston
“To grow, build a team that believes in you, that believes in what you’re doing. Connect and create deep, meaningful relationships with people who are committed, confident and passionate about your vision. In the end, it’s not financial capital that drives scalability, it’s human capital. It’s taking the time to meet people one on one and understanding how this can be a joint, mutually beneficial relationship. If on your growth path you connect with people who aren’t a match for what you’re trying to accomplish, stay focused and move on. Success is just up ahead.”
Kimberly Johnston of @goodworksHOU on scaling your business cc @CircularB@Entrepreneur#WomenEntrepreneurspic.twitter.com/MP4mBaRPCO
— Kim LachanceShandrow (@LaShandrow) April 18, 2016The Best Information for Today's Women in Business in 2021
Today’s business world is composed of an increasing number of women leaders and female entrepreneurs. From startups to large scale establishments, the climate is right for innovating and creating from a woman’s perspective.
Entrepreneurs often face several obstacles when planning, launching, and maintaining their ventures; for women leaders, the list of challenges grows even longer: lack of funding and community support, overcoming negative stereotypes, underrepresentation in corporate leadership roles, finding work-life balance, gaining confidence, and so forth.
Our goal is to address each of these obstacles and provide female entrepreneurs and businesswomen with the essential resources, guides, useful tools, and encouragement to conquer them and achieve overall success in the entrepreneurial and corporate world.
Houston Small Business Guideideas And Info For Entrepreneurs Association
Struggling to find adequate funding for your small business? We’ll offer tips on pitching to investors, share valuable financial resources (e.g., women in business loans, small business grants for women, etc.), and break down the ins and outs of business financing.
Need to expand your professional network? We’ve curated local events, global conferences for women, and accessible businesswomen networking resources.
Finding it difficult to keep up with the latest women in business news? Our women in business stories will keep you updated with the latest trends and inspiring female entrepreneurs.
We'll further discuss the above challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and provide the necessary resources to become a successful leader. Whether you are a businesswoman striving to defy ingrained gender stereotypes in the corporate world or seeking ways to improve your overall well-being and mental health, know that you are not alone, and we’re here to lend a helping hand.
Women in Business Resources
We’ve gathered lists of the best businesswomen resources and tools to provide support and address many of the unknowns that female business owners face. Our hope is to arm you with the necessary information so you can find the courage to charge forward with your corporate leadership and entrepreneurial goals.
Business Formation Resources
Ready to begin? Business formation services and local organizations are just a few of the resources we provide to smoothly and successfully launch your dream company.
Business Planning Resources
Business planning is essential to help you specify your goals and strategies, manage your finances, and track your progress. We offer women access to business plan templates, discounts on business planning software, and information on the resources out there that will lead you through planning an effective business.
Financial Resources
Grants, loans, government contracts, investors, scholarships, advisors, tutorials; there are plenty of financial resources for female entrepreneurs and women leaders, and we’ll help you discover the best ones for you and your business.
Certification Resources
Houston Small Business Guideideas And Info For Entrepreneurs Business
Women-Owned Business Certification can generate more opportunities, including government contracts, access to exclusive events and training programs, increased recognition, and more credibility. We’ll introduce you to various resources (e.g., local workshops, organizations, website, etc.) that will make your certification process simple and successful.
Popular Resources
Today’s technological world offers valuable resources that are easily accessible to women entrepreneurs, including podcasts, online magazines, YouTube channels, and more. We’ll share the best popular resources that will help take your business to the next level.
Women in Business Guides
Starting a business requires a few resources in addition to your great ideas. Luckily, there are many useful tools available for today’s female entrepreneurs such as women in business grants, financial investors, business formation services, women-owned business certification, personal growth strategies, online resources, and community support.
We’ve done the research for you and compiled all the necessary guides and information to help you start a business. Whether you want to start a sole proprietorship, LLC, nonprofit, partnership, or corporation (S-Corp or C-Corp) or file a DBA (Doing Business As), we've got you covered.
Business Formation Guides
We created simple guides that will equip you with the necessary knowledge when forming a business. From choosing a business structure (such as an LLC), business idea, and business name to designing a unique logo, we’ll support you every step of the way.
Business Planning Guides
An effective business plan will set your new venture up for success and growth. We’ll share everything from writing a business plan to finding the perfect mentor when planning a new venture.
Financial Guides
It’s common knowledge that business finance is vital to take into account when starting, maintaining, and expanding a company. We offer guides on startup costs, pitching to investors, small business accounting, loans, and more.
Certification Guides
Women-owned business certification can be a lengthy process, but we have the guides to help you with every step. We’ll cover how to best prepare for certification, share state-specific information, and what you can do to make the most of your certification.
Personal Development Guides
From building confidence to closing the gender leadership gap, our personal development guides will give women leaders an extra boost toward overall success.
Women in Business Events
Being a female entrepreneur comes with its challenges, but you aren’t alone. Women in business events— such as local meetups, global conferences, and support groups — allow you to connect with businesswomen, listen to industry experts, share your own ideas, and discover valuable women in business resources to grow your leadership skills. We provide you with all the necessary networking tools to reduce stress while you work on your startup or already established company.
Featured Articles
How Female Entrepreneur Events Help Women In Business
The creation of events has proven to be a good way for women in business to access resources that otherwise aren’t available to them.
12 Annual Women in Business Conferences to Add to Your Calendar
We share the best conferences for women that are tailored to all types of female entrepreneurs.
Lifestyle for the Businesswoman
Today’s women entrepreneurs wear many hats. They are mothers, wives, breadwinners, support systems, best friends, community and family event organizers, decision makers, strategists, goal achievers, and leaders. All these titles are just a few of the many that apply, all while managing their household.
Let’s celebrate all that women in business have to offer and provide useful information and topics they can rely on to find inspiration and pursue their next step to launch a startup.
Finance
Starting your business requires initial funding. We have researched and gathered a list of potential financing options to get you started such as grants, government loans, investors, and business credit cards, so we can get your company up and running. Since money is an essential part of forming a startup, we've found ways to help you secure funding, so you can become a successful businesswoman.
Productivity
As a female entrepreneur, you probably have a lot on your mind — money, business finances, relationships, and health. Read our women in business articles to learn how you can reclaim focus, increase productivity, and accomplish your professional goals.
Self-Care
From long hours to demanding deadlines, women entrepreneurs often forget to take care of themselves both mentally and physically. We’ll share self-care tips, tricks, and business resources for women that will allow you to rest, recharge, and continue to successfully run your company.
Houston Small Business Guideideas And Info For Entrepreneurship
Tech
In this day and age, technology is a useful tool that may be used by women leaders and female entrepreneurs to learn new skills, upgrade, gather information, and grow their company. We have compiled a list of women in business articles to set you on the right path so you can become a better leader and meet your 2021 business goals.
Innovation
Throughout history, women have been quietly innovating behind the scenes. From discovering the microscopic, core composition of DNA to using their critical math skills at NASA to catapult us into outer space, it is time to shed light on businesswomen's present and future accomplishments.
Interviews
If you’re a woman starting or expanding a business, it’s always worthwhile to learn from other female entrepreneurs’ inspiring stories. Read our interviews with a variety of women in business who share everything from leadership trials to triumphs.
Explore More Startup Resources