{"id":7918,"date":"2019-12-15T08:03:38","date_gmt":"2019-12-15T12:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=7918"},"modified":"2019-12-15T08:03:48","modified_gmt":"2019-12-15T12:03:48","slug":"advice-on-starting-your-own-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=7918","title":{"rendered":"Advice on Starting Your Own Business"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>These women are shaking up their industries around the world by making bets on their vision and on themselves. They have started their own businesses to solve problems, to follow dreams and passions. While they have doggedly kept their businesses moving forward, they have reached back to counsel and invest in other women.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\">One big factor in a rise in female entrepreneurship is the increasing number of role models and leaders, said&nbsp;Joanne Hession, founder of&nbsp;<a class=\"css-1g7m0tk\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneursacademy.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Entrepreneurs Academy<\/a>. They are \u201cimportant, observable examples of what can be accomplished by women,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">This article is part of the <\/em><a class=\"css-1g7m0tk\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/spotlight\/women-and-leadership\"><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">Women and Leadership special section<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Read on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/11\/19\/business\/women-entrepreneurs-advice.html\">The New York Times<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"css-1fanzo5 StoryBodyCompanionColumn\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\">They talk about how they launched their organizations, the challenges of fund-raising, and they provide some advice.<picture class=\"css-1j5kxti\"><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-79elbk\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"css-1a48zt4 ehw59r15\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-children\">\n<figure class=\"css-jcw7oy e1g7ppur0\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"media\">\n<div class=\"css-1xdhyk6 erfvjey0\"><picture><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-1m50asq\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-1\/merlin_164004855_0300114e-757f-4dd9-ac4a-0f78d1c5e0d6-articleLarge.jpg?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"((min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 1004px)) 84vw, (min-width: 1005px) 60vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-1\/merlin_164004855_0300114e-757f-4dd9-ac4a-0f78d1c5e0d6-articleLarge.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 600w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-1\/merlin_164004855_0300114e-757f-4dd9-ac4a-0f78d1c5e0d6-jumbo.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 1024w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-1\/merlin_164004855_0300114e-757f-4dd9-ac4a-0f78d1c5e0d6-superJumbo.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 2048w\" alt=\"Lulu O\u2019Sullivan started GiftsDirect.com, the largest online retailer in Ireland.\"><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"css-1l44abu e1xdpqjp0\"><span class=\"css-16f3y1r e13ogyst0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Lulu O\u2019Sullivan started GiftsDirect.com, the largest online retailer in Ireland.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1fanzo5 StoryBodyCompanionColumn\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<h2 id=\"link-26482113\" class=\"css-1320w4z eoo0vm40\">LuLu O\u2019Sullivan<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><a class=\"css-1g7m0tk\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.giftsdirect.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">GiftsDirect.com<\/em><\/a><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">\/<\/em><a class=\"css-1g7m0tk\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theirishstore.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">TheIrishStore.com<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\">As a young girl, Ms. O\u2019Sullivan spent Saturday mornings watching her grandmother deftly chat up customers at the counter of her sweet shop on Merrion Row in Dublin. \u201cGranny was quite a character,\u201d said Ms. O\u2019Sullivan, founder of GiftsDirect.com, the largest online retailer in Ireland, and TheIrishStore.com, which sells Irish products globally. \u201cShe loved running her own business. Customers would walk blocks past other similar stores just to spend a few minutes with her.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\">In 1987, Ms. O\u2019Sullivan embarked on her own journey as an entrepreneur, selling teddy bears and driving a moped to deliver them. She took off with start-up capital of&nbsp;2,000&nbsp;pounds funded by her friends and family \u2014 and the soul of her grandmother driving her forward.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Seek out women-friendly initiatives and supporters.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201c<a class=\"css-1g7m0tk\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/goingforgrowth.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Going for Growth<\/a>&nbsp;is an initiative to support female entrepreneurs in the Republic of Ireland. Look for funders who support women-owned businesses.&nbsp;<a class=\"css-1g7m0tk\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.enterprise-ireland.com\/en\/start-a-business-in-ireland\/startups%20led%20by%20ambitious%20women\/new-%DB150-000-fund-for-female-entrepreneurship-development-programmes.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Enterprise Ireland<\/a>, for example, has a special fund for female entrepreneurs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Keep learning.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cIn 2009, the opportunity to attend an intensive yearlong program sponsored by Enterprise Ireland,&nbsp;<a class=\"css-1g7m0tk\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.enterprise-ireland.com\/en\/Management\/Leadership-and-Management-Development\/Leadership-4-Growth-Programme.shortcut.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leadership 4 Growth<\/a>, held at Stanford University Graduate School of Business, boosted my leadership, strategic capability, and confidence. It was like an M.B.A. with no exams, thank you. This was a game changer in the business. It allowed me to step back and say \u2018hang on a second what is it we really need to do to get to the next stage?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1fanzo5 StoryBodyCompanionColumn\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Build a strong team.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cHire the right people around you. You don\u2019t need to be sitting in every meeting. Delegate, and take time for self-reflection. Have an excellent financial person beside you. I was all about sales and marketing and a beautiful website, and I had to learn that one. Know what you\u2019re good at and not good at to fill the gaps in the leadership team.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Core leadership traits for women entrepreneurs. \u201c<\/strong>I look for perseverance and creativity because you don\u2019t know what will be thrown at you the next day. Finally, being an entrepreneur requires you to be an optimist. You can say that\u2019s a disaster because of x or y. It is really about how can we maneuver our way through this and keep going?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-79elbk\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"css-z3e15g\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-wrapper-hidden\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1f80a8a ehw59r12\">\n<div class=\"css-tux0zj ehw59r13\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-overlay\">\n<div class=\"css-8ekxo3 ehw59r11\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-captionblock\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-10grdgx ehw59r14\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"css-8h527k\">\n<div data-testid=\"lazyimage-container\"><picture class=\"css-1j5kxti\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-2\/merlin_163898004_d2ef36ef-1791-4ea9-a343-30e1383b3609-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale&amp;width=600\" media=\"(max-width: 599px) and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 3),(max-width: 599px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 3dppx),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 288dpi)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-2\/merlin_163898004_d2ef36ef-1791-4ea9-a343-30e1383b3609-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale&amp;width=1200\" media=\"(max-width: 599px) and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 2),(max-width: 599px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 2dppx),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 192dpi)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-2\/merlin_163898004_d2ef36ef-1791-4ea9-a343-30e1383b3609-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale&amp;width=1800\" media=\"(max-width: 599px) and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1),(max-width: 599px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 1dppx),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 96dpi)\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-2\/merlin_163898004_d2ef36ef-1791-4ea9-a343-30e1383b3609-articleLarge.jpg?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"((min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 1004px)) 84vw, (min-width: 1005px) 60vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-2\/merlin_163898004_d2ef36ef-1791-4ea9-a343-30e1383b3609-articleLarge.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 600w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-2\/merlin_163898004_d2ef36ef-1791-4ea9-a343-30e1383b3609-jumbo.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 1024w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-2\/merlin_163898004_d2ef36ef-1791-4ea9-a343-30e1383b3609-superJumbo.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 2048w\" alt=\"\"><\/picture><span style=\"color: #23282d; font-size: 1.6em; font-weight: 600;\">Kristen Miller and Amanda Johnson<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1fanzo5 StoryBodyCompanionColumn\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><a class=\"css-1g7m0tk\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mentedcosmetics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">Mented Cosmetics<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\">Ms. Miller, right, known as KJ, and Ms. Johnson, founders of New York City-based Mented Cosmetics, were frustrated they couldn\u2019t find makeup for dark-skinned women like themselves. \u201cWe decided if we couldn\u2019t find that brand, we would create that brand,\u201d Ms. Miller said. They started in 2017.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Start small.<\/strong> \u201cIf it\u2019s something you\u2019re passionate about, find a way to start testing it and doing it, even if it\u2019s on a really small scale,\u201d Ms. Miller said. \u201cInstead of debuting with a wide range of makeup products, we had a niche product-nude lipstick.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1wtvwtv epkadsg3\">\n<div class=\"css-15g2oxy epkadsg2\">\n<div class=\"css-2b3w4o e16ij5yr6\">\n<div class=\"css-i9gxme e16ij5yr4\">\n<div class=\"css-1j8dw05 e16ij5yr2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2019\/11\/19\/business\/women-entrepreneurs.html?partner=IFTTT\">How Can Female Entrepreneurs Attract Financing?<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-2b3w4o e16ij5yr6\">\n<div>&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1vm5oi9 e16ij5yr0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Partner with someone.<\/strong> \u201cThere are eight bazillion things that have to be done, and having someone who is a sounding board to bounce ideas off, to push back when something doesn\u2019t make sense, is really helpful,\u201d Ms. Miller said. You can play off each other\u2019s strengths. Ms. Miller focuses on communication and long-range strategy; Ms. Johnson is the day-to-day- detail-oriented, hands-on operator.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1fanzo5 StoryBodyCompanionColumn\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Go after your network.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cThe world truly does work on a \u2018who you know\u2019 basis, and even in the best intentions people invest in, and want to work, with people who look like them, talk like them, have similar experiences,\u201d Ms. Johnson said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Practice makes perfect.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cWhen we talk to investors now, we ask them what they can do for us,\u201d Ms. Miller said. \u201cIn the beginning, we never did that because we needed the money. Our question was always: what can we do for you, and how many ways can we show you how amazing we are, and how much data can we show you, what kind of dog and pony show can we put on? Now we have a better understanding that No. 1 this is a partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Core leadership traits for women entrepreneurs.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cRunning this business is the hardest thing I have ever done,\u201d Ms. Miller said. \u201cIt is incredibly, unbelievably difficult. I\u2019m filled with anxiety on most days. It\u2019s not for the faint of heart. The leaders I admire are women who are taking risks, who are very assertive about their vision and somewhat unapologetic about pursuing that vision and have a way of getting others on board with them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-79elbk\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"css-z3e15g\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-wrapper-hidden\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1swxctj ehw59r12\">\n<div class=\"css-tux0zj ehw59r13\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-overlay\">\n<div class=\"css-8ekxo3 ehw59r11\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-captionblock\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-po2cvv ehw59r14\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"css-8h527k\">\n<div data-testid=\"lazyimage-container\"><picture class=\"css-1j5kxti\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-3\/merlin_164065542_7b63d029-6bfe-41c1-9cb0-ca1b4762ea11-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale&amp;width=600\" media=\"(max-width: 599px) and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 3),(max-width: 599px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 3dppx),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 288dpi)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-3\/merlin_164065542_7b63d029-6bfe-41c1-9cb0-ca1b4762ea11-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale&amp;width=1200\" media=\"(max-width: 599px) and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 2),(max-width: 599px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 2dppx),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 192dpi)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-3\/merlin_164065542_7b63d029-6bfe-41c1-9cb0-ca1b4762ea11-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale&amp;width=1800\" media=\"(max-width: 599px) and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1),(max-width: 599px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 1dppx),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 96dpi)\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-3\/merlin_164065542_7b63d029-6bfe-41c1-9cb0-ca1b4762ea11-articleLarge.jpg?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"((min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 1004px)) 84vw, (min-width: 1005px) 60vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-3\/merlin_164065542_7b63d029-6bfe-41c1-9cb0-ca1b4762ea11-articleLarge.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 600w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-3\/merlin_164065542_7b63d029-6bfe-41c1-9cb0-ca1b4762ea11-jumbo.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 1024w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-3\/merlin_164065542_7b63d029-6bfe-41c1-9cb0-ca1b4762ea11-superJumbo.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 2048w\" alt=\"\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1a48zt4 ehw59r15\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-children\">\n<figure class=\"css-jcw7oy e1g7ppur0\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"media\">\n<div class=\"css-1xdhyk6 erfvjey0\">\n<div class=\"css-8h527k\">\n<div data-testid=\"lazyimage-container\"><span class=\"css-1ly73wi e1tej78p0\">Credit: <\/span>Lindsey Byrnes<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1fanzo5 StoryBodyCompanionColumn\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<h2 id=\"link-5d9f9a7f\" class=\"css-1320w4z eoo0vm40\">Fran Dunaway and Naomi Gonzalez<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><a class=\"css-1g7m0tk\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/tomboyx.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">TomboyX<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\">Ms. Dunaway, right, wanted a comfortable, button-down dress shirt. \u201cWhat really kicked off this journey was my frustration with the lack of choices that fit my style,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\">In 2013, she started&nbsp;TomboyX&nbsp;with Naomi Gonzalez via a Kickstarter campaign to fund the manufacturing of the shirt. The next year, TomboyX introduced its first boxer brief for women \u2014 a product requested by numerous customers. Based on the demand for the briefs, TomboyX pivoted to focus on gender-neutral underwear and related apparel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Lean in to each other.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cWomen are gathering into groups, teaching each other and getting smarter about investment, about finance, about funding,\u201d Ms. Dunaway said. \u201cSeek out pitch competitions and incubators and women\u2019s entrepreneur networks near you. Look for firms that make investments in other women, such as the&nbsp;<a class=\"css-1g7m0tk\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/womenscapitalconnection.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Women\u2019s Capital Connection<\/a>.\u201d Being part of the&nbsp;<a class=\"css-1g7m0tk\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ey.com\/en_gl\/entrepreneurship\/winning-women\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women program<\/a> in 2017 also bolstered Ms. Dunaway\u2019s network. The program provides high-potential women entrepreneurs with education, connections, and community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1fanzo5 StoryBodyCompanionColumn\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Lay the groundwork.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cHave a thoughtful strategy around why you are raising capital and what your investors will get out of an investment,\u201d Ms. Dunaway said. \u201cBuild a strategy around who you talk to, so you don\u2019t waste your time kissing any frogs. Have they invested in companies like you before? Is this their sweet spot? What do I want from them besides a check? You will save yourself so much heartache by being strategic about that and using your network on LinkedIn to get introductions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Core leadership traits for women entrepreneurs.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cIt\u2019s the ability to inspire, keep people focused and motivated about what your vision is and moving the needle,\u201d Ms. Dunaway said. \u201cPlus, you need an ability to communicate that in an effective way so that people feel empowered.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-79elbk\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"css-1a48zt4 ehw59r15\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-children\">\n<figure class=\"css-jcw7oy e1g7ppur0\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"media\">\n<div class=\"css-1xdhyk6 erfvjey0\">\n<div class=\"css-8h527k\">\n<div data-testid=\"lazyimage-container\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"lazyimage-container\"><picture class=\"css-1j5kxti\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-1m50asq\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-6\/merlin_164068266_588d0fdc-1e81-47a6-91da-2aeebdb248a4-articleLarge.jpg?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"((min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 1004px)) 84vw, (min-width: 1005px) 60vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-6\/merlin_164068266_588d0fdc-1e81-47a6-91da-2aeebdb248a4-articleLarge.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 600w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-6\/merlin_164068266_588d0fdc-1e81-47a6-91da-2aeebdb248a4-jumbo.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 1024w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-6\/merlin_164068266_588d0fdc-1e81-47a6-91da-2aeebdb248a4-superJumbo.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 2048w\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figcaption class=\"css-1l44abu e1xdpqjp0\"><span class=\"css-cnj6d5 e1z0qqy90\"><span class=\"css-1ly73wi e1tej78p0\">Credit: <\/span>Jane Gershovich\/Jane G. Photography<\/span><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1fanzo5 StoryBodyCompanionColumn\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<h2 id=\"link-2d6b377\" class=\"css-1320w4z eoo0vm40\">Amy Nelson<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><a class=\"css-1g7m0tk\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/theriveter.co\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">The Riveter<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\">Ms. Nelson of Seattle was looking for a workplace where she could network with other women. When she could only find a co-working space that was male-centric, she decided in 2017 to open her own \u2014 The Riveter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Know what you\u2019re selling.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cYour job as an entrepreneur is to tell them how&nbsp;<em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">they<\/em>&nbsp;will make money. I have had to overcome the perception that I am a woman, a mother, in my late 30s, so I made a decision to take it head-on and describe how I see motherhood as a strength. I would hear: \u2018Great pitch \u2026 but I have to ask are you physically up for this? Are you physically up for building a national company? You have three kids and one is a baby, can you do this?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Put yourself out there.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cEnter pitch competitions. I entered a small-business competition when I was thinking about launching The Riveter. The competition forced me to get everything together \u2014 to write a financial projection, a business plan, to figure out how to pitch my business. It was a compressed amount of time, and I was forced into this funnel. I often wonder: Would I have made the jump if I hadn\u2019t done that? It pushed my idea forward to a place of action.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Core leadership traits for women entrepreneurs.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cPatience \u2014 parenting has taught me patience with myself and patience with those around me that I didn\u2019t have before.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"story-ad-5-wrapper\" class=\"css-2ninbb\">\n<div id=\"after-story-ad-5\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-79elbk\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"css-vks2vt ehw59r12\">\n<div class=\"css-tux0zj ehw59r13\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-overlay\">\n<div class=\"css-vqkmxr ehw59r11\" data-testid=\"photoviewer-captionblock\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1ljyvjk ehw59r14\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"css-8h527k\">\n<div data-testid=\"lazyimage-container\"><picture class=\"css-1j5kxti\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-5\/merlin_164218689_dfe7e450-66cb-4a03-aade-eeca47a1a5f8-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale&amp;width=600\" media=\"(max-width: 599px) and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 3),(max-width: 599px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 3dppx),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 288dpi)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-5\/merlin_164218689_dfe7e450-66cb-4a03-aade-eeca47a1a5f8-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale&amp;width=1200\" media=\"(max-width: 599px) and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 2),(max-width: 599px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 2dppx),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 192dpi)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-5\/merlin_164218689_dfe7e450-66cb-4a03-aade-eeca47a1a5f8-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale&amp;width=1800\" media=\"(max-width: 599px) and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 1),(max-width: 599px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 1dppx),(max-width: 599px) and (min-resolution: 96dpi)\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-5\/merlin_164218689_dfe7e450-66cb-4a03-aade-eeca47a1a5f8-articleLarge.jpg?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"((min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 1004px)) 84vw, (min-width: 1005px) 60vw, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-5\/merlin_164218689_dfe7e450-66cb-4a03-aade-eeca47a1a5f8-articleLarge.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 600w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-5\/merlin_164218689_dfe7e450-66cb-4a03-aade-eeca47a1a5f8-jumbo.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 1024w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2019\/11\/20\/multimedia\/20sp-women-fund-5\/merlin_164218689_dfe7e450-66cb-4a03-aade-eeca47a1a5f8-superJumbo.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 2048w\" alt=\"\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1fanzo5 StoryBodyCompanionColumn\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<h2 id=\"link-a3c64d2\" class=\"css-1320w4z eoo0vm40\">Claudine Adeyemi<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><a class=\"css-1g7m0tk\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.careerear.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em class=\"css-2fg4z9 e1gzwzxm0\">Career Ear<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\">Ms. Adeyemi, creator of London-based Career Ear, discovered the challenges of trying to find a job and a career path when she didn\u2019t have resources or role models. She lived it and was determined to make that transition easier for others, so in 2016 she launched her own online career advice and networking app and website.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Think bigger.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cI\u2019m still learning this myself. Most women and, certainly, women of color, often don\u2019t dream as big as men. If you\u2019re thinking of a particular problem that you want to solve, or business you want to launch, be thinking of how that can be done at its biggest possible scale.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Take action.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cIf there\u2019s a cause you care about, or an issue that you want to resolve, do something. Maybe your project will turn into a hobby and not a business venture, but you get into the habit of making a start. You will learn along the way and impact, no matter how small, is still impact.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-exrw3m evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Core leadership traits for women entrepreneurs.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cPutting the ladder down behind you is a key quality of a female leader. You must mentor others and be visible to encourage and support others. Share your story, nurture and develop others to become leaders. That\u2019s what leaders do.<\/p>\n<p>By<a href=\"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\">&nbsp;<span class=\"css-1baulvz last-byline\">Kerry Hannon<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" data-attachment-id=\"7907\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?attachment_id=7907\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ME.jpg?fit=960%2C960&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"960,960\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"ME\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Kerry Hannon, photo by Photopia, Elizabeth Dranitzke&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ME.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ME.jpg?fit=640%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ME.jpg?resize=640%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7907\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ME.jpg?w=960&amp;ssl=1 960w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ME.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ME.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ME.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ME.jpg?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption>Kerry Hannon, photo by Photopia, Elizabeth Dranitzke<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"967\" data-attachment-id=\"7545\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?attachment_id=7545\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hannon_never.jpg?fit=1838%2C2775&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1838,2775\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"hannon_never\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hannon_never.jpg?fit=199%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hannon_never.jpg?fit=640%2C967&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hannon_never.jpg?resize=640%2C967&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7545\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hannon_never.jpg?resize=678%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 678w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hannon_never.jpg?resize=199%2C300&amp;ssl=1 199w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hannon_never.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hannon_never.jpg?resize=600%2C906&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hannon_never.jpg?w=1838&amp;ssl=1 1838w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/hannon_never.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:20px; padding-top:10px;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - http:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_toolbar\" href=\"http:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/share-small.png?w=640&#038;ssl=1\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top:5px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_t=new Array(\"Twitter\",\"Facebook\",\"Google Plus\",\"Pinterest\",\"Linkedin\",\"StumbleUpon\",\"Digg\",\"Reddit\",\"Bebo\",\"Delicious\");var hupso_background_t=\"#EAF4FF\";var hupso_border_t=\"#66CCFF\";var hupso_toolbar_size_t=\"small\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_url_t=\"\";var hupso_title_t=\"Advice on Starting Your Own Business\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/share_toolbar.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cIf it\u2019s something you\u2019re passionate about, find a way to start testing it and doing it, even if it\u2019s on a really small scale,\u201d Ms. Miller said. <\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:20px; padding-top:10px;\" class=\"hupso-share-buttons\"><!-- Hupso Share Buttons - http:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/ --><a class=\"hupso_toolbar\" href=\"http:\/\/www.hupso.com\/share\/\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/buttons\/share-small.png\" style=\"border:0px; padding-top:5px; float:left;\" alt=\"Share Button\"\/><\/a><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var hupso_services_t=new Array(\"Twitter\",\"Facebook\",\"Google Plus\",\"Pinterest\",\"Linkedin\",\"StumbleUpon\",\"Digg\",\"Reddit\",\"Bebo\",\"Delicious\");var hupso_background_t=\"#EAF4FF\";var hupso_border_t=\"#66CCFF\";var hupso_toolbar_size_t=\"small\";var hupso_image_folder_url = \"\";var hupso_url_t=\"\";var hupso_title_t=\"Advice on Starting Your Own Business\";<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/static.hupso.com\/share\/js\/share_toolbar.js\"><\/script><!-- Hupso Share Buttons --><\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6898,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[59,36,237],"tags":[510,110,68],"class_list":["post-7918","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers","category-entrepreneur","category-retirement-2","tag-entrepreneurship","tag-small-business","tag-women"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryhannon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/download.png?fit=240%2C210&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3YFQS-23I","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7918","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7918"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7918\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7929,"href":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7918\/revisions\/7929"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6898"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}