This document provides advice from several women small business owners and entrepreneurs on topics related to starting and running a business. It includes the following key points in 3 sentences: Sharifah Hardie advises believing in yourself and your abilities as an entrepreneur, as being a successful business owner provides benefits for your family. Gabriela Chavez emphasizes the importance of flexibility and an open mindset to prevent feeling overwhelmed when business plans change. Suzanne Meyer recommends finding your passion, maintaining a positive attitude, and associating with like-minded entrepreneurs who can provide support and learning opportunities.

1. Learning from Small
Business Women
Entrepreneurs

2. Sharifah Hardie, Business Consultant and
Radio Talk Show Host
“I would advise women business entrepreneurs to
believe in yourself and your abilities. Because we often
have so many things pulling on us and are responsible
for just about every aspect of our family lives we don’t
know if we have the time, energy or resources to add
one more thing to our plate. We feel as if our family
will suffer. Being a successful entrepreneur is one of
the best gifts you can give to your family, especially to
our children. We can then stand tall and say, “If I can
do it. You can do it!”
On believing in yourself …

3. Gabriela Chavez, Founder,
BeautiesontheGo.com
“Running a business has a lot of positive elements
and there is a wonderful sense of freedom, but
there are also the times you come across when you
can feel overwhelmed. Or there are times that you
feel you are running into a few walls; these are the
times that having a flexible and open minded
attitude helps. When things aren’t necessarily going
“as planned” being flexible that changing a thing or
two or (i.e. doing a little more research or forming a
strategic alliance with a company that could help
your company) could help prevent you from
stressing out and overwhelming yourself.”
On the importance of having a support system …

4. Suzanne Meyer, Founder of
The Welcome Committee
“Find your passion and be true to yourself. Anything
is possible when you believe in yourself. Always look
at the glass as half full, and keep a positive attitude,
it will get you far. Don’t give up easily….persevere.
Be interested in others, and they will find you
interesting. Smile and be happy….your inner beauty
will shine through. Associate yourself with like-
minded female entrepreneurs and get together
regularly…you will learn so much! Most of all, enjoy
what you do, and take pleasure in the little things!”
On finding your passion …

5. Kristin Marquet, President of Marquet
Communications
“Self-employment is not easy; it takes a lot of risk
and resiliency. You have to be willing to adapt to the
economy.
Self-employment takes such a huge time
commitment that can range anywhere from 25 hours
a week for a freelance business to 70 hours a week
for a fulltime business.
It may take many sleepless nights to get the
business off the ground in the beginning. Patience
and persevere are what bring success. Once you get
it though, all the hours you put in, make it worth
while.”
On patience and perseverance …

6. Mandy Krammel, Inventor of
Tweakerz Bra Accessory
“If you believe in your
product, don’t give up.
My patent was rejected
twice, thank goodness I
tried again. The bumps
in the road helped me
to create a better
product. Do your
research and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Consider doing your market
research study before investing too much money.”
On believing in
your product …

7. Jeanne Roth and Leslie Smith,
Founders, L'il Darlin Baby Accessories
“If I could give any advice to women starting
their own business it would be the following:
Be willing to change your business plan to
succeed, mistakes are learning experiences-not
failures, become certified by WBENC
(organization that supports minorities and
women in business), network/network/network!”
On being flexible …

8. Arve Krise, Founder,
SpoiledGrandKids.com
“Do what you love and love what you do.
My style may not work for everyone, but I
believe in the motto of a very large
company we all know, and that’s just do it.
You won’t ever be successful without the
risk of failure, and you sure aren’t going to be successful just sitting on the fence
thinking about it. There’s a saying that my husband uses, analysis to paralysis.
Personally, I’ve been successful and I’ve had businesses not work, but I’ve never
regretted not trying. Some of the biggest companies in the world have gone
through bankruptcies more than once, and have come back to be more
successful than ever. You can’t even think about failure, much less be afraid of it.
Just think of it as brushing off the dust.”
On willingness to take risks …

9. Kelly Wagner and Laura Thake, Creators of
the Daysteps Lifestyle Planner System
“There will always be more to do than you can
physically accomplish. That’s why prioritization is
critical. Every second spent on one activity is a
second *not* spent on another. If the latter
activities are more profitable than the ones you
are doing, that has a direct impact on the bottom
line. To prioritize marketing and sales activities,
ask yourself if that activity has a direct, positive
impact on reaching or satisfying your ideal
customer. If not, there are more profitable ways to
spend your time.”
On the importance of
prioritization …

10. Jen Husted, Owner of
JIH Designs
“Don’t be afraid to take risks!!! If you’re
confident about yourself and your work
then stick with it and stay true to what
you really want to do. If you’re not
extremely happy in your current work
situation, then it’s time to re-evaluate and do what you really have a
passion for.
I was “stuck” in well paying & secure job but I was the unhappiest I’ve
ever been. I took a large pay cut to pursue design and start a company. I
can honestly say that I have never for a second regretted my decision–
and, as a result, I have never been happier in my life.”
On finding your passion …

11. Laura Wellington, Founder, Giddy Gander
Company
“Fear is but a test.
How you handle it will
determine whether or
not you reach the next
step in your journey.
Let it energize you but
never stop you.”
On overcoming fear …

12. Joanna Vaiou, Founder,
SuccessBusinessMindset.com
• Only you are responsible for your life and for
your future
• Whatever you do today, will determine who
you will be tomorrow
• If you don’t take control of your life,
someone else will, & that will be forever
• Live your life with positivity, enjoy your life!
It’s short & wonderful to waste! Be a person
of value & admiration, joy and happiness,
purpose and positive energy.
Remember always …

13. For success and startup stories of women entrepreneurs, visit
www.womenhomebusiness.com