Group items tagged

"Neil Rhule, from the Caribbean's Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship..."Ive heard it said that entrepreneurs are born, not raised. This may or may not be true but I take some issue with this statement and the context in which it is used. First of all, what is an entrepreneur? An entrepreneur is defined as one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise. This basically means that you have a great idea or initiative and are willing to take the bold step to make it happen while considering the risks. To some, being an entrepreneur is just another word for being unemployed! Everyone is born with a talent and has the ability to learn a skill. I would like to share my three steps to becoming an entrepreneur that I believe is applicable to anyone. These three steps are: Step 1 - Have a talent or skill (be creative!) Step 2 - Offer a service based on that talent or skill Step 3 - Start a business from the service you offer

"Today, more women are breaking free from the traditional, gender-specific roles and venturing into the business world. Not only are they holding high corporate positions but they are also successful women entrepreneurs who own almost half of all businesses in the United States. The steady rise in female entrepreneurs can be due to many different reasons, most of which share the same rational as their male counterparts-passion for their ideas, the desire to become their own boss, and the need to address philanthropic causes. A recent study indicated that 1 out of every 11 adult women is an entrepreneur in the United States. Women business owners contribute to the overall employment of 18 million workers and generate anywhere from $2 to $3 trillion in U.S. economy revenues. Many of the important facts that follow will support these findings."

Interesting blog post on Inc., March 12, 2012 by Dave Balter and Jennifer Lum on spiderweb mentorship and horizontal entrepreneurialism. Think this has implications for connected learning, too. Excerpt: Spiderweb mentorship: Successful entrepreneurs and executives actively pushing people up and into the ecosystem. Horizontal entrepreneurism: Collaboration across companies, with entrepreneurs enthusiastically supporting each other.

Great blog on social enterprises and social entrepreneurs at the 7 Graces, Lynn Serafinn, June 13, 2014 Sounds like the WLS to me! "there are many more social entrepreneurs on the planet than there are those who own or operate 'official' social enterprises. Many independent business owners approach their enterprises in what I would call a new-paradigm way. Their mission is to use their businesses as vehicles to serve the public as well as make a living. They have clearly defined missions and sets of values by which they operate. They aim to address the specific needs of particular communities. They are passionate, value-driven business people who are dedicated to increasing happiness and wellbeing in the world and are able to see a 'meta-view' of the world and their places within it."

"Spirit of the Entrepreneur These 5 characteristics will take you far as you start your business. BY Sarah Pierce | February 27, 2008|"

"Something successful entrepreneurs should aim to have: Conviction. Being an entrepreneur is not the easy road to success. Sure, you're your own boss-making the conversation in which you ask for a raise far less awkward-but the hours are long, the market always crowded, the naysayers plenty. There will be discouraging news. But the ability to stand behind your decisions is essential. No one else can tell you what you want for your company, and don't let them try. Drive. As an entrepreneur, time is not on your side. The best-laid plans are those that are executed as swiftly as possible. Don't sit on an idea or wait until you've had a chance to "sleep on it." Act now. Innovation. The original brainchild might have been the thing that got you excited enough to take the leap into entrepreneurship. But longevity will depend on continually coming up with new ideas, from products to ways to market them to which audiences to target. Not all of these ideas will be winners. But having them is not optional. Inspiration. You may be your only employee. Or you might have a team that looks to you to engage them, foster their talents, and involve them in the bigger picture. Those employees who feel excited about, and part of, the overall vision will be encouraged to grow alongside you, and work hard for you. Focus. Establish your daily, weekly, quarterly goals and go after them. Connect dots on a daily basis. Avoid distractions, and distracting people. Independence. It's a lonely road, entrepreneurship. Though your goal is to foster community within your company, there will be days when you wish everyone else would be willing to work as hard as you are, to want it as much as you do. But realize that your company's success does mean more to you than it does to anyone else. Be willing to go the road alone on those days when everyone else has seemingly pulled off for lunch. That's what'll make the difference."

Rebekah Epstein talks about the young female entrepreneur and the rules they are breaking and making, while embracing their femininity.

beginning series on network entrepreneurs who thrive, by Jane Wei-Skillern, David Ehrlichman, & David Sawyer, September 16, 2016.  How should WLS embrace these four principles operationally in the networks we participate in?   

Blog by Tanya Benedicto Klich, FEbruary 10, 2014 that I found in my Entrepreneur feed, on the war on clutter. Uses apartment example of LifeEdited founder Graham Hill as one way to declutter radically. Has other worthwhile examples.

""Women small business owners are not just more optimistic about their own businesses, they're also more bullish about the prospects for female entrepreneurs who are just starting out," said Billie Dragoo, national board chairwoman of the National Association of Women Business Owners. "With a positive outlook and strong entrepreneurial spirit, women business owners continue to be a driving force of our economy." The research also gauged how female business owners are using social media to help grow their companies. While 85 percent of the women surveyed believe social media is important for building customer relationships, only 67 percent currently use social media to connect with customers. The study found that just 25 percent of female business owners are posting on social media at least once a day, with 23 percent rarely posting at all. When they do use social media, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube are the preferred platforms."

Blog post by Dorie Clark, Entrepreneur, April 11, 2014 on projecting expert credentials. 1. Solidify your digital credentials with a trail of digital breadcrumbs that mark you as an expert. 2. Speak up--get in front of potential clients throughfree workshops 3. Read the experts so that you know who the players are 4. Don't ask for permission, project confidence even if you don't feel it

interview with Randi Zuckerberg, Entrepreneur, December 22, 2014 Her formula: Work. Sleep. Family. Fitness. Friends. Pick three. Also offers a list of technologies that are useful as the parent of two young children, entrepreneur, careerwoman, etc.

good list of insights from entrepreneurs on first startups and how tough it is to get going--I can identify with a lot of them

From Entrepreneur.com: some fun and useful exercises to get in touch with what you are passionate about. All of them are active - none are text oriented.

In his book Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Guide to YouTube for Business, marketing and public relations consultant Jason Rich show you how to master the secrets of successful "YouTubers" and put your brand, product or service in front of millions of potential viewers. In this edited excerpt, the author outlines some common elements of successful, small-business focused videos. Valuable tips for making a YouTube video that will make a difference to potential clients.

nice infograph by Wendy Frink, social media editor at Entrepreneur , June 25, 2014, on using social media effectively with infographics, valuable content, bylines, etc.

Worth reading, on Entrepreneur, August 1, 2014, video comes up twice among the 7 trends in guest videos and interactive videos as content that you provide

Great blog post by Lisa Evans in Entrepreneur, 2.5.14,on how to make the most out of a day that may start out looking and feeling like a loser.

Adafruit was founded in 2005 by MIT engineer, Limor "Ladyada" Fried. Her goal was to create the best place online for learning electronics and making the best designed products for makers of all ages and skill levels. Over the last 6 years Adafruit has grown to over 45 employees in the heart of NYC. Adafruit has expanded offerings to include tools, equipment and electronics that Limor personally selects, tests and approves before going in to the Adafruit store. Limor was the first female engineer on the cover of WIRED magazine and was recently awarded Entrepreneur magazine's Entrepreneur of the year.

Someone my London cousin suggested we look at. She is quite something and has grown a very successful company. She is the first woman engineer featured on the cover of WIRED. Her site is interesting, and she awards badges for acquiring skills.

nfp that is concerned with ethical marketing for social entrepreneurs