Success is very much attainable, something that we all want and work hard to achieve. Running a business is risky and the chance of success can be slim without proper planning. So, what preparations should you make to ensure the long-term success as an entrepreneur? Here, 5 successful women entrepreneurs speak candidly about their secrets to success.
Follow Your Dreams
Imagine walking away from a dead end 9-5 to follow your dreams? What if you could build a lucrative business doing what you love and creating your own destiny? Well, many women are doing just that. Take for example Deborah Bailey, who after several years in the corporate world, graduated from Coach U and successfully transitioned to career consultant and coach by founding her company, Deb Bailey Coaching. Bailey says, “Success is having the freedom to follow my dreams.” She goes on to say, “I think just taking a chance makes you a success. It’s not only about achieving a certain dollar amount or material things.”
Set Achievable Goals
Planning is the key to success in any business. Most entrepreneurs set goals that are too vague, thus, causing goals not to be completed. This can be avoided by setting specific and attainable goals. Determine what your priorities are and then focus on them. By prioritizing your goals, you are focusing on those that are important to the overall success of your company.
Tiffany Lymon, a personal and professional development organization and CEO of Mind over Money, LLC, says, “I have found that when you get to the root of many people’s goals, what you will find is that they really want the ability to make a different choice. I think that the ability to intentionally choose the life you want to live is what makes people feel free and successful. Some people want to reach their goals to give away all they have; some people want to reach their goals to get more of what they don’t have – either way success for both people is measured by their ability to choose the life they want to live – rather than having to live by default.” By staying focused on your business goals, you will achieve the success that you imagined, and more!
Make a Positive Difference… Pay It Forward!
“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.” Madeleine Albright, Former U.S. Secretary of State
It is my strongest belief that with success come a responsibility to help or support other women. Since 2004, I’ve spent countless hours as a volunteer SCORE counselor and personally mentor aspiring entrepreneurs.
Media Producer & Consultant and award winning blogger Natalie MacNeil practices what she preaches. She spends considerable amount of time volunteering with the not-for-profit that she co-founded as well as many other organizations. MacNeil says, “Success is being able to make a living doing what I love and inspiring others to do the same. I measure success in how many people I can reach and inspire.”
Hold Strong to Your Faith
“Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible.” Mary McLeod Bethune
As an entrepreneur, circumstances will cause us to question our faith. We must remember that not everything we do will turn out according to our plan. It is important to remain positive and stand strong in your faith. “I believe a person is successful,” explains Walethia Aquil, Founder of Grace and Charm Success System, “if they are using the gifts and talents God had blessed them with as well as having supportive friends, family, and good health.
Don’t Give up when Faced with Difficult Challenges
Let’s face it, many of us have been faced with challenges due to a down economy as well as other major issues that make us question if business ownership for us. The most successful entrepreneurs embrace challenges knowing that greater fulfillment, success and growth is obtained when you can adapt to any situation.
Says Kristie Kennedy, CEO of Atara Enterprises, LLC, “over the past few years I’ve had to redefine success; after having enormous challenges in building my company from the ground up with minimal resources. Success for me is accomplishing predetermined goals that I set out to achieve each and every day. Success is conquering old mindsets that are unproductive to my growth and development. Success is dusting myself off and rising again after falling flat on my face. Success is a state of mind in which I have the power to choose each day to embrace.” Have faith in your business, your capabilities and yourself!
Ralph Waldo Emerson couldn’t have said it better. “Success: To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!” Success is achieved on your own terms.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Sylvia Browder is CEO of Browder Consulting Group, a virtual small business consulting firm. In her role, she helps women achieve success through entrepreneurship. She is employed as Project Director and business consultant for the Women’s Business Center Inc, a non-profit economic development organization with a mission of empowering women to start and grow successful businesses. She has served as an online volunteer SCORE counselor since 2004. She also serves as a Technical Assistant Provider for SBA’s Community Express Loan Program. For FREE weekly articles go to Sylvia Browder’s Blog for Women Entrepreneur’s, www.sylviabrowder.com. She can be contacted at info@browderconsultinggroup.com..
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Sylvia Browder is CEO of Specialty Home Services LLC, a Home Improvement Company; a Small Business Consultant at Browder Consulting Group, a startup consultancy firm to help women with startup assistance, marketing, website and graphic design work and other support services. In addition, she has co-authored several published books; publisher of ‘Sylvia Browder’s Blog for Women Entrepreneurs’ a lifestyle blog; and publisher of ShopSpendBlack.com Business Directory & Blog platform created to help consumers find black owned businesses in a searchable format. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 30 years; 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren; church; friends and motorcycle riding.
