Posted by Kate Stence on Mon, Apr 26, 2010
Overcoming Your Fears: The Entrepreneur's Journey
So you want to be an entrepreneur, right? That was my life dream. It was my solution for "having it all": a successful professional, personal and family life. These were my motivations. What are yours?
Like many entrepreneurs, I had major fears before taking the plunge. Having the entrepreneur’s dream, and making it a reality are two different beasts. There are many mental roadblocks that can inhibit you from taking the plunge:
I’m not sure about my idea. What if I fail?
Failure is what happens when you stop trying. No idea is perfect. Ideas evolve much like people. They grow, change, and need to be nurtured to blossom. Too many people think the idea is the key to entrepreneurial success. In reality, the idea is just the starting point. The challenges come with the journey that follows.
When I started Marry Me Live, I was a true idea romantic. I quickly realized that business success could not rely on the idea alone. Execution and evolution is the key to business prosperity. Although we are still true to the original mission (enabling everyone to attend the wedding regardless of geography), everything else about the business has evolved and changed in one way or another.
It is such a big risk. Is it worth giving up job security?
We all say we want to be an entrepreneur when times are bad. The question you need to ask yourself is “Would I still be willing to give up my job when times are good?”
Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. There is risk. There are ups and downs. It takes a certain mindset to stay positive when things look bleak. If the entrepreneurial drive is stronger than the benefits you receive at the best of times, it is time to re-evaluate your situation.
Look yourself in the mirror and determine if your current position is getting you closer to your entrepreneurial dream. If the answer is “no”, staying in your current situation is the “bigger” risk.
I'm scared. How do I get over my fear of “taking the leap”?
You are likely reading this article because you want to take the leap. You are halfway there. You’ve done your research. If you have not done your research, start by talking to entrepreneurs. You will realize that they are not super humans, but everyday people like you and me. Those individuals took the leap because their passion for their business overtook their fear of failure.
Still not convinced? Do something that scares you just a little bit everyday. Talk to that handsome stranger in the elevator, go skydiving, sing karaoke in a very crowded bar, whatever it is that gets you out of your comfort zone.
When you realize you are still alive and breathing, you may be closer to taking that leap after all.
I cannot afford to be an entrepreneur! How will I finance the business?
If you are passionate about being an entrepreneur, you will find creative ways to make it work. It could be a part-time job, friends and family investment, small business loan, or being a full-time employee/nights and weekend entrepreneur.
Keep in mind that you may not be able to afford your current lifestyle. Being an entrepreneur takes sacrifice. But, when you have the vision, the sacrifice is worth it.
These are a just a few of the many thoughts that I’m sure are swirling around in your head. After reading this, if you still think you want to be an entrepreneur, the best advice I can give you is to not over-think the process!
The biggest hurdle of all is keeping your fear of the unknown in check. The entrepreneur’s journey is risky, but it is that same risk that can make your dream a reality. You will never feel completely prepared, but that is what makes the journey so thrilling. Once you realize this, taking the plunge is much easier than you think. So step back, relax and jump!
About the Author:
Stacy Yamaoka is the co-founder of Marry Me Live, a live wedding streaming and wedding webcasting service enabling wedding couples to share their wedding LIVE with family and friends around the world. Stacy Yamaoka is also the Director of College Mentorship for Future Women Leaders.
Posted by Shradha Balakrishnan on Sun, Apr 25, 2010
Stanford Women in Business presents its annual conference, I Don’t Know to CEO, on Saturday, May 1st, 2010 at Stanford University. The conference strives to educate, motivate and connect students and young adults to achieve success at every point in their future careers. The conference will feature speakers who have reached these heights and are eager to share their stories.
At the conference, participants will take part in hands-on workshops and get the opportunity to network with others. For I Don’t Know to CEO 2010, they have an especially impressive line-up of speakers. Susie Cranston, author of "How Remarkable Women Lead," Rob Britton, a pioneer in the Airline Industry, and many more leaders of the fashion, finance and environment industries have agreed to share their stories with the aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders of today.
In order to attend I Don’t Know to CEO 2010, please visit their website
and register.
If you have any questions or concerns about the conference, please feel free to contact the VP of Conference, Rebecca Johnson (beckyj1@stanford.edu).
Posted by Kate Stence on Tue, Dec 01, 2009
The
International Museum of Women (I.M.O.W.) recently launched
Economica: Women and the Global Economy, its latest multimedia exhibition, which surveys the economic status of women worldwide from countries like India, China, Latin America to Egypt and here in the United States. Through engaging essays and photos, the show explores myriad themes, such as
new visions,
basic rights,
family and fertility,
giving,
marriage and money,
property and wealth,
grassroots solutions, as well as
business leadership and
microenterprise.
Along with exceptional interviews and podcasts by women leaders, scholars, activists, economists, and writers, such as I.M.O.W. Global Council member Delores Huerta and Nobel Peace Nominee Rajaa H. Dhaher Al-Khuzai, Curator Masum Momaya adds depth to each series with her insightful thoughts on why each topic is relevant to women's present and future roles in the global economy. Her essay on The Body Economic, for example, is a brilliant piece exploring how public policy and personal choices affect women's lives.
Change is needed everywhere, and due to vast financial, political, and social shifts, Economica is not only timely, but riveting. The sections on business leadership in Qatar and microenterprise in Latin America are particularly motivating in regard to women not only participating in the workforce, but reshaping it to suit their needs and better their lives.
In a recent Women's eNews update focusing on women issues throughout the world, California's own need to empower more women in the boardroom was cited. As reported by The Los Angeles Business article "Women Still Largely Absent in California Boardrooms," the Graduate School of Management at the University of California Davis shared that "companies with women in top positions perform better and are more socially responsible, but there are few women in California corporate executive suites and board rooms. Women hold only 10.6 percent of the top management and board positions in California's largest 400 firms, down from 10.9 percent in 2008. Forty-six percent of the companies have no female executives."
In addition to Economica's curated content, the exhibition features the stories, artwork, music, and films submitted by I.M.O.W.'s online community members. According to I.M.O.W, "Every woman participates in the economy, but we all have different stories to tell."
Posted by Melissa Tarpley on Tue, Nov 24, 2009
Preethy is one of the 2009 FWL-Become a Fearless Entrepreneur Alumni and Team Leader at Cisco. As our host, you can meet her at the Become a Fearless Entrepreneur Informational South Bay Session.
:: Current Title & Company
Co-Founder, GloSmart
:: Online Profiles
Join Preethy on LinkedIn
::Favorite Book?
Celebrating Silence - Sri Sri Ravishankar
Leadership and Self Deception - Arbinger Institute
::Woman Leader That Inspires You?
Indra Nooyi - CEO of PepsiCo
Padmasree Warrior - CTO of Cisco
::Who Was Your Best Manager? Why?
My best manager was Richard Faubert, my hiring manager at Cisco, San Jose. He encouraged me to grow from an individual contributor to a Program manager and it was my first step towards confidence and developing management skills.
::Your First "Real" Job?
My first Real job was at Hughes Software Systems in Bangalore, India. I started as a Software developer for Voice over IP.
::Where Do You Do Your Best Thinking?
More relevant - "When do I do my best thinking" - Right after my meditation, yoga or a relaxing activity
::What Do you Value Most in Employees? Colleagues?
I value employees, colleagues who honor their commitments, are straight talkers and honestly inform me both good and bad news.
::What Would you Like to Be The World's Best At?
I would rather be good at many things than best at one thing. That is why I chose to experiment with Entrepreneurship as it will give me a taste of everything I can do and I love variety.
::What Do You Consider Your Greatest Achievement?
Winning the Hughes Best student award in my final year at Undergrad competing against 50 top applicants from my university BITS Piliani, India.
::What is Your Personal Mission Statement?
My personal mission/ goal is to live in the present moment and focus on how to make a difference each day to myself, my family, my business and my world. My heart is full, my mind is clear and my body is relaxed. My intuition is guiding me to my ultimate destiny.
Posted by Dyna Lopez on Tue, Aug 04, 2009
The fate of mobile
phones, secrets to startup success, starting a SF business and landing
that Federal contract - pick the brains of industry experts as they
share their words of wisdom, experience and advice this week.
WHAT: The Next Big Thing in the Mobile World
- WHY: “Industry experts will discuss the benefits and challenges facing companies as customers and businesses demand more content of higher quality and speed wherever they are and on any device.” – Commonwealth Club
- WHEN: 8/05/09, 7:00 pm - ?
- WHERE: Microsoft, Building 1, 1065 La Avenida, Mountain View
- MULA: $15 Commonwealth Club members, $25 non-members
WHAT: Entrepreneurism: Begin with the End in Mind
- WHY: Find out the secrets to success for start ups and business builders in today's world. Ernst & Young 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year, Jon Fisher, will explain the benefits of an approach that emphasizes potential acquirers and a powerful economic predictor.
- WHEN: 8/05/09, 6:00pm - ?
- WHERE: Commonwealth Club San Francisco Office, 595 Market Street, 2nd Floor
- MULA: $8 for Commonwealth Club members, $15 for non-members
==================================================================
WHAT: Starting a Business in San Francisco
- WHY: San Francisco officials review permit process and business name registrations in this one stop seminar.
- WHEN: 8/05/09, 11:30am – 12:30pm
- WHERE: Small Business Administration (SBA) Office, 455 Market St., SF
==================================================================
WHAT: How to contract with the Federal Government
- WHY: Benefits and advantages of small business certification and what the procedures are.
- WHEN: 8/6/09, 9:00am-12:00pm
- WHERE: Small Business Administration (SBA) San Francisco Office, 455 Market St., SF
**
Read my Inquirer.net news story on how small business owners, and
women/minority/military disabled veteran business owners can score a
contract with utility giants (Comcast, AT&T, Verizon) and CA state
agencies. **
- Women owned businesses are on the rise! It's the fastest growing area according to recent research by the Center for Business Women's Research in Washington D.C., said Ilenna Winterhalter of AT&T. "The
fastest line of women owned businesses is women of color and that’s wonderful
to see." Winterhalter said.