Get a Global Perspective As a Female Entrepreneur

Posted on 30. Aug, 2009 by Natalie in Business Resources, Entrepreneurs

The biggest mistake I’ve made is believing I’m the only one riding the roller coaster of emotions and experiences you encounter as an Entrepreneur. Then you speak to others and read about their experiences and realize you’re not alone at all. In fact you’re surrounded by a huge number of other crazy people who are on the same ride.

Tip No 1. Talk to other entrepreneurs regularly
I’ve started surrounding myself with the support of entrepreneurs here in Vancouver, both as friends and mentors. They keep me energized and inspired when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed. They have the right advice and insight just when you need it. Start finding these amazing people in your local area and meet with them regularly over breakfast, coffee, dinner or even by email or a phonecall.

Tip No 2. Set up your online support network.
I am constantly building up a list of blogs to read daily in 20-30 min sessions starting with what I call my `Morning munch’ of learning. I access them via Google Reader so I can skim through the updates and pick out the most important ones. Blogs I read are directly related to areas I’m dealing with like social networks, or contain the latest news and trends so I’m instantly up to date. Others act as a `how to’ so that I learn something new daily and some just provide me with creative or comic relief – very important to not take yourself too seriously.

Websites I visit regularly include TED for inspiring videos, YouTube, Twitter via  the awesome Hootsuite tool that allows me to set up groups for my interest areas and put direct feeds from influential tweeters so I can easily read up on what’s happening right now and not get lost in the information overload.
Naturally I’m a big fan of Facebook, not only to keep abreast of my friends’ lives, but as a business tool for engagement with customers and for staying on top of the constant platform upgrades by Facebook that affect FundRazr. I love LinkedIn to connect and learn more about the people I’ve just met on a professional front, and to read the discussions of the industry groups I’m part of.

Tip No 3. Get other people to help you
Yes you’re amazing juggling all those balls and wearing all those Entrepreneurial hats, but do you need to run yourself into the ground trying to do it all? There are plenty of people who are more than willing to help you with advice, resources or their time and expertise. You just have to ask! I’ve found this especially so when you’re passionate about what you do. Plus you will inevitably help them in return. It’s a reciprocal circle.

You can also pay other people to do some of those many tasks that are overwhelming you. Yes you can. One of the hardest things to do is let go of the reigns and delegate but it’s a skill you’re going to need and quickly!
Think about it this way, if your time is worth, for example, $40 per hour, then why are you working on research or administrative tasks when you can contract someone who’s an expert in that area for much less?

I feel like a salesperson for oDesk as I recommend them to everyone as a brilliant outsourcing community. Within 10 minutes of signing up you could have hired a capable candidate who has the expertise and capability you asked for in your brief job description that you posted. Trust me I’ve done it! Candidates will `bid’ for work, provide their CV and a brief intro letter plus their rate and then it’s up to you to hire who you want for as long as you want.

Need a logo designed, a website developed or marketing materials to promote your business? We used Crowdspring for our initial logo design and had over 30 talented people submit designs that we got to choose from. Outsourcing is such a great option that means you have people working for you 24/7 and often at a fraction of the cost because you’re going direct to the source.

Before starting WomanzWorld I contracted Mary in the Philippines through oDesk to compile a resource of organizations, associations, websites, blogs and books that all cater specifically to female entrepreneurs. She completely over delivered finding so many that I’ve only just found time to go through them all. Each week I’m going to pick a few from the list to focus on so you can check them out yourself. Starting now!

Women around the world unite
No matter where you are in the world you will have an instant network to help you to succeed in business. The following three are international resources for female entrepreneurs:

• World Association of Women Entrepreneurs
  Promoting and reinforcing womens entrepreneurial initiative worldwide
• Women in Trade International
  United around the globe to foster international trade and the advancement of women in business.
• International women’s Tribune Centre
  Committed to empowering people and building communities, providing communication, information, education, and organizing support services to women’s organizations and community groups working to improve the lives of women, particularly low-income women, in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

These are just a few of the hundreds of resources at your fingertips. Start tapping into it today.

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Tags: Business support, Crowdspring, oDesk, Online networking sites, social networks