Female entrepreneurs on the upswing

NORTH COUNTY – Starting a business is no small task. But as the 21st Century progresses, more and more female entrepreneurs are embracing the challenge of starting their own businesses.

Though each entrepreneur has his or her own motivation for starting a business, the chance to be one’s own boss and turn an idea into a successful business is a driving force for both male and female entrepreneurs

The continued success of female entrepreneurs has shed new light on just how successful female entrepreneurs can be. The following are a few tips for women looking to start their own business.

• Seek out a mentor. Find a female business owner that that is willing to provide some advice. While she might not be able to help with any specifics regarding a certain type of business, she can very well share stories of what one can expect as a woman setting out to start her own business.

• Have an airtight business plan. Women must be diligent and detailed when creating a business plan. Look at the finished business plan and ask yourself if you would invest if you were an outsider.

• One shouldn’t expect to finance her business entirely on her own. Unless the business is going to be especially small, capital will be needed to start it. A business loan or investors can help plan for the unexpected. Think about this ahead of time. If a person thinks she can handle it themselves, then finds out she needs a business loan, the lending institution might find the brand has already been damaged and is less likely to succeed. That can make it harder to secure a business loan.

• Develop a support system. Many women with business experience might feel they need to prove something to themselves when starting their own business and need to do so entirely on their own. While that’s great motivation, underestimating the value of a support system, including a spouse, children and mentor, is a mistake. Rely on people who have a positive attitude, and turn their support into extra motivation.