If women entrepreneurs want to grow their businesses, they need to network. That means stop behaving like shy little girls: Put yourself out there, especially when the economy is slow.

6 Tips for Raising Venture Capital Fast

by Geri Stengel on Apr 18, 2013 - 12:20am

How To Small Business Stanford’s Clayman Institute for Gender Research venture capital women entrepreneurs Women Entrepreneurship

When it comes to raising money from venture capitalists, the gender of an entrepreneur matters, According to new research from Stanford’s Clayman Institute for Gender Research, VCs have confidence in a man with a business background leading a tech company, but not in a woman with a comparable profile.

How to Build a $10 Million Business, from Women Who Did It

by Geri Stengel on Apr 11, 2013 - 12:20am

Commentary / Opinion How To Small Business small business growth women entrepreneurs Women Entrepreneurship

Elite women-owned business -- those earning $10 million in revenue annually -- are growing in numbers almost 50% faster than $10 million business in general and nearly 100% faster than all women-owned businesses, according to Growing Under the Radar: An Exploration of the achievement of Million-Dollar women-Owned Firms, research commissioned by American Express OPEN.

Can Changing How, Where and When We Work Create More Women Leaders

by Geri Stengel on Apr 4, 2013 - 12:20am

Analysis Commentary / Opinion Leadership Small Business telecommuting women entrepreneurs Women Entrepreneurship work flex workplace policies

Recently, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer stirred controversy by ditching the company’s telecommuting policy and requiring employees to report to the office. While many have criticized her decision because it disproportionately affects working mothers, others believe it may save the struggling tech company from obsolescence. To them, Mayer’s decision is justified if it will help Yahoo’s bottom line.

So You Want to Be A Crowdfunding Investor: Here’s How to Start

by Geri Stengel on Mar 21, 2013 - 12:20am

angel investors crowdfunding Small Business Trends women entrepreneurs women investors

You, too, can help fuel the American Dream by investing in entrepreneurs whose companies may become the next Spanx or SlideShare. Investment in start-up and growing businesses isn’t just for financial institutions any more. Many people, not just friends and family, want to help entrepreneurs solve problems, innovate, and create jobs.

8 Strategies Successful Women Entrepreneurs Use

by Geri Stengel on Feb 28, 2013 - 12:20am

Commentary / Opinion growing women-owned businesses Small Business small business Trends women entrepreneurs Women Entrepreneurship women in business

It’s always exciting to see someone you know – in my case, Sharon Hadary – publish a book. Even better when your interests overlap with the topic of the book. I thought I would see how the factors that Hadary and Laura Henderson laid out in How Women Lead: 8 Essential Strategies Successful Women Know apply to the women entrepreneurs I’ve written about.

Angel Investors See Women Entrepreneurs As Good Investment

by Geri Stengel on Feb 14, 2013 - 12:20am

angel investors building small businesses capitalizing women-owned business Commentary / Opinion Small Business Trends women entrepreneurs Women Entrepreneurship

People who provide money and expertise to help small businesses become huge businesses are called angels. Some fly solo, others in a group. The benefit of a group of angels is sharing insights and expertise of other members when evaluating potential investments and, by so doing, increase the return on your investment. The whole is, after all, greater than the sum of its parts in brainstorming as well as metaphysics. It’s called synergy.

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Why Women Entrepreneurs Should Go with the Crowd

by Geri Stengel on Feb 7, 2013 - 12:20am

Commentary / Opinion crowdfunding JOBS act Small Business small business financing Trends women entrepreneurs Women Entrepreneurship

Women-owned firms start and grow businesses with substantially less outside financing, according to a Department of Commerce survey of women-owned companies across the U.S. That helps to explain why the average women-owned business has 25% lower revenue than the typical male-owned firm in the same industry.

How Small Business Grow as Their Leaders Do

by Geri Stengel on Jan 17, 2013 - 12:20am

Commentary / Opinion growing small business Profile: Company Small Business small business leadership women entrepreneurs Women Entrepreneurship

Alexandra Ferguson started her business on a whim: making decorative throw pillows with bold typography out of eco-friendly materials that are produced locally and sold online.

What Women Entrepreneurs Need Before They Join the Crowd

by Geri Stengel on Jan 10, 2013 - 12:20am

Commentary / Opinion crowdfunding Small Business small business funding Trends women entrepreneurs Women Entrepreneurship women investors

Recently I wrote about a new funding source for entrepreneurs: crowdfunding. Right now, small businesses can raise money from the online crowd in exchange for a give-away, such as a product or service. Sometime in 2013 the rules and guidelines for the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act should be approved, which will allow companies to give equity to crowdfunding investors in the U.S.