Business Planning

Hi Liz - welcome to the AllBusiness Blog Center!

Hi Liz, I find that your contribution to the blog are inspirational indeed. However motivated some of us women may be, regardless of geographic boundaries, there are a million of us or more out there for whom it might be a mind-bending thought to take the plunge. Hence, a few success stories would help a lot in getting our entrepreneurial juices flowing about the kind of businesses other women have established and learn from their successes and failures. Who knows, it might help spin off ideas to start similar or related ventures. Thanks.

I think your writing is interesting. Whoever taught you about elevator speeches did you an injustice. I teach small business owners, mostly women and minority owned how to become successful. One of the key marketing concepts is to understand your business in a way that when you network yourself, you are not fumbling over words. We do not teach a script, but an understanding of her own business. Prepared in such a way that when asked "what do you do?", the entrepreneur can respond in a relaxed, non-intimidating and comfortable manner. An 'elevator speech' is a shorter version of any speech or presentation. One must practice her speech daily before the presentation. But never read from a 'script'. I give presentations regularly, short and long, I practice, practice, practice and never read from a script. So don't leave the elevator speech at home, learn it, practice it. Know thyself and your business. Listen, respond and be engaging. And most importantly, enjoy. 'If you are not having fun, you are doing it wrong.' Chris ...

This looks like a great community spot for new business owners. Dave ...

I'm wondering what specific obstacles other people are running up against, and how they're dealing with them. Thanks, Helen ...