6 Brilliant Startup Tips That Will Help Women Entrepreneurs Succeed

There was a time when people considered even the idea of a woman running a business to be a joke. But these days, the number of women-owned businesses is actually growing twice as quickly as other startups.

Photo by Bench Accounting

More women than ever have taken control and are making the move to start and launch their own businesses. Sure, it is not easy for women to make their way in the startup world. But it is no longer deemed impossible. With great passion, the right mindset and durable support systems, women can go on to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.

Nonetheless, it is no secret that female entrepreneurs face some difficult challenges when launching their businesses. This is especially true when they do so in fields dominated by men. They struggle to find other women with whom to engage in business deals. And there is also a lack of female role models.

Furthermore, women who run their own startups also have to deal with the perceptions of others. Often their peers and friends consider their work to be a side project or a hobby instead of a serious business venture. This state of affairs can be incredibly frustrating and often discouraging for aspiring female entrepreneurs.

Here are some top startup tips that can help women overcome these challenges.

1. Find your passion

Bear in mind that you will have to devote long hours to your business. It is therefore a good idea for you to choose an industry that you are passionate about, and not one you simply like.

When you are passionate about something, your enthusiasm will show. And your belief in what you are doing and your energy will translate to your employees and customers, thereby sparking their enthusiasm about your business.

2. Align your business with your personal goals

Are you interested in building a full-time business? Or are you just looking for a way to work part-time in order to supplement the family income? What is your goal? Money or freedom? Or maybe both?

There is no rule in any book that says you have to work round the clock when you are running a business. It is up to you to launch a business or opt for a business style that is in accordance with your personal and business goals.

3. Keep your work and home life separate

One of the most common mistakes that female entrepreneurs end up making is not striking a balance between their home and work lives. They don’t realize that this imbalance reduces their chances of success.

Therefore, it is important for you to set aside time for your work and personal lives. Ensure that each is getting the attention it deserves. You need to establish standard office hours and make it a priority to stick to them unless there is an emergency.

Likewise, you should work just during office hours and not send emails or accept calls after hours. Your clients and customers are going to conform to your schedule only when you also follow it. This means that you shouldn’t contact anyone after hours if you want them to follow your rules.

You should also have a separate work area, whether it is at home or outside, and you should shut the door after your hours are over.

4. Learn to use technology

Technology has pervaded all aspects of our lives, and your business is no different. With the widespread use of technology, it has become increasingly difficult to keep home and work life separate. The enticement of an incoming message is enough to keep you distracted.

You might not be able to concentrate on what you are doing, such as spending time with a loved one or doing a project. Check your emails only at certain times of the day, or let them wait till morning. Use auto-responders for phone calls or let calls go to voicemail after hours.

5. Make great connections

Working alone can be difficult, so the connections and contacts you form are going to be invaluable because they can help you navigate the business world. But your contacts are valuable not merely for your business.  Through them, you can also form a support group where you can share your ideas, along with your frustrations and goals.

Networking is important in any industry, especially when working in real estate. In order to create a successful real estate business or any other business of a similar kind, you need to have some resourceful contacts.

6. Define your brand clearly

Always remember that it is essential for your brand to have a clear definition. What is your brand and what does it stand for?

Make sure that everything you do conforms to your brand, whether your logo design, color scheme, presentations, correspondence, company mission, culture, or customer service packaging. Don’t make the mistake of deviating from your brand. Your clients will remember you through your message and consistency.

These are some excellent startup tips that can be immensely useful for female entrepreneurs. Through this advice, women will be able to make their dreams of launching their businesses come true.

The post 6 Brilliant Startup Tips That Will Help Women Entrepreneurs Succeed appeared first on Growmap.

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6 Brilliant Startup Tips That Will Help Women Entrepreneurs Succeed

Business Travel Tips (For Women): 14 Tips From Experienced Travellers

Traveling all the time for business is incredibly rewarding but it can also be quite exhausting. With that in mind, here are 14 essential business travel tips for female travellers sure to save you time and preserve that much-needed energy!

1. If you need a bag you can check, choose lightweight fabric & all-directional wheels

Four directional wheels might just be the best thing to ever happen to luggage, making it incredibly easy to navigate through busy airports. A lightweight bag also means you can carry heavier items in the bag—or just enjoy having a lighter load.

2. Try not to check a bag at all

Yes, traveling light takes some getting used to, especially if you’re the type of woman who has a crazy beauty routine, but you’ll save hours upon hours of time just by skipping the bag check line every time you fly.

3. Keep some clothes in your carry on

Even if you do end up checking a bag keep a change of clothes and some personal care products in your carry on. You never know when there might be a delay.

4. Keep your travel sized stuff in a Ziploc bag

You’re probably going to be asked to take all this stuff out of your bag at some point when going through customs and even if you aren’t a Ziploc bag is a good way to make sure your shampoo doesn’t leak all over everything.

5. Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane

Bringing more than one pair of shoes? Pick the one that weighs the most and takes up the most space, then wear those while you’re traveling. They weigh your luggage but they aren’t going to weigh your shoes.

6. Stick with one airline

Pretty much every airline has a rewards program or credit card of some sort. If you stick with the same airline every time you’ll be able to earn free flights and all kinds of other fantastic perks.

7. Opt for leggings

Going on a long flight? Got some time in between getting off the plane and going to your meeting? A pair of leggings will be far more comfortable than pants and is still presentable enough to wear in public, especially if you’re wearing a long shirt to cover them. Of course, this only works if you’ll have time to change before your first business meeting.

8. Pack color coordinated clothes

You should be able to mix and match your tops, pants, skirts and accessories to suit your mood, especially if you’re going on a long trip.

9. Bring an eye mask and ear plugs

Most hotels are pretty quiet most of the time but you don’t actually know how bright or loud it’s going to be until you’re already staying there. Keep a pair of earplugs and an eye mask with you on every trip so you can get to sleep easily.

10. Bring your own snacks

Did you know that you’re actually allowed to bring your own snacks on the plane? So long as they’re kept in a sealed container while you’re going through the airport you’ll be fine—and your own snacks will always be healthier and cheaper than anything you’ll find at or near the airport.

11. Invest in a lightweight but sturdy mini-umbrella

Frankly you should have one of these whether you travel often or not, but it’s even more important when you’re traveling. There is simply no way to know for sure what kind of weather you’ll find when you get off the plane and being small, they take up next to no space!

12. Buy a high quality hair dryer for the road

Make sure your hair dryer is lightweight, designed for travel, and dual voltage so you can use it in Europe as well as in North America. Hotel hair dryers aren’t always the greatest and you don’t want to be showing up at a meeting looking anything less than your best.

13. Invest in good noise cancelling headphones

A good pair of noise cancelling headphones will completely change your life. Now you will no longer have to hear the child crying in the row behind you or the couple chatting loudly in the row in front of you. Be willing to spend at least $ 80 on a good pair.

14. Bring a separate, sealable bag for dirty clothes

Keeping your clean clothes and your dirty ones in the same bag is a bad idea. Not only does it make it easy for you to forget what you’ve already worn, it can also stink up your clean clothes if your dirty ones are really sweaty. Buy a small cloth bag which is easy to fold into your carry-on when not in use. Look for one with a sturdy clasp or zipper to keep it closed even when the bag is getting knocked around.

There you have it, 14 tips that combine to make your business travel experience a breeze. We’d love to hear your travel tips as well!

The post Business Travel Tips (For Women): 14 Tips From Experienced Travellers appeared first on Blogtrepreneur — For Busy Entrepreneurs.

Blogtrepreneur – For Busy Entrepreneurs

Business Travel Tips (For Women): 14 Tips From Experienced Travellers