EITNB: Why do what you do?

I mentioned briefly that last weekend I put together a surprise party for my mom. It was last minuet. And in general things came together oh so well!  Friends and family were constantly offering to help out, or to bring food/drinks, and they were wonderfully appreciated (I rarely accepted because I felt so uncomfortable asking, or maybe it was my awful need to control everything!). But there was more than the fair share of bad moments as well. 

 I also put together a project for her birthday, 50 years 50 memories. The finished product was a completion of 3 months of work, and hundreds of emails.

These two projects taught me so much about who I wanted to be, and more importantly what I wanted to do with my life! I had to deal with all sorts of people, from people who did what they said, people who I had to track down and pester, people who were so willing to share, and those who did the bare minimum. I had to deal with some total jerks, and some very lovely people, and it made me really want to be one of those lovely people.

Asking people to share a memory, was a favor, and I really appreciated every single person taking the time to share with me, and my mom. But I realized that people were will to take time to do these things, because of who my mom is, and the positive influence she has had on so many people. I want to be the sort of person who people are willing to write notes to years after.

This photo from Nicole's instagram was posted at the exact moment I needed to hear it (she has a tendency to do that to me!). I was down, I was aggravated with all the rude people, and I just wanted to quit. Everything. Just give up and throw in the towel. And then I saw this.

I know that I can make a difference in this world, maybe not the whole world, but in some peoples world. I can help bring back consideration, and celebration of events, large and small, and of course help spread little moments of thanks.

You will never be successful, in the right, fulfilling way, if you start a business just to make money. If you start a business to make a difference, and have a mission, a purpose, a reason, your successes will fill more than you just your bank account.

Nicole's photo reminded me what I was doing, and more importantly why I have been so determined to start my own company! Nothing comes easy, there are long hours, constant internal battles, questioning yourself, and your vision, but knowing you are working towards something that will matter, that will make a difference, always tends to make that cup of coffee at 8pm worth it! To make someones day a little bit better, through celebration, or appreciation, that is why I do what I do!

Tell me, why do you want to start a business? What do you want to make a difference in?

EITNB: Heather from Sweet Tea Monograms

Happy Monday! This past weekend I went home, and it was wonderful! There is nothing that can quite compare to sleeping in your bed, having home cooked meals, and being in the town you are most familiar with. Even though at the end of high school I was ready to get out, I finally appreciate where I am from and love weekends at home.

I am so ex to start this week off by introducing Heather, from Sweet Tea Monograms!

I started following Heather on Tumblr a good while back on Tumblr, and have watched her successfully launch STM! Her dedication to her brand, and hard work are inspiring to me every day and I am so excited she is here to share today!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself ...

I was born and raised in Richmond, VA and graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Communication and Marketing. At the time of graduation, I never would have guessed that 3 years later I would be moving to Charleston, SC to start my own monogram and embroidery company. It was a huge leap of faith, leaving a great job and wonderful friends & family in Virginia, but so far I haven’t had any regrets!

2. Tell us about your company ...

I’ve always loved anything and everything monogrammed so creating my very own monogram company is absolutely a dream come true! I have a very preppy, nautical, and Southern style which I’ve tried my best to incorporate into the company. When I was coming up with a name, I wanted it to be something that always made people happy and was like a symbol of Southern hospitality. I immediately came up with a vision in my mind of a mason jar filled with ice-cold sweet tea on a hot summer day- and that’s how Sweet Tea Monograms got its name! And thanks to the amazing artist, Amanda Bee, the logo for my company also conveys this “Southern, preppy, colorful” kind of style that I want my company to represent.

3. When starting your company, what did you find the most helpful?

I read some articles, a book here and there, but honestly the most important resource along the way has been my parents. My dad has his own business, so he is very knowledgeable when it comes to the business and financial side of things. My mom is very creative and artistic, so I always love getting her options and bouncing ideas back and forth when I’m brainstorming new designs or products.

Luckily my parents are also there for support, which has been the most important thing for me. When you’re starting your own company, there are so many things that can happen that you could have never dreamed about so I it is crucial to have some kind of support system that will be there for you when all of these crazy twists and turns come up. My parents are also very practical, so while I can dream about all these wonderful ideas I have for my company, they make sure I am being realistic and staying within my means.

4. How do you spend your day? What is a normal day/schedule for you?

My “normal” schedule seems to change every single day! There are some days that I’ll wake up and get right to work- start up my embroidery machine early and don’t stop until dinner time or later (before Christmas, this was the usual… I’d take a quick break for lunch but didn’t have time for much else because I had a crazy amount of orders coming through and was just learning how to manage my time.)

Now, I typically try and run errands or work out in mornings so I can spend the rest of the afternoon and evening in my studio. Once I start up my machine, the hours seem to fly by so it’s important to get everything done before hand.

After dinner, I work on all of the other dynamics of my company. I place product orders, prep orders for the next day, pack up all my finished products to be shipped out, answer emails, update listings, and organize my stock room… there’s always something to do!

I think one of the best things about being your own boss is that you also can create your own schedule. My desire to be successful keeps me going and working hard every single day, but I can also manage my time and spend it how I want to spend it!

5. What is the best advice you have received/what is the best advice you can give to someone who wants to start their own company?

I think the quote- “find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” sums it up best. If you are passionate about what you do, it becomes a part of you. It is certainly scary and definitely not easy to start your own company, but I am really starting to see how it all pays off.

6. Do you have any employees? If yes, what has worked best for you when hiring them?  If you don’t, do you outsource any aspects of your business?

Right now, Sweet Tea Monograms is a one-woman operation (other than the consulting from my parents), which I think is the biggest pro and at the same time the biggest con of my company.

I love having my hand in every little detail, but sometimes I need to just get things done so I can spend my time wisely and productively. There are only so many things I can do in a day, so I definitely see myself hiring someone in the future to help me with some of the extra tasks that really cut into my monogramming time.

7. What are your goals for your company?

One day I would love to have an actual storefront and a boutique where I can offer more than just monograms. I have a lot of ideas for the future but I know that for right now I need to start out small so I have room to grow!

8. How do you stay focused/motivated during the day?

Like I mentioned, my own desire for success for myself to make a living as well as success for my business to grow is enough to keep me motivated since I can see actual results and outcomes. Some days are harder than others to keep focused, but if I’m not as productive as I should be one day- I know I’ll pay for it the next (usually this means working later at night and on the weekends!)

9. What are three things on your desk or do you always have with you?
   • My iPhone- so I can easily check all my social media accounts and stay connected throughout the day!
   • Business cards- because you never know when you’ll have the opportunity to meet someone you want to stay connected with- plus it’s a great, easy way to promote the business!
   • Colorful pens- I make notes on all the orders that come through so I can easily quickly see the important info and make lists for myself throughout the day, so of course color makes everything better!
10. Any other things you want to share about yourself, starting your own company, any advice, resources etc? Pinterest has some great motivation and I surprisingly rely on it often when I just need that little extra boost. Here are two of my favorites pins that any fellow entrepreneur can relate to. Sometimes no matter what you do or how hard you try, there will always be someone that doesn’t like what you do or the way you do it. Don’t let this one person bring you down and blind you to all of the good that is out there! Just be the best version of you! I have this (below) framed next to my bed so it is the very first thing I see when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I see before I go to bed. This basically sums up how I try to live each and every day.

I want to thank Heather so much for sharing today! I absolutely love watching Sweet Tea Monograms grow and am truly inspired by her! These are my three favorite STM items, wouldn't they be just the best Valentine presents?

(1, 2, 3)

If you want to be featured on Entrepreneurship is the New Black, or want to hear from one of your favorite small business, let me know! kgillett8 (at) gmail.com

EITNB: Emily from Joey's Sweet Treats

Happy Tuesday everyone! I know these post are suppose to come on Mondays, but I learned a huge lesson in preparedness this weekend! Things happen! And most of the time they are not things you are prepared for. Getting sick isn't something you can put on your calendar, or push off until you are less busy! This isn't a new lesson, but I am now looking at it with a new perspective.

Being not only on top of things, but getting ahead, is something I need to work on! I need to better prepare for things that I can't always see coming. They always say the best teacher is experience, and I can very much attest to that today!

Today I am excited to introduce you to Emily from Joey's Sweet Treats! I came across Joey's Sweet Treats on Twitter and was hooked! Even though I could go on and on about the concept and the adorable brand, I will Emily do that for us.

  Tell us a bit about yourself:

My name is Emily Chess and my mother, Marybeth Chess, and I are the founders of Joey’s Sweet Treats. I was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia where our company is based and now live in Charleston, South Carolina. My mother is a Chicago native, but has lived in Marietta for over 20 years now. As one of six children in our family (all born within a ten-year span), my life has always been very eventful to say the least! I, along with the majority of my siblings, am a University of Georgia graduate with a degree in Marketing which has aided me in handling the business side of Joey’s. My mother is the baker extraordinaire &  creative genius behind all of our concoctions. We are an excellent team!

 Tell us about your company:

My mother has always been a fabulous in the kitchen and after years of encouragement from family & friends to transform this passion into a business, we made it happen in early 2012 with Joey’s Sweet Treats. My mother inherited her love of baking from her own mother, Joey Bireley, from whom the company got its name. At this moment, we sell a variety of gourmet cookies- each uniquely named for a family member. I’d love for you to visit our site at www.joeyssweettreats.com to learn more!

When starting your company, what did you find the most helpful? 

We were lucky enough to have a handful of brilliant & talented friends (my father included!) that have a multitude of business & startup experience willing to walk us through the process and offer their advice each step of the way. I find myself thinking very frequently about how much I hope they realize how appreciated they actually were!

What is the best advice you can give to someone who wants to start their own company?

Patience is key! Progress with most any new business is likely going to be a gradual climb. I’ve found that it has been most beneficial to put in the time building a strong brand & foundation to grow upon, so patience has totally paid off in our case!

     What are your goals for your company?

After being primarily web based thus far, we are just beginning to break into the retail market with a few outlets in Charleston. We plan to continue to grow to more cities & markets throughout the year. Also included in the 2013 plans is to expand upon our product offering. A cookie flavor for each child in our family is already in the works, along with the addition of my mother’s legendary Sour Cream Coffee Cake- an old family recipe that is seriously amazing.

What are three things on your desk?

I’m a huge fan of Le Pen and typically have at least five different color pens on my desk at all times. I love having a candle lit- my favorite at the moment was a Christmas gift from a friend, Voluspa’s Santiago Huckleberry. Last but not least & a bit cliché, my iPhone never seems to be far away.

Coffee or tea?

Yes and yes! Coffee to start the day & tea in the afternoon- a Chai Tea Misto is my favorite.

Paper or electronics?

While I know electronic tends to be more efficient, I always favor paper. I love anything handwritten- whether it be a to-do list, a calendar, or a thank you note. There’s nothing better than a surprise snail mail letter from a friend! We’ve incorporated this love into all of our gift options at Joey’s- whenever you have the option to include a gift message that note will come handwritten to its recipient as a more personal touch.

Sweet or salty?

Sweet! Obviously I’m going to have to biased on this one and tell you our Katharine’s Cookie (a carrot cake cookie) is my favorite!

Beach or mountains?

Always the beach. I’ve grown up going to St. Simon’s lsland in Georgia & it will always remain one of my favorite places! Anytime she’s not in the kitchen, you’ll most likely find my mother on our porch is St. Simon’s as well.

Any other things you want to share about yourself, starting your own company, any advice, resources etc?

While starting your own business can seem daunting, it’s also incredibly fun & rewarding. One of my favorite quotes comes from author Margaret Shepard, “Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.” Joey’s Sweet Treats was a leap of faith & we’ve found ourselves so pleasantly surprised & enjoying each and every day. Perhaps it’s time for you to take your own leap of faith?!

Thank you so much Emily for sharing with us! I think this was a huge sign that I, and others out there, need to take that leap of faith!

Say "hi" over on Twitter, and check out there website. Personally, I think these would be the perfect Valentine gift for friends and family around the country!

EITNB: Creating a productive workspace

If you are anything like me, you do your best work sitting at a desk. An organized, well lit, creative space that is dedicated to getting stuff done!

As much as I wish I had a home office, or a dedicated place in the house that I could consider an "office," I don't yet. Heck, I don't even have a desk yet! 

Last week I talked about my dream kitchen, and that is so far out from where my life is these days, but an effective work space, that is something I can do in the upcoming days!

If I am sitting at a desk, table, anything where my computer is not on my lap, I do much better. Since I dont have a desk right now, and my kitchen table is a bit too close to the fridge and couch, I am outsourcing. I don't love Starbucks, at all, so I have been spending far too much time at a local wine/coffee bar. It provides amazing (marble or wood) tables, nice music, an older crowd (no screaming kids or people who set up actual offices), and great food and drinks. I get so much done there. 

Starbucks has a reputation for being a great place to work at, and while I think that is true, I have encountered far too many people who seem to be working out of there. One time while I was working there, there was a man who had a table for six to himself, held meetings, and loud conference calls. 

If you don't have the ability to have your own workspace, you can definitely find someplace that will work for you, but be respectful of other people there too! 

Only use one computer, and if you can, one outlet, pick a small table, don't make business calls, use headphones when watching a video or listening to music, and be nice! Don't glare at people who come to chat or catch up, unless you're at a library! 

While this has been working great for me, I have been spending a lot of time at Ikea, The Container Store, and Bed Bath and Beyond, working on making my current space as useful as possible. 

And most of the time I end up like this anyways

(images via)

EITNB: Customer Service

Well, this may just be the happiest of Mondays of all! I don't know about you, but getting this extra day off came at just the perfect time. I have been struggling with getting back in the swing of things after the holidays, as well as finding a good schedule/balance for a work and after work life. 

Since today is not a real Monday, I thought I would take this opportunity to have today's EITNB talk about something I think is a big deal in todays world, customer service.

I have talked about this a bit before, but to me, it is such a big deal! I know the economy is rough, and I know not every company has the ability to adopt Nordstrom's customer service/return policy (did you hear about the man who returned a tire?), but that does not mean that you should have no customer service policy.

Being nice, and working to make the customer happy, does not cost anything. With social media how it is today, people are going to talk, tweet, blog, instagram, etc. and reputation your will be damaged. And with so many companies out there today, people will go someplace else, especially when you own a small business.

I recently tried to deal with the people at Chic CEO, and received ONE email response to my many attempts at trying to get in touch with them. And the one short email I did receive  looked like a textbook, auto response. This company is focused on helping people who want to run their own company, and yet their customer service and example is awful. The majority of encounters I have had with small business owners has been nothing short of wonderful, and so this has really stood out.

One of the reasons I have really been wanting to start my own company is because I want to work with people and bring the kind of happiness and joy that I enjoy bringing to my family and friends. I have noticed that the little things are really disappearing  people don't send as much mail, there are less and less care packages being sent, less thought going into perserving relationships and I think that is sad. I know that I can't change the world, but I can help change the world of my friends, family, and the people I one day hope to work with. 

I think while you are in the "development/creative" process, it is extremely important to deiced what you want your product to do, what do you want to give people, what you want to fill your life with. 

I work in a corporate job, and while I beyond thankful that I have this opportunity to work for a great company, have job security, and a steady pay check, what we do, is not what I want to fill my life with. 

You can quote me on this, and I hope I am right, but I believe that the companies that will be successful, and will stick around, will be the companies that show appreciation  focus on the little things, and make the customer happy. 

EITNB: Support Systems

(i am 99% sure that I know these girls in the above photo and this photo is at my beach, but I can be positive)

I am pretty introverted. I enjoy staying in, I enjoy spending time alone, working on projects, and being an all around homebody. While it is my default mood, I also love traveling, having adventures, and getting together with girlfriends. I enjoy those social things in small doses,  I enjoy having a weekend away once in awhile, and spending a few hours out doing things, but I definitely need time at home to re-charge.

I would say I have a great support system for every day life. My parents are wonderful, Andrew is always supportive and encourage, and my friends, while spread out these days, are fantastic as well. I can talk to them all about anything, but they don't always understand parts of my life, and so I am really craving friends around town, and people who can help me get to the next step in life. 

I can say that my current day job is in no way fulfilling, and at the end of the I am spent. All I really want to do is go home, curl up on the couch and watch Netflix with a glass of wine. But that is in no way productive to me, or to my future. I know I want to change my life, but being so worn out and drained a the end of the day is taking its toll on my mood and my well being.

Over the past few months I have noticed how much I am craving a social outlet, and getting together with other ladies who have similar goals and having a support system. Over the past few months I have been trying to put myself more into that world and open myself up more. I have gone to LevoLocal events, and met some amazing women, I have reached out more to people who I admire, I have met with people in hopes to get more guidance, and it has mostly been great. I have met with some people I didn't necessarily click with, and some I have.

While LocalLevo has been a great starting point I want to take it further. Danielle and I have toyed with the idea of creating a blogger/entrepreneurs support group that would bring people like us, who want to break into small business ownership, and hopefully those who are a bit more established. It seems like such a big scary world out there, and there are so many options and things to do, that just knowing where to start has been the worst thing for me. I know there are other people out there who feel like they are going down this path alone, and thats no fun. 

If anyone out there is interested in joining or even wants to chat, email me kgillett8 @ gmail(dot)com. I would love to help bring people together!

EITNB: Branding

Branding is huge these days and is implied to everything, blogs, business and personas. As I attempt to create my own personal and business brand there are a few people/companies that really stand out to me. I admire these companies for their ability to make their brand visible through every aspect and to communicate the "lifestyle" they are trying to create through their company.

I am currently working on creating a brand for myself and company and it is much harder than I thought! I want to pick the right colors, right font, right logo, etc etc. I want consistency and to be able to clearly convey the message I want to share, I just need to figure out exactly what that message is.

So for now I am gaining inspiration around the web, from blogs, to pinterest, to other companies who do what I want to do so well.

(via)

Kiel James Patrick & Sarah Vickers. When you see the photos Sarah and Kiel post, who doesn't want to jump into their pictures New England life? To me their brand is all about good old fashion American traditions and a classic lifestyle. Their company is focused around bringing american products back, as well as promoting classic preppy pieces. They are able to really communicate these ideas through every part of social media they touch. If I could ever portray my brand idea half as clearly as they do, I would be happy.

(via)

Tuckernuck. Tuckernuck is right up there with KJP in creating a company and brand that represents the classic, east coast preppy lifestyle. Everything they post makes me want to pack my bags and move east, as well as purchase everything they offer. They are able to clearly communicate their brand of fun, preppy, and classic style that they want to represent.

(via)

Ashley Brooke Design. To me, ABD's brand is all about consistency. Through her IG and blog, she invites readers into her beautiful and festive world. All of her images are easily identifiable as hers as well as tie into the products she offers. I look to her as insperation for creating consistancy in my own brand.

What brands inspire you? Are there any good books/sites/pinterest that you look to?

EITNB: Passion

I think each generation has their struggles. While we are dealing with both wars and an economic struggle/depression/recession, I don't think that is what will define our generation at the end of the day, at least not for women. 

We seem to be the generation who can have it all, do what ever we want, but also still has the guilt of trying to please everyone else. We are constantly told that we can do whatever we want, we can beat the guys, we can run the world, and if we don't we aren't living up to our potential. And everyone has their two cents about what you are doing, how you should do it better, and why they know best.

Personally I feel like I am being pulled in 10 different directions at all time. In the same conversation my dad can tell me that I need to do what makes me happy, figure out what I love and go after it, but that I also need to do x, y, and z to be successful. I could not be more confused in life. 

I think our generation of women believes our struggle is trying to have it all and trying to climb the corporate ladder, but really, I think our struggle is trying to just figure out what we want. There are so many website, groups, blogs popping up about women helping women, and I think that is great! But they are all so focused on women helping women climb the corporate ladder and "being one of the boys." I think the idea is great but it gets a little skewed. 

I think that this generation needs to learn to be supportive of each other no matter what the other person wants to be. Having it all is relative. I don't want to "have it all" because I dont want it "all." I dont need to be the major breadwinner, the perfect mom, run marathons, make every meal, be a size zero, volunteer, and go out and have a fabulous social life. I dont want all of that, but yes I do want some of it. And what I choose to have, what I make a priority, I will love and I will make work and that will be my "all."

I don't need to have it all right now, I don't enjoying going out and ragging every weekend, it is exhausting and I don't even have fun. I like going out once in a while, but I'd rather make a nice dinner, or go out to a wine bar or tapas with a couple of friends. I have learned that I am not the norm, but I am okay with that. I am okay with who I am and have learned that doing what I want will make me 100 times more happy then doing what everyone else thinks someone my age should be doing. 

Not everyone lives the way I live, or wants the life that I want, but that is okay. I am not going to try to convert them to see the world the way I see it because everyone has their own version of happiness. 

The girl who wants to become CEO of the next Fortune 500 company, or heck start the next Fortune 500 company is no better, nor happier then the one who wants to start her own small business, or be a mom when the time comes. My hope for this generation is that we are able to just be supportive of each other. This generation is full of ambitious  creative, dedicated hard working women, who just want to be happy and find their passion.

I had a couple of weeks where all I felt was discouraged, I had no desire to do anything besides get through the day and try to sort things out. And then last week, something clicked, I had a burst of inspiration and desire to work hard and move forward. I cant say what changed, all I know is I am glad it did. 

EITNB: Meet Sarah

I am so excited to introduce you to Sarah of On A Good Note, and writer for Sweet Lemon Magazine blog, in a very delayed version of Entrepreneurship is The New Black. It was actually this post written by Sarah that inspired me to start this series, I realized how many of us small business/entrepreneurs are out there and I would love to create a space that could highlight what so many of us are doing, or strive to do.

Sarah is a native Hoosier and proud DePauw University alum. She graduated with an English degree in 2011 and launched her stationery shop a few months later in October. The shop features fun and fresh designs and has grown to include items ranging from mugs, magnets, iPhone cases, and other gift items.

Sarah grew up with two self-employed parents (they run their own screenprinting business), has always been a writer and adored fine stationery, so the path to owning her own stationery company seems like it was where she was meant to go! So without anymore (and there has been many) delays, meet Sarah...

How did you come up with the idea for On A Good Note?I have always been a writer (I was actually an English Writing major) and I think liking stationery goes with the territory. My background is heavy in communications and journalism so I had an interest in learning more about graphic design. I purchased the Adobe Suite while I was still in school and started playing around in Illustrator. After a while I designed some note cards that were inspired by my friends. We started writing letters to each other a lot more since graduating and everyone is spread out. Initially I launched an Etsy shop to have something to do while looking for a job, but this past June I decided to focus on it full-time.

How do you get out of a creative rut? I like to spend some time checking out examples of really great design, usually through Etsy. This happens most often when I am working on a custom design project for someone, especially when the customer doesn’t always have a clear idea of what they want. Sometimes I’ll also put down what I am doing and walk away. Focusing on something else for a while is often helpful.

(TwentySomethingIndy.com - a magazine Sarah runs)

What is the best/worst part of running your own company?The best is schedule flexibility. I am much more productive at night, so I am glued to my laptop in the evening, and take it slow in the mornings. It is nice to be able to arrange meetings and still do things important to me. The worst would be the isolation. A lot of twenty-something’s have social interaction through their co-workers or work events. I didn’t work anywhere before On A Good Note, so it has been really challenging to meet people.

How did you go about learning all the ins and outs of starting your own company?
My dad offers advice when I seek it but he tries to keep his distance, and not get overly involved. I’ve really enjoyed connecting with other female entrepreneurs, both virtually and in person. Young Female Entrepreneurs has fun Twitter chats, weekly interviews, and a great blog. Locally I joined a group called Indy Alpha Chicks, I m the youngest one but it’s a great group of women who are all really supportive of each other’s ventures. And of course I read articles form online sites such as Inc. Entrepreneur and The YEC. A few weeks ago I wrote a post for Sweet Lemon Magazines Blog, on some great books I’ve used, you can check it out here.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?“You have to figure out what you can do every day that is going to make you money. It is easy to get wrapped up in the little tasks like cleaning your desk or answering emails. Those are necessary but they can’t eat your whole day if they are not going to get you anywhere.” I have heard versions of this from both my dad and a Barbara Corcoran (of Shark Tank) interview. I admit it is still difficult to follow through on this.

What’s next for you and your company?I’ve just started venturing into doing gifts and craft shows. I’d like to pursue tat a little more, which gives me a good excuse to travel!

I want to thank Sarah for all this great insight, and all her patience.

Check her out on Twitter//Facebook//Instagram (@seeutsler)//Pinterest

Email (sara(at)onagoodnote(dot)com, and of course over at On A Good Note.

EITNB: Resources

One of the most important parts of any adventure is the resources you have to help you along the way. It is no different when starting your own company. I am faced with so many question every day, from which site is best for web hosting to where do I file for an LLC, even where to print business cards! 

Even with the best laid plans, there are always snags in the road, and you need somepalce to go ask a question, or even just have someone say "you can do it!!" 

(image via)

I am sure you have all heard of Levo League by now, and I would suggest getting familiar with them if you haven't yet. Even if you aren't wanting to start your own company, or even looking to changes jobs anytime in the near future, I would recommend familiarizing yourself with them! 

I follow their twitter and it is the perfect summary for me, I don't have to spend extra time navigating the site for the newest article, and I never forget an office hours. They are constantly updating their feed, along with summaries so I know what I am getting into before I click through.

Their site is set up so that it is extremely easy to find all the articles about a certinain question or topic you may have. As well as job postings, comments, upcoming office hours, and recapped office hours.

Also LocalLevo may just be the best thing I have encountered in a while. It is such a great platform for connecting women in your city, it gives the company a face and a much more personalized feeling. Without some of the women I have met with, I don't think I would have gone ahead with this adventure!

Find them here Website // Twitter // Facebook //Instagram // Pinterst 

Chic CEO is another great resource I have found. They focus solely on women who have started/want to start their own company. They are similar to Levo in that they post articles, have interviews with successful women,  and give women a platform to connect. In addition they offer profiles of entrepreneurs  who they are, what they do, their story, etc. I really enjoy looking through these profiles for ideas and inspiration.  They have resources for buying a franchisse, inventing products, pattens, as well as links to other resources that will be even more helpful and tailor to each need.  They also run Chic Sirens, a sort of boot camp for starting out.

Check them out here Website // Twitter // Facebook

Ladies Who Launch is very similar to Chic CEO, great articles, great profiles, and great inspiration.

Even though all of these sites seem similar, they all offer different content and a different view point, so I am rarely seeing repeat information. LWL offeres a similar service to LocalLevo, they have "chapters" in a couple of cities around the country and host events such as workshops and talks. It is a bit more structured than LocalLevo, and I like both, so that is why I use them both. 

Their website is here.

I also regularly check The Everygirl, which may not be focused on business as much as the first three, but I do love their career feature, as well as the rest of their content. 

Do you have any great resources, or websites you check regularly? I am also looking for new sites. 

Entrepreneurship is the New Black

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Sometimes when I am scrolling though Intsagram, my Google reader, twitter, etc. I feel a mix of motivation and discouragement. Everyone I follow is extremely inspirational, creative, and encouraging, but at the same time I feel that so far behind and not as good. After a couple of minuets I remember that it is because I surround myself with the kind of people who will make me work harder to accomplish the kind of success I want. 

I am using this blog as a way to not only keep myself motivated, but as a way to stay accountable. If I say I am going to do something to someone, or even just put it in my planner, I feel much more accountable than if I don’t. I hope that my story may serve as a sense of inspiration for someone else who has a goal and that it is the kick in the pants they need. So, all that said, I am starting a new series on here, every Monday I will write something about entrepreneurship, highlight a small business I admire, talk about an article, update what I am doing, or some thing that I failed at.  Because after all entrepreneurship is the new black.