My mission to you is to create an empowering environment to help you turn your idea into a viable business, be inspired, and think positive. I started this website to help you bypass negativity, overcome doubt and discouragement. There is nothing easy about starting or owning a business. I will be honest with you. It takes a lot of belief, determination, time and money to keep going. Will you have what it takes?

After getting a BA from City University of New York, Queens College (English major, business minor), working in corporate America for two years, endless conversations about investing and business ownership with my co-worker Colette and reading Robert Kiyosaki’s, Cashflow Quadrant, I had an epiphany: I was born to be a business owner.

First, I considered buying a franchise. While working with a franchise broker, I explored Molly Maids, Money Mailer, Budget Blinds, Edible Arrangements, UPS store, Quiznos, Subway, and others. One year of research later, I had another epiphany: I don’t want to promote someone else’s business idea – I want to come up with my own. While thinking about it, I took business classes and gained sales experience.

I took a sixteen-week business workshop class through Wibo.org. While keeping my day job, I started a part time business. I read about Beijo Bags in Working Mother magazine. I bought $2500 worth of bags, while my husband screamed, “What’s the guarantee you will make that money back?!”

I sold the bags through home and office parties, trade-shows, and hair salons. I was not getting too many repeat customers and after doing my marketing research, I found there were more complaints then compliments. It was not my product to change, so I stopped selling them.

Then I got my eyes on Lia Sophia Jewelry. I loved the jewelry and sold it in the same manner as Beijo Bags. The jewelry sold well and I got many repeat customers. I even won two awards for having $1000 home shows. (Average sales were $550).

While selling bags and jewelry there were, as there are wont to be, people who were unsatisfied with the product and wanted to return it. Sometimes they returned it after using it. It was difficult to re-sell used items while offering new items during home shows. That’s when eBay came to the rescue. I always read about people making money on eBay and my husband constantly talked about it. I had to try it. I sold all the returned bags and jewelry. I also organized my house and sold much of my junk. The site was another tool that taught me selling and marketing skills. I learned the importance of providing superb customer service, accurate product description, fair pricing and money management. However, I was not happy. I still wanted to create something of my own.

I never stopped thinking about my business idea and sharing my aspirations with people. I told my siblings, parents, in laws, husband, cousins, friends, co-workers and colleagues. 98% of the people were discouraging. Here are some of the comments I got:

• My mother-in-law: “You can’t own a business, you are a woman, your husband should start a business, he is the pharmacist.”

• My friend: “You shouldn’t invest in real estate, people don’t pay rent and break your property.”

• My husband: “You should just work and provide health benefits for the family and I will worry about starting a business.”

• My siblings: “You need money to make money. Do you know how hard it is? Why would you want to do that when you already have a job?”

While I was hurt, I kept going. I was determined. “I will find that business idea and be on Oprah one day,” I kept telling myself. I religiously read magazines and books relating to entrepreneurship. I spent all my spare time online researching start-up ideas. I cold-called and spoke to business owners.

The more I researched, the more questions I had. I was going through what I like to call the “how” phase: How do I start a business? How do I make money pursuing my passion? How do I know what I am passionate about? How do I make it to the top? How do I create a buzz? How do I network? How do I manage business finances? How and where do I get money to invest? How do I let people know that my business and I exist?

Through my research, I was reassured that if there is a passion there is a solution. I also learned how important it is to be in a positive environment in order to accomplish your goals.

I had, yes, another epiphany: I will start a business that brings women together in a positive and encouraging environment to help turn their ideas into dollars, network and fulfill themselves. I created this website.

Come on with me! We will discuss and answer all the “how” questions I mentioned earlier and everything else relating to starting and running a business. I would love to see you jump in with comments, send me your questions or share your story. Join my networking events and contact me to contribute your expertise. 

Let us help each other stay positive and reach for our dream of business ownership.

Filed under: Business Solutions