Could This Be Your Business?
By Kelly Bagla, Esq.
Margaret Thatcher once famously said, “If you want anything said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.” The number of female founders and owners of businesses has increased dramatically in recent years, and the impact of businesses with women at the helm is significant in terms of revenues and hiring. A 2018 report by the SCORE Association, showed women-owned enterprises increased 45% – five times faster than the national average from 2007 to 2016, comprising 39% of America’s 28 million small businesses, employing nearly 9 million people and generating more than $1.6 trillion in revenue.
This article is dedicated to all the women who have thought of owning their own business but have yet to take the first step. Every successful woman started just like you – taking the first step. Below are some successful women who redefined power by building their own businesses against all odds.
SARA BLAKELY, FOUNDER SPANX
At 29 Blakely invested her entire life savings, $5,000, trying to come up with something flattering to wear under her white slacks. Six months later the one-time Disney World ride greeter and door to door fax machine salesperson found her new line of shaping underwear. Since then Blakely has taken Spanx from a one product wonder sold out of her apartment to a powerhouse with $250 million in annual revenues.
CAROL BARTZ, CEO YAHOO!
Carol Bartz is not an ivy league woman with an MBA, but she is a woman with an attitude and an aptitude for business and people. From humble beginnings, she overcame tremendous personal hardships and disadvantages to become one of the most valuable CEO’s in the nation.
DEBBIE FIELDS, FOUNDER MRS. FIELDS COOKIES
In 1977, Fields founded Mrs. Fields Bakeries, now one of the largest retailers of fresh cookies in the USA. Fields started be giving away fresh baked cookies on a busy street corner. Now, the company has expanded into 11 different countries and is worth about $65 million.
J.K. ROWLING, AUTHOR AND CREATOR OF HARRY POTTER BOOKS
J.K. Rolling is the creator of the ‘Harry Potter’ fantasy series, one of the most popular book and film franchises in history. Rowling was a struggling single mom on welfare barely getting by before her first book was published in 1997.
MYRA BRADWELL, FOUNDER THE CHICAGO LEGAL NEWS
In 1869, Myra Bradwell applied to the state bar, who rejected her. In 1870, she filed a lawsuit that went all the way to the United States Supreme Court. The justices ruled against her, upholding Illinois’ right to ban women from the state bar. In 1868, Bradwell stated the “Chicago Legal News.” In her weekly newspaper, she wrote about Illinois state court decisions and legal reforms. Bradwell’s paper was a huge success and became the most widely read legal newspaper in the country.
Everyone knows who Oprah Winfrey is and the most powerful advice she can give anyone who wants to start their own business is:
- Go with your gut instinct
- Focus on helping others
- Money should not be your priority
- Learn how to turn negatives to positives
- Nothing worth having comes easy
- Surround yourself with those you wish to be like
- It starts with the belief
- Be proud to be yourself
There are no limits on who can become a great entrepreneur. You don’t necessarily need a college degree, a lot of money or even business experience to start something that could become the next major success. However, you do need a strong plan and the drive to see it through. If you want more flexibility, to make more money, to have more control over your future, then it’s time you started your business.
I’m the CEO of GoLegalYourself.com where we provide legal tools for savvy entrepreneurs and I’m proud to provide a limited time offer of 40% discount on our Startup Essentials Package. Please use the code Startup40 at checkout.
For more information on how to legally protect your business please pick up a copy of my bestselling book: ‘Go Legal Yourself’ on Amazon or visit my website at www.golegalyourself.com
Disclaimer: This information is made available by Bagla Law Firm, APC for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, and not to provide specific legal advice. This information should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
