Author Archive for Felicia Joy

Top 10 Takeaways from the Show: Women Entrepreneurs & the Next Generation

Published
by
Felicia Joy
on September 1, 2009
in Ms. CEO Blog
. 0 Comments

I love all episodes of The Ms. CEO Show but my favorite shows are ones like today when I get to talk to women entrepreneurs who are on the front lines of business, making it happen for themselves, their employees, their families, their communities and, ultimately, our economy, everyday.

As the fastest growing segment of the small business economy, women are a major part of the world’s economic sustainability equation.  The numbers speak for themselves: There are 10.1 million firms owned by women entrepreneurs in America that employ 13 million people and generate nearly $2,000,000,000,000 (yes, trillion—I wanted you to see all those zeroes!) in sales each year.  That’s a lot of wealth, jobs, and economic activity.  But, most importantly, that’s a lot of hope for the future and promise for the community—why?  Because research shows that women entrepreneurs give to the community, special causes, and non-profit organizations at  very high levels as—and once—they reach personal economic stability.  So, the rising tide of a successful woman-owned business is one that raises many, many ships along with it.

Important work is being done to boost the success and value of today’s woman owned business enterprises; in addition, a few organizations—and great parents—are laying the foundation for tomorrow’s women entrepreneurs by fostering business-mindedness in young girls and teenagers.  We talked to two of these organizations on today’s show.  We also got a heart-warming note from a dad on this topic:

“I have a real estate investing business where I buy and hold single family homes and small apartment buildings.  I also have a seminar business where I train other professionals with demanding day jobs to do the same.

My oldest daughter is aged 14.  For the last two years I have been taking her on appointments to see houses and apartment buildings before I buy them, and on the appointments when I rent them.  She was every excited last November when I let her decide which house we would add as our next rental at that time.

She has gone through all of my seminar material and now wants to start her own rental real estate business while she’s in high school, which she started yesterday.”

-D. Fassett

Our guests on today’s show were:

  • Nell Merlino, founder, president and CEO of Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources for women to grow their micro businesses into million dollar enterprises.
  • Rosana Santos, founder and CEO of Big Chef, a producer of health-conscious appetizers (and a woman whose business surpassed the million dollar mark after she joined the Make Mine a Million $ Business Initiative). 
  • Kimberly Martinez, founder and CEO of Bonitas International, which produces “functional jewelry” for ID badges (and also a woman whose business surpassed the million dollar mark after she joined the Make Mine a Million $ Business Initiative).
  • Marcia Brumit Kropf, COO of Girls, Inc., the non-profit dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold.  Girls Inc. has partnered with Goldman Sachs to create a cool corporate entrepreneurship camp for teen girls.
  •  Joline Godfrey, CEO of Independent Means, author of the book - Raising Financially Fit Kids, and the founder of Camp $tart Up and SummerStock; these are programs for teen girls that she has been running since 1992.

So, the Top 10 Takeaways from today’s guests on building your company to a million dollars or more in revenue, and encouraging the next generation of women entrepreneurs are:

  1. Get friendly with your financials.  Building a major company is going to require knowing the numbers and the story they tell about the health of your business, and perhaps areas that need improvement.  Understand this, embrace this, learn the numbers—and see your business soar.
  2. Learn to delegate.  As Nell Merlino said—and I totally love this, lol!—yes, you can have it all as long as you don’t do it all!  Get a great team, empower them to work, and focus your energy on what you do best, while your team does the same.  The result will be nothing less than magic—and a million dollar business if that’s what you’re striving for!
  3. Multi-tasking is a thief.  That’s right, this idea of multi-tasking is a fallacy.  Our guests say there is new research out that proves that multi-tasking is a misnomer.  Your brain can only focus on one thing at a time, so when you think you are multi-tasking or taking care of multiple things at once, you’re not.  You’re actually switching from one thing to another, to another, to another in rapid-fire mode.  The result is a bunch of stuff done (if you in fact get it all done) with mediocrity.  This is a colossal waste of time and money.  Why not just do a few things with excellence—and for any one thing that you’re working on give it your fullest attention and complete awareness and attention in that moment?
  4. Respond to changes in the business environment quickly instead of being oppressed by fear.  Rosana Santos’ company, Big Chef, used to be known for producing “luxury appetizers” but when the market dropped, most people’s interest in luxury products—food included—dropped too;  so her company switched to health-conscious appetizers—a real recipe for success since everyone is trying to lose or maintain weight.
  5. Simple products can be super successful.  Kimberly Lopez saved women and men every where from “shoe string” ID badge holders by adding stylishness to the workplace with her line of “functional jewelry”.  Her company is now doing $2 million per year in business!
  6. Connecting with others can connect the dots of your success.  Business ownership can seem lonely at first because you’re making major decisions and many of them alone.  But you’re not actually alone.  There are 10.1 million women business owners in America and thousands of them are in the Make Mine a Million $ Business Initiative.  Plugging in to various organizations and opportunities like this and subscribing to Ms. CEO Magazine can ensure that you get the connections, encouragement, contacts and insight you need to be a success.
  7. Shape her young mind now.  Encourage young ladies to learn about personal finances because doing so will be tied to their future success as entrepreneurs, if they choose that path; and knowing about their finances and being able to manage them will make them a success no matter what vocation they pursue. 
  8. Your actions are the best roadmap.  What you do in addition to what you say can encourage a young woman to believe in herself and the power of entrepreneurship.  Be aware of what your actions are communicating to her about entrepreneurship, finances and success—and make yourself a resource to answer her questions and model what her future could be.
  9. Emulate success.  When thousands of people have all achieved the same feat—in this case, reaching a million per year in revenue—there are some common strategies and tactics.  Learn those.  Apply those; and enjoy the same accomplishment.
  10. Do something different, or something more. Moms Mabley, a renown commediene born in the late 1800s who passed in 1975 said: If you always do what you’ve always done then you’ll always get what you always got; if you want something different, then you’ve got to do something different.  Enough said.

Be Encouraged!

Top 10 Takeaways - Where are the Women on Corporate Boards?

Published
by
Felicia Joy
on August 25, 2009
in Ms. CEO Blog
. 1 Comment

Whew! Today’s show was jam-packed with incredibly valuable information for both women entrepreneurs and corporate careerwomen who wish to be recruited to corporate boards. It was also valuable for men who own businesses, or work at companies that lack women in leadership in large numbers, because the evidence of the difference that inclusion of women in leadership makes is substantial. We had a stellar line-up of guests:

  • Wendy Beecham, CEO of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and Executives;
  • Bob Pearson, 30-year senior level executive recruiter and principal of Pearson Partners International;
  • Susan Colantuono, the CEO and Founder of Leading Women and its Women on Boards program, and author of the soon-to-be-released book, “No Ceiling, No Walls: What Women Haven’t Been Told about Leadership from Career Start to the Corporate Boardroom”; and
  • Jacqui Brandwynne, President and CEO of the Brandwynne Corp, and a business strategy and marketing expert—and turnaround specialist—in the health, beauty and banking industries, among others.

Each of these guests shared a compelling perspective, and wise and knowledgable bit of substance regarding why more women are not on boards, the difference that it could make for women to be on boards, and how we should prepare and present ourselves to be selected for boards. I learned SO much!

We’ll have a feature article on this topic in the upcoming issue of Ms. CEO Magazine, so make sure you subscribe. Each of our guests stressed the importance of having a board bio and resume’ and in Ms. CEO Magazine we will feature the “anatomy” of this specialized kind of bio and resume’. This helpful information will be available to subscribers only!

(I must digress and tell you, as well, that we’ll be giving away free full page ads in Ms. CEO Magazine. Find out more here.)

Without further ado, here are the Top 10 Takeaways from today’s show:

  1. It’s not just who you know; it’s who knows you, too. Our guests agreed that fully 80 percent or more of corporate board appointments, or even recommendations, come as a result of being known and referred by someone already on a board. Well, with the majority of boards being comprised of men, that means you have to network with everyone, men included, to be seen and remembered. (By the way, being remembered has a lot to do with your personal brand. Whether you’re a woman entrepreneur or intrapreneur—an intrapreneur builds business units aggressively within a company—you’ve got to have a memorable brand for just this reason. We’ll be talking about personal and company branding on the September 8th show, so tune in.)
  2. Look really good…on paper. To be seriously considered for a board appointment you need to look good on paper and that means having an impressive “board bio and resume”. This is different from your run-of-the-mill bio and resume. It needs to stress operational, financial, and strategic successes you have led at the helm of your own company—or at the helm of a business unit within a company. The old sales rule applies to this one: Benefits not features. So, rather than listing the plum assignments you have, you want to stress and illustrate the plum results you’ve gotten as the leader of major projects or an upstart business that you built to the multi-million or multi-billion dollar level.
  3. No interns, sorry. Corporate boards of all size companies want board directors with experience because ultimately the board’s job is to direct the company’s leadership in the best interest of shareholders. So you must be able to hold the CEO, CFO, COO and others accountable for having and executing a solid corporate strategy. To do this, you have to know your stuff (or as one of our guests more eloquently said, “have business acumen”). This basically boils down to board experience and recruiters or corporate boards will pass over you if you don’t have any.
  4. Intern! Since corporate boards are adamant about appointing directors who have experience, go out and get some on a board as soon as possible. You can start with non-profit boards. And, as our final guest of the hour, Jacqui Brandwynne, who has been on many, many boards (of very large companies) pointed out, you should take every board assignment very seriously. Non-profits and for-profits. Manage the company as if it were your own. And not doing so can get you into REAL trouble, too. Real spelled S-U-E-D (by shareholders). So, board membership is a lot of responsibility and non-profit boards are a great place—with a lot of work—to learn all about it.
  5. Work in the business of the business. Alot of factors commingle, apparently, and depress the number of women on boards, including the fact that women are often encouraged to pursue non-financial or non-operational positions and professions. Yet, these kinds of backgrounds and positions—financial and operational—are quite, if not more, appealing to corporate boards. human resources and marketing are exceptionally important, as well, but statistically, women excel in these areas while often shying away from finance and operations. This is not to say you have to go into these areas if you don’t really enjoy them but as an entrepreneur it’s almost certain you’ll have to excel in these areas, at least from a management perspective, to succeed—and as a corporate careerwoman you need to vie for opportunities in these areas to increase your chances of being on a corporate board one day.
  6. Eat your wheaties! Get ready for some late nights, early mornings and long days. More than one of our guests emphasized the fact that it sounds really cool and glamorous to say you’re on a corporate board but at the end of the day, that also means a sizeable time commitment, depending on the market capitalization of the company (small, mid, large). If you want to be on a corporate board and do a good job, get ready to commit the time—in addition to all of your other responsibilities—to being a board member and representing yourself well, and also leaving the opportunity open for other women. We can have it all, but not all at once, so make the move to be on a board when you have the time to commit to corporateg governance.
  7. Tell it like it is, so it can become the way it should be. As a Director, you’ll need to be able to ask tough questions and hold C-level executives accountable (and these could be people older than you, with more degrees than you, and more experience than you; but it doesn’t matter). Essentially, it’s your job to protect the corporation and its owners (shareholders) against negligence, poor strategy, hasty decisions, greed, corruption and all other manner of ill, ignorance, apathy, inagility and uninspired thinking that impacts the performance of companies. This will sometimes mean being a contrarian, and possibly standing alone. Gender doesn’t matter. Right choices do. And the ability and willingness to communicate the most prudent course of action matters even more. Ask yourself if you can do this. I hope you said, “yes,” if you’re interested in being on a board because it’s a requirement (an unspoken one, anyway).
  8. Companies really are looking for a few good women! This was great to know from our guests: Companies of all sizes actively seek women to be on their corporate boards. Bob Pearson said that typically in his searches the companies actually request a diverse pool of applicants both in terms of gender and race/ethnicity. Companies are looking for you, so listen to this show (you can list to it on the player to the right and you can also subscribe to our show on iTunes; search “The Ms. CEO Show”) and do everything recommended by our guests to get yourself in line for a corporate board position.
  9. It’s about the money, honey! An absolute imperative for being on a corporate board is that you understand the financials. If this isn’t your strong suit, take a course, get personal coaching, do what is required to shore up in this area because it will serve you well professionally and in your pursuit of a corporate board assignment.
  10. There’s power in numbers (and knowledge). Think about joining an organization that is a member of ION, which is working through organizations across the United States to inform and empower women to prepare themselves for corporate board memberships—and to remind companies of the major difference that women in leadership can make. Get informed, get involved!

Be Encouraged,
Felicia Joy

Top 10 Takeaways - Healthcare Reform for (Women) Business Owners

Published
by
Felicia Joy
on August 18, 2009
in Ms. CEO Blog
. 0 Comments

Today on The Ms. CEO Show we discussed healthcare reform from the perspective of the small business owner.  A true discussion of the facts with no PR, politics or misplaced passion has not been had in mainstream media, if you ask me, and I wanted to have it; so we did.  This is not just a ratings boosting topic for The Ms. CEO Show.  I wanted to get to the facts.  This is a real issue that could affect entrepreneurs and small business owners in a major way.  The wrong turn could put some folks out of business—and make it that much more frightening, risky and cost prohibitive for some folks to go into business.  Either of these scenarios are the last things we need with the U.S. and global economies continuing to struggle (despite what those brainiac economists said in this week’s Wall Street Journal about the recession being over). 

So, all business owners need to be concerned about this issue, and perhaps women business owners especially.  I came across a compelling and provocative blog article by Nancy Duff Campbell, founder and co-president of the National Women’s Law Center, in which she advocates for healthcare reform for business owners—and especially women business owners, who she says are adversely and disproportionately affected by a decaying and archaic healthcare system.  Whether you agree or not, it’s an interesting read.

Also, at the heart of this debate is whether healthcare is a right or a privilege.  What do you think?

Our guests for today: Kristie Arslan, Executive Director of the National Association for the Self Employed (NASE) ; Roslyn Stone, COO of Corporate Wellness and a small business owner who likes to provide full health coverage for her employees; and Kesi Stribling, creator of the national stakeholder initiative, 100DaysIn.com, and also a small business owner—all had plenty to say.  Check out the entire show on the player to the right or subscribe to it on iTunes (search “The Ms. CEO Show” on iTunes). 

Meanwhile, here are the top 10 takeaways from what the business owners and advocates on today’s show had to say collectively:

  1. No Mandated Coverage: As a small business owner let your elected officials know that we do not want mandated coverage to be a part of healthcare reform.  Healthcare costs and insurance are still too high so mandating coverage is essentially adding a whopping additional expense to the budgets of small business owners and entrepreneurs who are already battling high costs to stay in business and grow.
  2. No New Taxes: We know someone has to foot the bill but as a small business owner, let Congress know that you do not want to see an increase in taxes (or at least not an exorbitant one) to pay for this reform when other aspects of the healthcare system need to be restructured and overhauled to drive costs—and therefore the money needed to pay for reform–down.
  3. Make healthare costs and insurance more affordable before you go digging into the pockets of everyday working people.  Affordability in every respect is a critical issue that Congress needs to consider before making any final moves.  Healthcare needs to be more affordable.  Health insurance needs to be more affordable.  And, as an entrepreneur, you can be proactive to control your own healthcare costs by being part of an association or alliance.  Check out the NASE as one such alliance.  (Check out “Group Power” on this page for a better understanding of why being part of an association or alliance matters.)
  4. If it’s a business expense (and healthcare is a heck of an expense) it should be deductible, period.  Deductibility is important.  With small business owners spending so much on healthcare — in some cases, as mcuh as 20% of revenues — it should be deductible but it is not.  This should certainly change!  Advocate for deductibility.
  5. Confused?  Get more clarity through the National Association of the Self-Employed.  The whole healthcare reform debate is confusing but I found on today’s show that I was less confused after hearing the explanations and information provided to us by Kristie Arslan, Executive Director of the NASE.  Check out their Health 101 website  section — and listen to the show — for greater clarity.
  6. Tell the Small Business Committees of the U.S. House and Senate that you are expecting them to do their jobs!  Stay in touch — or get in touch — with Congress, particularly the strategic members of Congress, who can make final decisions and have real sway when it comes to this issue.  Both the House and Senate sides of Congress have Small Business Committees who should be advocating for our needs and concerns in this issue.  Get in touch with both the Senate and House Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committees and let your voice be heard!
  7. This isn’t just a D.C. battle, it’s coming to your backyard too.  Check into how you will be affected at the state level when it comes to healthcare reform.  The entire debate has been discussed from the federal legislative perspective but it seems that there could be another showdown—or more frankly, a big mess—when it’s time for the states to have their say or administer the reform laws that are eventually passed.  The NASE, again, has an informative primer on state impact—check it out.
  8. Do what entrepreneurs and small business owners do best—DO something.  We can’t let apathy set in on this one.  Make a phone call.  Send a letter.  Send an e-mail.  Real reform is needed and something is going to be passed. All of us are going to shoulder the cost and burden of healthcare reform so have your say in it before it is too late!
  9. Correct knowledge is power—take advantage of what is being provided!  Get informed and stay informed about this issue.  For small business owners, I think NASE is the source to which to remain connected on this issue. 
  10. Answer the philosophical question for yourself, and move forward accordingly.  The underlying question in all of this, really, is this: Is healthcare a right or a privilege?  If you have not answered that question for yourself then there is a starting place to decide what you believe and what you will ultimately advocate for.  I think everyone should have access to basic health care and that we need to do a lot more preventive education, awareness and advocacy.

Whatever you believe when it comes to healthcare reform, I hope you will DO something about it because as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said: We must live together as sisters and brothers, or perish together as fools.

Kathy Ireland on The Ms. CEO Show - Top 10 Takeaways

Published
by
Felicia Joy
on July 28, 2009
in Ms. CEO Blog
. 0 Comments

Today on The Ms. CEO Show, I chatted with fellow Ms. CEO Kathy Ireland, CEO of Kathy Ireland Worldwide (KIWW), a billion dollar corporation.  This former model and actress is not only a billion dollar business woman, she’s also a mother, wife and author has just published a new book: REAL SOLUTONS FOR BUSY MOMS: Your Guide to Success and Sanity.  She shared great insights and inspiration for women entrepreneurs, and the funniest stories from her childhood on today’s show, so check out the full interview; and check out these Top 10 Takeaways for women entrepreneurs from what Kathy Ireland had to say.

  1. Life comes in seasons.  We can have it all but not all at the same time.  Kathy said her 20s were about learning.  Her 30s were about motherhood.  And currently life for her is about growth as a businesswoman.
  2. Crisis is a time for teaching and learning. Kathy says the economic crisis has been an opportunity to teach our children about what matters most and about the value of a dollar.
  3. Rejection is noise; just turn it off.  Kathy says she experienced a lot of rejection and plain ol’ rudeness when she was a model and struggling entrepreneur (she even once had to re-organize her company through bankruptcy).  To her this is all “noise”.  It’s really no big deal when you learn to turn it down, tune it out, and move on with a better strategy.
  4. A sacrifice for your dream isn’t really a sacrifice.  Kathy says be willing to give up material things in the short term to really live your dreams.  This is not a sacrifice—it’s a bold investment in your future.  Also, realize that most stuff that we think is a big deal, really isn’t.  Kathy once slept in an airport on a trip to save money—this was just a small act to her to achieve the BIG results that she was on the way to:  A company that does more than $1.4 billion a year in revenue.
  5. Put everything to the mission statement test. Kathy says that all new products considered and eventually developed by her company must be in alignment with Kathy Ireland Worldwide’s mission statement: Finding solutions for families; especially busy moms.
  6. Every woman is a brand. Kathy says we are all a brand—every individual. What’s your brand?  Know it, change it (if necessary) and live it.
  7. Don’t lose your “real” self in your press kit.  Kathy says to know and be okay with our ”real” versus our “retouched” selves (she said this in reference to a photo) and to know when it’s time to get control of our real self, and make some adjustments for our health and well being.
  8. Good old sound business advice still applies (and works). Kathy says to build a billion dollar corporation you’ve got to have a plan, strategy and timetable—then work your plan and honor your priorities.
  9. Your customers are the boss.  Kathy says that her complete success is tied up in her relationship with the moms who buy her products.  She is in contact with her customers all the time and they are her boss—and she says she works everyday with this in mind.
  10. How you start your day greatly predicts how your day will be.  Kathy says getting to bed earlier and getting up earlier gives her the time to read the Bible, pray and reflect on what she is grateful for—and that makes all the difference in her day.

Just Create Something That People Really, Really Like

Published
by
Felicia Joy
on June 23, 2009
in Ms. CEO Blog
. 0 Comments

Something happened yesterday and I woke up a much simpler person.  I think what happened has been stirring over the last few months as I have had some dramatic, life-changing experiences; but whatever this big bang was, it took the form this morning of a personal mental shift (sometimes called a “breakthrough”) in me. 

This calmer, simpler perspective and approach will probably show up in myriad ways in my life over the next few months but the most obvious way it is coming out now is my desire to write this blog sharing that everything—especially business—is so simple.

Want to know the really simple way to be successful in business?  Just create something that people really, really like.  When you do this, everything else will come together.  You’ll get customers because everybody tells other people about stuff they really, really like. 

That will bring in money, which you need to run your business.  Your business growth will necessitate the need for employees or contractors, and you’ll find good people to work for you because everybody wants to work for a brand that people really, really like.  Publicity?  That’ll come.  Press can’t help themselves—they love telling people why so many other people really, really like something (and the cons of why they shouldn’t, but why they do anyway). 

Taxes, accounting and all that other back office stuff required for business?  Well, you can hire the best help money will buy to take care of that stuff if you don’t really like doing it because you’ll have so many customers who really, really like coming back for more of what you created that is relevant to their lives.

Product/service.  Customers. Marketing.  Back Office.  That’s pretty much a business.  So, you see, it’s simple. Just create something that people really, really like—and you’ll really, really, really like the result.

Be Encouraged,

Felicia Joy

Clarity Comes from Movement

Published
by
Felicia Joy
on June 10, 2009
in Ms. CEO Blog
. 0 Comments

For most entrepreneurs, your business, even with the greatest business plan, starts out as a basic compelling idea for a product or service and morphs into something else.  The idea that you start out with is only a figment of your imagination because what you set out to create throught your specific business doesn’t currently exist. 

As you make your way down the path of figuring everything out in order to move from imagination to reality, the world around you will have an impact on how each part of the business that started out in your head comes to be in real life.  Most times, what comes into fruition will be adjusted by the needs and demands of the people your business will serve. 

Allow this process to occur.  If you stall, stop or try to protect every detail of your original idea, the clarity you need to find success and fulfillment will never come.  You’ll therefore be out of business and back at square one.  The most important things are to hold on to the essence of your idea and to keep moving.

Clarity about how it will all end up will come to you as you move along.  I promise.  Been there, done that—got the t-shirt, umbrella, note pad and coffee mug.  And, get this—it happens to the most seasoned entrepreneurs.  This is simply life’s way of giving you directional signage to grow the business, so have faith and take heed!  Clarity will come.

That said, I want to share some background information and changes you will see based on clarity that has come to me.  Ms. CEO Media Inc. launched in December 2008 with “The Ms. CEO Show” as its first media product.  Ms. CEO Media Inc. is a specialty media company that produces content to inform and inspire women entrepreneurs to achieve their greatest potential in business.  The company will eventually be the go-to source for women entrepreneurs to get information, inspiration and leads/referrals for everything you need to build your business.  So, we’ll deliver content through every possible platform—radio, television, print, Internet, live events, merchandise and mobile.  All specifically for women entrepreneurs. 

We’re currently active in:

  • Radio with The Ms. CEO Show;
  • Merchandise with our “Ms. CEO” t-shirts; 
  • Live events with our signature events: Pretty Powerful, an annual celebrity-style photo shoot during which women get new fabulous, publicity-worthy headshots and Ms. CEO Martini Mondays, our bi-annual (twice per year) kick off your heels and meet some great women networking event;
  • Internet with our active blog here at msceoshow.com and our social media activity (follow us on Twitter — @msceo); and soon,
  • Print with the launch of our national “Ms. CEO Magazine”.

This is an overview of Ms. CEO Media Inc. and our current status. 

Separate and apart from Ms. CEO Media Inc., my life’s mission is to build substantially valuable businesses that create enjoyable and reliable employment for people—and to use entrepreneurship as a tool for positive social change.  In this capacity, as an individual, I have built and learned from multiple businesses in the past and I am now moving into a new phase of my mission with the upcoming launch of www.feliciajoyonline.com.  This is what I meant by clarity and changes you will see. 

We will continue to blog and connect with women entrepreneurs here on www.msceoshow.com.  The culture of women is special and unique—and the culture of women entrepreneurs is even more so.  Plus, as Marsha Firestone, President and founder of the Women Presidents’ Organization, said to me as she thanked me on The Ms. CEO Show,  the mainstream press continues to ignore or under-report on women entrepreneurs despite the fact that we are leading the small business economy.  So Ms. CEO Media Inc. has a lot of work to do to provide you the information you need and the recognition you deserve. 

But to carry on with my individual mission, which is predicated on me touching all people, from all walks of life, I am launching www.feliciajoyonline.com and moving into the publishing arena.  Mass communications is an essential part of spreading world-changing ideas—which is a necessary part of my mission—so I will be publishing books for all entrepeneurs and everyday people, on a regular basis.  My first book, Hybrid Entrepreneurship: The New Path to Prosperity and Success in an Economically Changed America, is due out June 16th.  (Sign up to be notified about it at www.feliciajoyonline.com or follow me on Twitter at @feliciajoy.)  I will also be posting my personal daily business blogs at www.feliciajoyonline.com once that site is launched.

What this all boils down to is the clarity that has come to me: You, each and every woman entrepreneur out there, and the women who will become entrepreneurs—all of you—are Ms. CEO.  I am Felicia Joy.  So, it takes a vast team of people to serve all of you and I am assembling that team to give you what you deserve through Ms. CEO Media Inc.  And, I, Felicia Joy, am going to use www.feliciajoyonline.com as my hub to share with the world—everyone in the world…both genders, all ages, all races and ethnicities, and all nations—the entrepreneurial thoughts, ideas and actions I think we can all take to make this a better place.

So, to my fellow women entrepreneurs, no matter who you see getting involved on www.msceoshow.com or with Ms. CEO Media Inc., please know that it is all for you and all for the betterment of what the company can provide.  And please know as well that I am always here as a resource for you.  Drop me a line at either felicia [at] msceoshow.com or info [at] feliciajoyonline.com or let’s keep up on Twitter (@feliciajoy and @msceo).

I’m all clear!

Be Encouraged,

Felicia Joy

The Ms. CEO Show - Top 10 Takeaways

Published
by
Felicia Joy
on June 9, 2009
in Ms. CEO Blog
. 0 Comments

On today’s The Ms. CEO Show, I chatted with two phenomenal women entrepreneurs: Lyn Ross, founder of the Institut Dermed Spas in Atlanta, whose business grossed $28,000 in 1990 when she launched it and more than $3 million today; and Candi Carter, a full-time Emmy award winning television producer who created “It’s Hip Hop Baby”, an educational DVD series that helps children, 2-6 years old, learn colors, numbers and other concepts using kid-friendly hip-hop songs that Candi creates.

These two women live on opposite sides of the country, have totally different businesses and have never met but their success stories have common themes!  Here are the top ten takeaways from what Lyn and Candi shared on today’s show:

  1. Don’t let life’s challenges and frustrations get you down.  Use them to fuel your business success!
  2. Get up early in the morning; you can get a jump on the day before anyone or anything else can get in your way.
  3. So you don’t know everything—no big deal!  Surround yourself with good people who know what you don’t know and are willing to help. (Think “interns”.)
  4. Don’t worry about what you cannot do; focus on what you can do—do it, and the opportunities will unfold.
  5. Listen to your gut.  Listen to your spirit.  Don’t take on other peoples’ fear and emotions.
  6. Be excellent.  Get training, credentials and other things that set you apart.
  7. Really know your business.
  8. Connect with the true purpose of your business—you may sell a skin serum but the real purpose of your business is making people feel better and confident about themselves.
  9. Don’t ever give up, just make the necessary adjustments to get better.
  10. Learn the numbers side of your business—so you can stay in business!

Be Encouraged,

Felicia Joy

Ms. CEO of the Week - Andrea Jung of Avon

Published
by
Felicia Joy
on June 5, 2009
in Ms. CEO Blog
. 0 Comments

Avon CEO Andrea JungShe’s as beautiful as a garden of roses yet tough as a box of nails: Andrea Jung—today’s Ms. CEO of the Week—is a 21st century business woman to be emulated and admired.  She is the CEO and Chairman of Avon, a $10 billion company that remains on the cutting edge of cosmetic sales, corporate responsibility, technology, and global advertising and marketing. 

I haven’t met Ms. Jung yet but I look forward to it.  Imagine a woman gutsy enough to “fire” herself to save her job and her company.  That’s what Ms. Jung did in 2005 when Avon’s profits were down and the hot water was rising, as investors raised their eyebrows at quarter after quarter of poor performance. 

To get the company back on track, Ms. Jung took some advice and fired herself.  Read what she shared with Fortune Magazine to find out what happened as a result.  I think I’ll fire myself this weekend.

Be Encouraged,

Felicia Joy

Ms. CEO of the Week - Alicia Ingram, President and CEO of ANI Creative

Published
by
Felicia Joy
on May 29, 2009
in Ms. CEO Blog
. 0 Comments

Alicia Ingram, President and CEO of ANI Creative

Alicia Ingram, President and CEO of ANI Creative


Alicia Ingram, founder, President and CEO of ANI Creative is Ms. CEO of the Week. Her Atlanta based firm has carved out a niche in marketing and business services to create success. Visit her company online and check out our interview with her below for more about this week’s Ms. CEO!

What is the nature of your business and how do you increase revenues year over year? ANI Creative is in the results and communications business often known as “effective marketing”. We help my clients deliver hard-hitting messages, execute creative strategies and implement practical marketing solutions that make them stand out in the marketplace. As far as our revenues, we achieve growth in several ways: 1) Always maintaining existing relationships while building new ones at the same time; 2) Creating multiple impressions – also known as branding; and 3) In this economy, having sheer determination and constantly responding to my clients most pressing needs – that old fashioned concept generally referred to as “customer service”.

Have current economic conditions had an impact on your business—how so? Like for many, business is slower than normal, but this is also a time for re-tooling and new service offerings based on client needs.

If you weren’t running the business you are running what kind would you have—or what would you be doing instead? Hmm…I was in St. Thomas and I thought the guy who rented paddle boats on the beach had a pretty good job. So yes, I would be renting paddle boats on a beach; but honestly, I love what I’m doing now.

What do you do to de-stress? Work out, work out and then work out some more.

What businesswoman (women) do you admire and why? Shelia Johnson for her authenticity; and all women in politics or business who are trailblazers.

You have political aspirations—how will you balance between politics and business? Do you see them as contradictory or collaborative endeavors?
Very collaborative, business and civic leadership go hand in hand and require the same skill set of building relationships in order to drive results. In business, results are often revenue where has in politics, it’s often sound policy.

Are you in a relationship? If so, how does your significant other support you in business?
Currently, I’m not. However, from past experience, support from your significant other is essential. It’s important to have someone who understands your business in your passion and is flexible when it comes to having to pull late nights.

Do you think image makes a big difference in a business woman’s ability to succeed—and what kind of image do you try to project? A good friend of mine and I were discussing this very topic yesterday. Image makes a big difference and yes, for women more so than men. As business women, half of the battle is managing other people’s perceptions of you. This can be your image or your brand. Physical appearance is a part of that package. People make assumptions based on your image.

What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in business and how did you recover? So many, but most memorably, not wanting to pay attention to accounting practices…it makes or breaks a business. I hired an accountant.

What’s your favorite food; color; song; vacation spot?
Food: Pizza and Oatmeal
Color: Blue all day everyday
Song: Too many to pick just one but anything by Beyonce’
Vacation spot: Toss up between St. Thomas and Capetown

When the Going Gets Tough, Do Only What Matters Most

Published
by
Felicia Joy
on May 28, 2009
in Ms. CEO Blog
. 0 Comments

The mail is stacking up. Your dirty clothes hamper runneth over. Your to-do list is longer than the New York City Marathon. There are a bazillion things to do in your business and all of them are top priorities. Your assistant just moved away. Your accounts payable (the money you owe people) are behind, and your receivables (money owed to you) are too. When it rains, it pours and you feel like you’re standing smack dab in the middle of Niagra Falls.

Wow, can I relate.

Sometimes go-getters feel embarassed or inadequate when everything seems to be snowballing or going wrong or we feel that we must step up to the plate and handle it all—and all at once. Not so. You are entitled to being overwhelmed, and if your life and business never get to the point that you don’t feel this way, or haven’t felt this way, then you’re probably not doing much. The key to making it through these life/business snowstorms is paring back to the absolute essential actions that will put you in a position to easily (or less strenuously) handle everything else.

Figure out what you ultimately need and go after it with a vengeance. For example, if bills are behind, you need more employees or contractors to help your business grow, your marketing is suffering, and your house isn’t as tidy as you would like, all of these challenges effectively boil down to needing more money.

Maybe the challenges you are facing effectively boil down to needing to take action quicker—and not procrastinating. Whatever your situation, ask yourself—what’s the bottom line here? What does this boil down to and what are the two or three overarching, or broad, solutions to this problem?

So, if money were the ultimate issue then you’d need to decide what two to three things you could do relentlessly and consistently for a period of time to move yourself out of your circumstances of lack. If procrastionation were the ultimate issue then you’d need to decide what two or three new behaviors you could adopt to shake that show-stopping monkey off your back.

As entreprenuers, it is absolutely essential that we take stock on a regular basis of not only where our businesses are but who we are as the visionaries and drivers of our businesses. When all things are awry get back to the very specific things that will move you forward, persist in these areas, and delegate other things or let them be until you can address them. Believe me, I know it’s a scary place to be in when you start having to leave some loose ends untied for awhile but this is the great entrepreneurial dilemma. I believe it is nature’s way of weeding out those who really want it versus those who sorta want it, and those who don’t.

I found this overview of the 10 most common traits among the most successful entrepreneurs. You don’t have to possess all of them but it’s a great list to read and think on. Among all these traits I would say “persistence” is the most critical.

If you’re bombarded with responsibilities and feel like you’re being pulled under by the tide, decide what is ultimately going to turn your situation around and single-mindedly focus on that.

Be Encouraged,
Felicia Joy