Inspirational Women Entrepreneurs

	1. Imagine. Create. Indulge I started my Interior Design Business in my 30's. I started it from the realization that I had skills to fit the marketplace. And, like many other entrepreneurs, realizing I didn't want to work for someone else the rest of my life. A third reason is being a single mom. I was not going to let a job keep me from going to basketball games and teacher conferences. Consistent drive is knowing I am the breadwinner and I want to do great job for my clients. I now have a good list of repeat clients. Thanks to Donna Houghton of Creative Design
	2. Success Can Begin At Any And Every Stage Of Your Life! I started my event business from home with my "Tandy Computer" in 1990, (at 33 years old) I wanted to be a stay at home mom and own my own business and started an event consulting business. In 1996 I started looking to add additional revenue, seeing the need I started a portable restroom rental business specifically designed for the special event community providing both upscale, convenient, as well affordable portable restrooms. We are now franchising our successful model nationwide. Thanks to Eliza Kendall of ElizaJ Portable Restroom and Event Rentals
	3. When Inspired, Act! Watching the news and seeing the fear increase due to the concerns with the economy, I wanted to help clear the subconscious cause of those fears so they could create a more positive future. Using an ancient spiritual technique I learned in 1986, I started healing people of their challenges so they achieved better results. Following my inspiration has turned out to be the most fulfilling work I have ever done. Nothing could be more rewarding than helping people improve their experience of life. Thanks to Joy Pedersen of Express Success
	4. Turning Old Tires Into Lemonade There is an old saying "Turning lemons into lemonade" when talking about a bad situation, being made good. Perfect Rubber Mulch has done that. At age 50 I started operating, full time,my internet business selling rubber mulch. Rubber mulch is used for playgrounds,landscapes,equestrian,bullet traps and track and field infill. It takes 64 unwanted tires to make one yard of rubber mulch. I wanted to make a difference environmentally and make money. I've worked very hard making it successful. Thanks to Julie Cole of Perfect Rubber Mulch
	5. Creating A Mindset For Uncommon Success Sick of being directed by old stories that were either no longer true or perhaps never were true, I set out to create a new me - a me I could get excited about. After going through my own reinvention people started to ask me for advice on how to do it for themselves. I became trained as a life coach and then began speaking internationally on the topic of personal growth - I have never looked back. Now driving me is the rush I get from seeing people get excited about their own lives. I love it! Thanks to Staples Stephanie of Your Life, Unlimited
	6. Shopping Saved My Life Somewhere along the road to where I am today—a dentist, an author, a hypnotist, a wife, a mother, and a healthy woman—two periods of my life grabbed me and shook me deeply. The first involved my relationships. The second was about my health. Each tribulation guided me towards discovering my passion for being a Relationship Expert and Tree Reader; they led me towards being the entrepreneur I am today. My story begins in December 1984. I was 30 years old, when my marriage fell apart, I was fired from my job, and my car was destroyed. I was devastated to say the least. Still, when my sorrow and sobs had run their course, my sister reminded me that I was, and had always been, an excellent shopper. She told me to go shopping, get organized, and start looking for a new job, a new place to live, a new relationship, and a new car. I took her advice as just that – good advice, and I made my shopping list…began shopping. It was not until battling stage-four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that I came to understand the essence of her words. Cancer wasn’t a wake-up call; it was a last call, “Attention all shoppers, the store will be closing in fifteen minutes.” After I overcame the illness not once but twice, with a recurrence in 2003, did I realize I needed to share my knowledge with others. I published a book, “If you want an Eggroll get out of the Pizzeria” and began lecturing to women across the country. I am in the process of writing a self-guided companion workbook. To combat the negative side effects of chemotherapy, I went to hypnosis two to three times a week. I later pursued a certification in hypnotherapy, applying the treatment for my patients. At one such Hypnosis conference, I was introduced to Tree Drawing Interpretation and it was there that I found my academic and entrepreneurial passion – Tree Reading. Since then, I have developed an application called “Draw Me a Tree” for the iphone, ipad, and Android available in three different versions: “Social-Fun”, “Stress Management,” and “Advanced.” This project has led me to create a tree reading starter kit to teach others this wonderful technique. Using my store metaphor, I have done a lot of renovations to become the entrepreneur that I am now. I can honestly say Tree Reading is my product and my passion. I am motivated to share tree reading with the world and share my story that life can be amazing for a woman over 55. I invite you to visit my website at www.janetcrain.com. Thanks to Janet Crain of Dr. Janet Crain
	7. Teaching My Children To Innovate In my binder titled Dreams and Ambitions, "build my own business" and "become a national speaker/author" were high on the list. Massive layoffs from a multinational employer made it possible to pursue the dream in my early 40s. It was also important to maintain a daily schedule I controlled because I have three young children, the oldest of whom has visual and auditory impairments. What drives my work is to show them the long-term tenacity it takes to create a company that creates social value. Thanks to Graciela Tiscareno-Sato of Gracefully Global Group LLC
	8. International Dating Expert I became a dating/relationship expert after 40. I am now the author of "Lucia's Lessons of Love", host of "The Art of Love" on L.A. Talk Radio, a syndicated columnist and keynote speaker. I have over 100 national and international TV and radio credits including Dr. Phil, The Tyra Banks Show, E! Entertainment, 60 Minutes Australia, The CBS Early Show, ABC 7 News, Good Day L.A. and the KTLA News. I’ve been interviewed by numerous publications including Details, Business Week, Allure and Elle. Thanks to Lucia Demasi of The Art of Love
	9. Tales Of A 40+ Geek My electric typewriter died my freshman year of college and my now-husband suggested I go to the computer lab. I freaked out on him! It took a long time for me to embrace my inner geek. It always seemed there were others that were smarter, savvier or more whatever-er than me. But I kept plugging away and I've gained the confidence to know that not only can I compete, but I can thrive. And its incredibly rewarding to empower my clients to leverage online marketing tools and share my expertise. Thanks to Jann Mirchandani of Marketing Cafe
	10. Queen Of The Hill At 49! My first foray into entrepreneurship was when I was 12 years old and running a baby sitter service. Since then I have owned a franchise (Maid Brigade), was a Realtor, an independant consultant for a direct sales company, co-founder of Air Ambulance Specialists, and finally, my dream job, Founder/President of Preferred Travel Helpers. We enable everyone to travel! Following a vision, being impactful to families, making a difference, proving the nasayers wrong truly feels like I am the Queen! Thanks to Kimarie Jones of Preferred Travel Helpers
	11. The Idea Machine I've started three businesses and had ideas for many more. I've been successful because I act on my ideas. We are all "idea machines" - we are all creative in our own way! Believe in your ideas! My business came out of a personal challenge - I complete my own "year without clothes shopping" in late 2010, and knew I could start a business from it & help other women. Which I did - and now we have members from all over the world and help women to develop healthier relationships to shopping. Thanks to Jill Chivers of My Year Without Clothes Shopping
	12. Real Life Story Made For Television! When I was 35 years old, I lost my husband to two very rare forms of cancer. With 4 little children to raise and 2 ailing technology companies to turn around, I set to work, saving my family, the companies and my sanity. Initially thrust into entrepreneurship with little choice, my journey became one filled with passion, which led me to launch a 3rd company to help make the world a better place for kids and eventually become President of Programming for Next 1 Network, www.nxoi.com. Thanks to Laura Wellington of The Giddy Gander Company
	13. What? I'm An Entrepreneur? I started my Professional Organizing business because I wanted to work for myself and was good at organizing. After all, I had organized or reorganized every job I'd ever had, people would pay me because I'm good at it. They did, kind of. I turned 40 and a light bulb went on. What if I become an entrepreneur that organizes people. Study, learn, create, implement, repeat. My business has tripled and my fun has too. Thanks to Miriam Ortiz Y Pino of More than Organized
	14. My Vision As An Entrepreneur Over 40 I am a busy mother of two active boys and also the President and Founder of Nannies International, Inc. My love of children combined with my business sense and my “vision” have enabled me to maintain a thriving business while also being able to work and enjoy as much time as possible with my children. I am thrilled that I have had the opportunity to seek professional fulfillment while also maximizing my time with my children. I have been blessed. Thanks to Candi Wingate of Nannies4hire.com & Care4hire.com
	15. Starting Over At 41 My jewelry line, charmed design 1012 came into being as something constructive and positive to do while I recovered from a sudden and life threatening illness that caused me to lose my job, home, and life as I knew it at the age of 41. After only a year, I have a successful website and sell my jewelry in boutiques all over the US. To be an entrepreneur over 40 is both a blessing and a challenge. It is most important to never lose sight of the passion that drives me to thrive creatively. Thanks to Lori Cohn of charmed design
	16. Third Time's The Charm! They say the average person has 3 careers in a lifetime. I started my current business at age 48 after two other successful careers: one in graphic design and the other in fashion retail. I kept going back and forth between the two, becoming more and more dissatisfied. Then, I took a spiritually-based career assessment to find not only my ideal career, but my reason for being on earth. The results pointed to a career where I could help individuals reach their goals through image, and here I am! Thanks to Catherine Montalbo of Catherine Montalbo, Personal Image Consultant
	17. Or Do You Want To Be Independent I started my firm at age 37, after a successful 14-year career in print journalism. I worked from home for the first two years before opening an office in Downtown Detroit. One of my best lessons was that it is equally important to be a good businessperson as it is to be good at what you do, which allowed me to last 7 years in Michigan's profoundly tough economy. I love the challenge, the variety, the independence and the capacity to empower others that comes with entrepreneurship. Thanks to Darci McConnell of McConnell Communications, Inc.
	18. Maintaing My Frame Of Mind Remarried with 5 kids, it's essential that I walk my talk! The way I think determines my life's experiences. I need to have a grounded Frame of Mind in order to not only manage but truly enjoy the responsibility and the gifts of a blended family. I am an entrepreneur because it is my chance to create without limitation. It allows me to be what I want and covey that to the world! The income I earn is a direct reflection of me. I can be present for my family, myself and everything else around me. Thanks to Kim Ades of Frame of Mind Coacing inc.
	19. Mom Empowering America's Children I was a full-time mom for 13 years. When I was 44, my husband lost his corporate job of 26 years. When that happened, we decided that it was time to take control of our future so that we would never be faced with this situation again. I began the work to launch Revved Up Kids, LLC in spring 2009; and we incorporated in summer 2010. We are now working hard every day to empower children to avoid predators. I'm proud of all we're accomplishing and I know the future is bright for our company. Thanks to Allison Neal of Revved Up Kids, LLC
	20. The 40- (plus) Year-old Entrepreneuse At 46, feeling stagnant & unintrigued by working so hard for another's bottom line, I left my job as Senior & Food editor of a regional magazine. Used to hiding behind a closed door, writing, I yearned for more human interaction. I'm getting that & more as a PR pro—& experiencing immense satisfaction, pride & fun—building a business w/a woman 22 yrs younger. The days are demanding, but maintaining a steady list of clients amid the constant (but +) distraction of 5 kids, is extremely gratifying. Thanks to Dawn Elyse Warden of The Whole Enchilada PR
	21. Discovering My Calling At Forty-Something At 40, I walked away from a multi million dollar business I founded to start over and do something more meaningful. Now, at 47, I am inspiring people to be more eco-concious. My latest venture, EcoPlum, is an online destination that makes it fun, easy and rewarding to go green. I'm thrilled to be reaching people all over the world with the important message of reusing resources and reducing waste. My kids have become environmental stewards in their schools, and hopefully others will follow suit. Thanks to Gia Machlin of EcoPlum
	22. Zero To $200 Million In the process of divorce, Nancy took her children and with no child support or other source of income, moved 70 miles, started her own business and built it from scratch to approx. $200 million in assets under mngt. In 2007 Nancy sold her practice. She is now a national speaker and coach to help business owners do a better job for their clients and improve their bottom line. She has been a guest on several live TV and radio call in shows. Nancy’s first book will be available in early 2012. Thanks to Nancy Butler of Above All Else, Success In Life And Business
	23. What We Don't Do For Our Children? Oh The Places I'll See And And The Experiences I'll Have, If I Surrender To The Journey. I started my business on my kitchen table in order to supplement my teacher's salary and provide my mother with work as a depressed returning to the workforce 50 year old coming through a divorce. These were my goals. Who knew where I was to wind up. This notion of having a business serve its employees and its customers became the foundation of my company's mission and the reason for its success. I coming from the world of education had much to learn about business. What did profit mean? Thanks to Julie Auslander of cSubs- Subscriptions Simplified
	24. Cool Garments For Hot Women I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was life changing. I looked at my career path and thought I wanted to do something that lets me give back and become an entrepreneur. I reduced my work load to part time while my health recovered and started researching my business ideas. After facing the challenges of cancer, becoming an entrepreneur seemed very doable. I knew if I was experiencing severe night sweats millions of women were also. I saw a problem and a solution and I chose to become the person to make the garments that would be the problem solvers! I started my business Haralee.Com Sleepwear at age 51 with no experience in the fashion, manufacturing or distribution fields but a commitment to help women get a better night sleep! I made a commitment to have all my manufacturing done in the USA as well as buy all or as much as possible of the raw goods to produce my garments. My goal from the start was to employ as many friends, neighbors, and local business as possible. I am devoted to keep my business dollars in the USA and support the USA economy. Because breast cancer had such a profound impact on my life, our company gives a percentage of every sale to breast cancer charity. Thanks to Haralee Weintraub of Haralee.Com Sleepwear
	25. Car Chicks Level The Playing Field For Women Buying Cars We started Women's Automotive Solutions while in our late 30s, after working 20+ years of in the male-dominated automotive industry. We saw so many smart, successful women feel intimidated and frustrated by the car buying process and the lack of respect from car salesmen. Tired of working 80+ hours a week in Corporate America, we dedicated ourselves to empowering women in automotive negotiations and to make car buying easy and fun. Ironically, over half of our clients are men. Thanks to LeeAnn Shattuck of Women's Automotive Solutions
	26. Designing For The Forgotten Woman In founding Sympatico Clothing, I was guided by two aims: To create stylish, comfortable clothing using sustainable methods and materials, and focus my designs around the needs of the 40+ woman—a demographic largely ignored by the fashion industry. This is not my first foray into such work. After operating a cottage industry from 1978-1995 producing natural fiberwear, I designed uniforms and created costumes for a regional theater—experience that has helped shape my collection. Thanks to Rose Gerstner of Sympatico Clothing
	27. My Journey To Success Is Fueled By Faith I have a distinctive spirit of determination. Never afraid of failure, giving my all to that which is important to me has always been such a natural part of my internal wiring. After working in the Criminal Justice arena for over 20 years, at age 45, I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey. Rife with challenges but filled with faith, I knew I had the intellect, insight and inspiration to be an excellent training facilitator. Success is always progressive...my faith fuels each step to the top! Thanks to Val McLeod of Conversations with V!
	28. The Sweetest Line Of Personalized Gifts, Stationery And Invitations I opened Shara’s Paperie in 2004 as a personalized gift shop for Memphis, TN. With the success of this store, my Confections line launched in 2008 on shopconfections.com to provide new designs and products. My business ventures began in my 30's and success followed throughout my remaining 30's. Entrepreneurship was important for me so that I could show my kids that moms can do anything and be successful. My passion for design is my driving force to continue growing my two companies. Thanks to Shara Danziger of Confections by Shara's Paperie
	29. Lights. Camera. Exposure! I don't particular like apples, but when I do eat them I prefer the green ones (granny smiths) especially while brainstorming at 4AM in the morning. At age 31 I started my first business, The NY Film Exposure Network/NYFEN. Like many small businesses, there were tremendous challenges due to lack of business development skills. Fast forward many years later, I decided to become a solution for small businesses by starting Apples & Oranges Public Relation. I am now helping small businesses succeed. Thanks to Amore Leighton Black of Apples & Oranges Public Relations
	30. When Will It Work For You? I started my business when I was 48. I waited 20 years to become a Professional Organizer. I wanted to start my business when my 3 children were older and I could have a more flexible schedule. In my field it takes about 4 years to be able to work full time and be "successful". Being a business owner allows you to use all your skills and develop new ones, allowing to you grow as a person. I enjoy the creativity, new relationships, challenges and variety of experiences that each day brings. Thanks to Julie Stobbe of Mind over Clutter

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