Seeds for success

Posted March 18th, 2008 at 6:56 am by Carolyn Kepcher, Carolyn & Co. Media

 6 Comments / Filed in: Trends & News

Being a woman in business is never easy. Being a mother is never easy. But trying to juggle both is particularly challenging.

I’ve been fortunate in my career. I was an EVP at the Trump Organization, working for one of the most famously demanding bosses in the world. I was also lucky enough serve as a judge with him on the TV show The Apprentice. But in addition to those roles, I also held a far more important position — mother to two young children. It’s because balancing work and life is so challenging that when I left the Trump Organization I decided to start a new company, Carolyn & Co. Media, which I co-founded with another female professional, Jen Marr. Our company’s first brand “fwm: finding what matters,” will launch later this spring and will help women like myself equip themselves with the tools and resources to find this elusive balance.

One of the best ways for women to find flexibility in their careers is to start a business themselves (which is, of course, one of the reasons I’m doing so myself). That’s why I’m thrilled to have been on The Today Show this morning announcing, in partnership with Yahoo! Small Business, an exciting grant program for women entrepreneurs.

With this program, we’re celebrating women business owners, and highlighting the opportunities available to them when they use the Internet to pursue their goals. Three women will each win more than $25K in cash and services, as well as mentoring from successful business leaders. The three finalists will “compete” to accelerate their businesses. The most savvy among them will receive a “bonus” grant of an additional $10,000, to be awarded in October.

Female entrepreneurs seem to be on the rise. There are more than 10 million women-owned businesses in the US today, growing at twice the rate of small businesses overall.

I hope this program and my personal experience helps inspire women of all ages and backgrounds — professionals, retirees, stay at home moms, recent college grads, you name it. Whoever you are, if you’ve dreamed of starting your own business, I hope this program helps encourage you to embark on that rewarding journey and to use the Internet as your partner. Thanks to Yahoo!, it’s easier and more affordable than ever to bring a business online.

For more details, read more here and check out the website.

Carolyn Kepcher
CEO and Co-Founder
Carolyn & Co Media/fwm:Finding What Matters

Tagged: apprentice, grant program, women, yahoo! small business

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6 Comments Add your own

Elizabeth Blome | March 18th, 2008 at 2:05 pm

I am a 46 yr. old, happily married (25 yrs.) mom of 3 children (22, 19, 16) and focused small business owner/creative self taught artist of 15+ yrs. I’m passionate about my work, but because God and my family have always come first, my business has grown slowly. I am pleased that it has grown from selling my pieces retail at local shows to now wholesaling my designs to gift stores throughout the US (retail sales in 2006, $125-130K). The biggest challenge I have struggled with is maintaining the balance between family and work (financially and emotionally). I have so many ideas but not enough hours in the day. My company has always been self funded, never wanting to be a financial strain on my family’s budget. With 2 kids in college and 5 drivers on our home “payroll”, I seem to have to spend more of my company’s earnings on home expenses, instead of re-investing into my company for growth. If I were given a grant, I would use the funds to support an idea I have had for years and bring it to life, without using my current operating budget. I would create a business plan which would include a web site and the publishing of a self guided gift journal. It would outline my past experiences of being abused by my father while growing up, and realizing I became the “Good of my Father” through hope. So many people are under the control of others, which result in various forms of abuse. By sharing my story, and giving people the tools to communicate and journal their own feelings, I truly know I can help others. At present, I give back to my local Child Advocates non-profit and will soon be in contract with our local Center for the Retarded to help assemble some of my products. I have even thought about becoming a non-profit, because my goal is not money, but it is a necessary evil. Currently, I design, create, sell, ship, invoice, and market/promote my inspirational handmade gifts all from my home office/garage studio. I pay road reps 20% to sell for me, but other than that, I am solo. I have not been able to attend the main gift show in Atlanta, GA due to being concerned I could not supply the customers with the product. That is frustrating for me as an artist wishing to share my God given talents and words of hope to others. Over the years, because the timing was not right with my family, I have had to stand by while some of my designs have been reproduced by others. I KNOW if I received a windfall I would treat the funds with care and use it in the areas which can promote my message (i.e. web site, better advertising, visiting with a marketing company (like you) for guidance). Additionally, my husband has stressed to me not to “hire” help. I feel if given the grant, I can obtain local people who wish to work. I know there are people who want to work, therefore, my designs would not have to go overseas to be massed produced. The designs could retain the unique quality of handmade while maintaining a competitive price point. I see firsthand how many people need to communicate their feelings and I believe so strongly that in this day of a paperless generation, written words handed down from generation to generation, will be a treasured gift to loved ones. My next step is to visit the Yahoo site that offers web site design, promoting, etc. Even if I am not considered for this opportunity to take my business to the next level, I think what you are doing is WONDERFUL and I know it will be successful. My 22 year old daughter is living proof of the strong woman one can become when a mother keeps her priorities straight like I have done. Carolyn, I wish you and your venture the best. When I look back at where I have come from and the obstacles I have overcome and where my life is today, well . . . . I am glad I have not given up, I am proud of myself. I would love some assistance , but if it is not meant to be, that is okay. EVERYTHING happens for a reason. Take care, I will be checking back to your site often. Sincerely, Elizabeth McAnally Blome

gag | March 18th, 2008 at 6:27 pm

interesting

“me gustas tu, what am i to you
my time is now, nas ne dagoniat
ah w noss, let it snow” n

Karli | March 19th, 2008 at 4:30 pm

Carolyn,

I saw you today on the Today show and I thought it was surely an answer to prayer. I had just been talking over ideas for a business out of my home the night before with my husband and then there you were! Inspiring me to be better and to go for it.

I am 25 years old, married for 4 1/2 years, and we just had our first baby two months ago. He is a dream come true and I am smitten with him and my husband. Such a blessing in my life. I am blessed to have been able to finish my undergrad before having children and to now be able to stay home with my son and have the opportunity of watching him grow on a daily basis.

I am very creative by nature and love scrapbooking, creating and selling canvases for people to sell in their home, and working out. I have lost 65 pounds since meeting my husband and fitness is a passion. My girlfriend and I have been tossing around ideas for out of home business ventures we could do together for a while and we’ve been narrowing it down lately. You inspired me to work hard and to apply for your grant. Even if it doesn’t happen, you’ve given us advice to work toward and some things we can do to get the ball rolling. You are doing an amazing service to women who have the hardest job of all…raising the future generations. Thanks for the work you do and for being just what I needed on a Tuesday morning.

Karli

brian | March 26th, 2008 at 10:21 am

you look great

Pascal Gillon BASc | March 26th, 2008 at 8:55 pm

Bonsoir Carolyn

Well done: the measure of someone, as I often say is not what you achieved or gained but what you did for your fellow man and woman.

I am currently a Mister Mom and do my “business” as I can (it is a free service quite known now in the USA and beyond!) and I can tell you that to have been in a “mum” position for three years would have taught me time juggling, energy moderation and to keep a cool head. Merci for being cool to people: you walk your talk

Au revoir

Pascal Gillon BASc

Pillow Sale | April 1st, 2008 at 7:10 pm

Sounds like a great program - kudo’s!

Good luck in your newer projects!

Stef
shopDOWNLITE.com