support – Bonnie Ross Parker

The heart of a woman is as big as life. She initiates conversations with strangers in the bathroom.

She recommends the perfect place to find the perfect dress to a woman she meets at the beauty salon. She clips coupons to send to her daughter-in-law. She smiles when she would rather scream; cries when she is happy and often says “yes” when she means “no”.

A woman keeps the refrigerator full just in case someone stops by unexpectedly.

A woman fights for what she believes in by supporting community endeavors with both time and money. She listens to friends, helps with homework and gives unconditional loves.

Women cry over their children’s accomplishments, during a romantic movie, while reading sentimental cards at a card shop or when opening a special present. Women openly express happiness when hearing about the birth of a baby, an engagement or a marriage. Women share their emotions from their heart.

Women remain strong even when they think they have no strength left. They comfort loved ones in mourning, visit friends and family who are ill, and offer hugs and kisses to soothe broken hearts. Simply put, women connect!

They write letters, make phone calls, send e-mails and stay in touch. Women care!

Women are present wherever and whenever they are needed. They intuitively know where to offer their love and support.

Women do more than give birth. Where a woman is there exists joy and hope. She brings compassion and companionship. She gives moral support. She acknowledges. She reassures. Women are mothers, daughters, wives, lovers, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers.

They give, they guide, and stay grounded. They are amazing not only for what they accomplish, but for the values they impart. Women earn our respect every day not only because of what they do, but because of who they are.

Let me know about some amazing women in your life…

The Entrepreneurial Woman In The Marketplace

Who is she? She is empowered, enlightened and enterprising. She exudes energy, enthusiasm and confidence. She has embarked on a journey and created a mission only she can fulfill. She’s a risk taker. She connects. She collaborates. She gives back. The entrepreneurial woman will not be denied. She deserves success and takes pride in her accomplishments. She sets the standard of excellence in all that she does and in all that she is. She endures.

The entrepreneurial woman is unstoppable. She does it all. She creates. She markets. She promotes. She shares resources. She supports other like minded individuals with her ideas, her time, and her talent. It requires courage to be an entrepreneurial woman in today’s marketplace. There’s no fall back. No pay check. No employee benefits. No paid vacations. It’s you, your products and/or services, vying for consumers in an already established economic environment. It’s possessing the fortitude to differentiate yourself from everyone else by finding a unique way to be memorable.

In the early 80’s after completing my 12th year in the teaching profession, I left to pursue my entrepreneurial dream and purchased a franchise. Everyone thought I was crazy. A typical comment was, “How can you give up your career, vacations, benefits, etc to owning a retail business? You’ll have to work year round including weekends!” No one and nothing could persuade me. I was ready. I was determined. I was tired of someone else directing my life. I wanted control even if that meant long hours, hard work and facing the unknown. Twelve years later I owned 6 franchises and became the Regional Director with responsibility to oversee 22 other stores.

I look back on those years with huge satisfaction. I went from school teacher to entrepreneur. I went from a single pay check to multiple streams of income. I proved to myself and those who doubted my determination that I could meet the challenges and survive. I know firsthand what it takes to break away and go out on your own. I know the amount of faith it requires. I also know the rewards that come from doing what you really want to do even if it means following unfamiliar roads to travel an uncertain journey.

The entrepreneurial woman in the marketplace is doing better than surviving. She’s thriving. She’s unique. She’s a gift. She’s a person who endures. It serves us all when we pay attention and support the entrepreneurial woman economically. She takes her tasks seriously, often under promises and over delivers and shows us what is possible by her example. If you are an entrepreneurial woman, congratulations! If you are considering “stepping out on your own”, go for it! I for one am eager to support you, your talent and ideas. I believe others will, too.