When it comes to building, running and growing your own business, our Council Members have learned a thing or two. Whether you are just starting out or are more established, entrepreneurship is not without its ups and downs. Starting a business on your own can be a challenging, exhilarating, exhausting, and yet incredibly rewarding experience

In honor of Women’s History Month, the NWBC Council Members would like to take the opportunity to share – in their own words – some valuable tips, insights and inspiration to what has enabled them to reach the levels of success they never thought possible.

Deborah Rosado Shaw
Founder of The Rosado Shaw Group, LLC
You’re never alone. Connect with others. Reach out. Test your ideas. Explore all the many resources that are available to you. Don’t forget to take a moment to celebrate you and all that is yet to be.

Marsha Firestone
President and Founder of Women Presidents’ Organization
Be honest in all that you do and say about your company. Integrity is the most important aspect of starting and running a successful business.

Jen Earle
CEO of the National Association of Women Business Owners
How did I know I could do it? I didn’t know, but I knew I had to try. Keep going even if it’s not in the same direction you started out.

Whitney Keyes
Founder and CEO WK Productions
It’s okay to fire a client occasionally. A bad client can cost you time, resources and energy that are just not worth it. Look for yellow flags: is your client rude to a waitress? Does the client constantly question your billing rates? You need to earn what you’re worth.

Sherry Stewart Deutschmann
Founder of LetterLogic
Value your employees above all else, and in turn they will value your customers, and your customers will value you. Be confident in yourself. Believe in yourself. Believe in your idea. Don’t focus on what you don’t have; focus on what you do have.