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My Favorite Entrepreneurial Tool–Deciding My SWOT
By Sheri McConnell

As the owner of four online companies, my job is to sit down every year and decide my SWOT for the next 12 months and then to consistently revisit my SWOT throughout each year and tweak as needed. I base my decisions on my experience and the emerging trends in the industries I serve.

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Last week I was working with one of my small business clients, a bright and dynamic woman who’s passionate about positioning her artisan business for growth. We were talking about her financial picture and forecasting robust sales over the next three years. (more…)

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”  Anais Nin

The other day my sixteen-year-old daughter came home from school practically in tears. Sensing her distress I gently inquired as to how her day was. With animated emotion, she began to tell me about the project she is working on in science class. She’s studying electricity and has to build an electric generator. She made it abundantly clear to me that she’s never felt “dumber“ in her whole life and she hates the project. (more…)

Sound familiar? More than 85% of women business owners feel overwhelmed much or MOST of the time (isn’t that staggering?), while at least 55% suffer stress related health problems, as well as major time deficiencies, and overwhelm associated with juggling too many life and career obligations.

Women business owners and leaders are dynamic, powerful go-getters … and, they’re over-scheduled, over-worked, over-stressed, usually over-weight, and overwhelmed. Continuing to function in this way is physically and emotionally destructive and leaves you feeling anything but dynamic or powerful. (more…)

“Good fences make good neighbors.” Robert Frost

I listened intently as my client described how lousy his past week had been. Up to that point in our work together his progress had been steady, and his energy level had gradually increased.  This week, however, he felt miserable, physically and emotionally. (more…)

I’ve noticed there’s a recurring theme with many of the small business owners I work with. You want to be “right” -either with your business partner, or in your personal relationships - often at the expense of your own peace, freedom and sanity. It’s a common human trait, I’ll give you that. In my opinion, this is a good area to reflect upon, so I offer you a juicy article I wrote in 2002 that SO holds true today! (more…)

“You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as WE are” -Herb Cohen

It all started with a perfectly innocent question from my husband. “Honey, can we compare our calendars, I have some things I want to schedule and I’d like your input?” Happily I agreed and pulled my chair up to engage in the conversation. (more…)

This month I’m focusing on a common pitfall every self employed woman can relate to - finding innumerable distractions to pull you away from working your business. (more…)

As a home-based, self-employed woman, mundane tasks can be as compelling to me as chocolate. Laundry. Dishes. Email. Try as I might to stay focused on running my business, at times, these uninspiring tasks beckon to me as a moth to a flame. (more…)

It’s been said that behind every successful entrepreneur is a passion - a passion to create, a passion to express, a passion to fulfill a dream. Do you know your passion? If so, good for you, If you don’t, I’ll bet my question generates a sinking feeling in your gut - like you’re missing out on some luscious gift every other entrepreneur experiences - but you. (more…)