Starting your own business is one of the most empowering things you’ll ever do, especially if you’re a woman. It’s also one of the most challenging. This is something that author and entrepreneur Melina Druga knows only too well. Her new book, Enterprising Women: A Practical Guide to Starting Your First Business aims to help aspirant women entrepreneurs to overcome some of the initial hurdles and challenges that can prove the hardest in the early months and years.
Entrepreneurs often only talk about their successes, but the truth is every business struggles in its first several years with half of all businesses failing within the first five years. The causes of failure vary. It could be something as simple as not having enough cash flow to cover the bills, or something more complicated such as an entrepreneur’s own inner demons. Still, other business owners suffer from “if you build it, they will come” syndrome. They believe all that’s needed is to create a website and customers will start knocking down their virtual door. Others suffer from the employee mentality, where they are used to having a steady salary, benefits and a boss giving them instructions and can’t function without that structure. No matter the cause, the struggle is real. Often, entrepreneurs suffer in silence, wondering what they have done wrong and lamenting where their dreams have gone. So, author Melina Druga provides some helpful guidelines and tips on how to move from making the decision to startup a business, to taking it to the next level and turning those dreams into reality through hard work, determination and a sound business plan. In the book she covers everything from turning the original inspiration into a framework for a business, writing efficient business and marketing plans, naming and running your business, financing and legalities, taking care of yourself as an entrepreneur and dealing with stress and burnout.
Author Quotes
Running a business takes hard work, persistence and dedication. It’s how you handle difficult situations that defines you. True entrepreneurs handle adversity with grace and ease. Your business succeeds or fails based on the performance of one person – you.
Often, entrepreneurs suffer in silence, wondering what they have done wrong and lamenting where their dreams have gone.
Many women dream of successful business ownership; few achieve it. The business world is, in many ways, still an all-boys club, but don’t let that dissuade you. If you’re smart and plan, the sky’s the limit. This guide will inform you of everything that’s involved in starting a business and help you to determine if you’re an enterprising woman.
About the Author
Melina Druga is an author, freelance journalist and the owner of an editorial business. When not working, Melina enjoys yoga, photography and spending time with her friends and family. She is also a historian with an interest in the time period 1890 to 1920.
Website: http://www.melinadruga.com
Why LoA loves it….
Enterprising Women: A Practical Guide to Starting Your First Business is a basic guide for planning your first business. It’s an indispensable how-to for any woman wanting to go into business for herself. It covers everything from naming your business to being realistic, from finances to writing a business plan. This is a book for all those women who have always dreaming of started a business, but never knew where to begin. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa