Three Ways Your Small Business Can Invest in Social Good

So you own your own business and you're looking to give a little back all the while maintaining a solid profit margin? Open Forum shares three ways small business are investing in social good.

1. Partnering with Non-Profits
2. Raising Funds Creatively
3. Promoting a Company Philosophy

Read more about who is doing what here: http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/technology/article/3-ways-small-businesses-are-investing-in-social-good-alexander-hotz

How To Make It In America: Entrepreneurship 101 Recap

Photo via LoveShot

How to Make It in America is a fast-paced, fun look at how two handsome guys from New York City with nothing in their pockets set plans in motion to build a clothing empire. Everything seems to fall into their laps; they know the right people, kick it in the right scene and know how to charm almost anyone. However, it's not reality.

In early March, Ladies Lotto New York kept it real with guests at Entrepreneurship 101: A How-To Guide For Starting Your Own Business. Start-up savvy experts from the worlds of law, fashion and marketing were tapped to share their experiences with guests interested in a side project or doing a complete 180 and venturing out on their own. Ladies Lotto's panel provided guests with the basics everyone should know about starting a business.

Women-owned firms contribute nearly $3 trillion dollars to the U.S. economy and they maintain 23 million jobs.

The night kicked off with lawyer and founder of the Fridman Law Group, Iliya Fridman. Fridman urged everyone to find out which type of corporate entity works best for ones business. It is important to be financially protected no matter what business venture you're involved in or else you could take a personal hit. However, don't let this be a hindrance. "In order to grow your business you are going to have to take many risks. Don't be afraid to fail," says designer, Vanessa Webster. A strong base is necessary for good and bad times.

While the business world seems to be dominated by men; senior marketing director, Fradel Barber pointed out that "[according to the National Women's Business Council] women-owned firms contribute nearly $3 trillion dollars to the U.S. economy and they maintain 23 million jobs." So, if jumping into the start-up pool seems scary; you're not alone. There are many women just like you who had an idea; wanted financial freedom or an alternate revenue stream who are running successful businesses.

Even the women responsible for moderating and setting up the event have strong entrepreneurial inclinations. Moderator, Mara Ingram left the marketing realm for a new career in real estate where she sets her hours and knows her revenue stream is solely determined by her drive -- and she has lots. Currently, events associate Jessica Usenbor works for a retail chain. However, she's building skills that will help her transition into a full fledged event manager.

All of this business talk made me wonder about the women of Ladies Lotto. I found myself asking what compelled the entrepreneurs in Ladies Lotto to start businesses and what advice they could offer other members. So, I called Julia Werman, co-founder -- with her sister Nina -- of Valley, a one stop shop for nails, waxing and skincare.

Business is hard no matter how fun.

Juila Werman, Valley

What did you do before your current venture?
Prior to starting Valley with my sister, Nina, I was a social worker in New York for 10 years. But I decided I wanted to do something different. I traveled and was in South America for six months. Nina just moved to New York City and was trying to figure out what she wanted to do too.

Why did you feel the need to start your own business?
[Nina and I] come from an entrepreneurial family. We're passionate and ambitious but we didn't like working for others. Valley was not our first idea. We had a brainstorm one night and thought about going to LA but none of us really wanted to be there. I remember getting waxed in South America and how much I liked it compared to getting it done at spas in the U.S. In South America they use the hard wax. We wanted to be a little different so we decided to add clothing and accessories.

What are a few things every LLady should know about being an entrepreneur?
Don't be naive. Business is hard no matter how fun. It's important to realize [owning a business] is not all about freedom. You don't always have time to yourself; it's 24/7. It felt lonely the first year because friends who didn't own businesses didn't understand. If you are a small business owner you are everything; CEO, payroll and even janitor. Also, it can be hard to work with relatives. [Nina and I] have agreements written up to keep the business and personal separate. There are so many things I wish I had been told.

Starting your own business can be extremely rewarding. However, you can't be in it to win it if you don't even know how to get started. If the thought of starting your own business still excites you, click here to learn more about Ladies Lotto's Entrepreneurship 101 speakers and get valuable tips.

Tune in tomorrow for the full length video of Ladies Lotto's Entrepreneurship 101 event.

Entrepreneurship 101

Entrepreneurship 101 is designed to educate New Yorkers about the logistics of starting their own business. Despite the challenges of today’s economy, many small business owners are flourishing. The women of Ladies Lotto are natural leaders and innovators within their chosen industries, many of whom are at this very turning point in their careers. Guided by a panel of start-up savvy experts, participants will learn how to turn their passions and skills into an official business.

The Entrepreneurship 101 panel will include a business attorney, a representative from a successful break-through startup powerhouse, an accountant, a thriving designer, a freelancer, a marketing guru, and more.


Entrepreneurship 101: A How-To Guide For Starting Your Own Business
Tuesday, March 9th 2010
7pm

287 Spring Street
New York, NY 10012

RSVP: RSVPNYC@LADIESLOTTO.COM

$25 NON-MEMBERS (pre-pay) http://tinyurl.com/llny3-2010
$15 MEMBERS

SPACE IS LIMITED, PLEASE RESERVE A SPOT BY PAYING IN ADVANCE.

A Woman's Worth - $3 Trillion Bucks!

Women business owners have a MAJOR impact on the economy. $3 Trillion bucks baby!

In her article on Huffington Post, Ladies Lotto member Adelaide Lancaster writes

"Apparently the independence we women entrepreneurs seek is coming at a big price. The benefits of entrepreneurship are driving more women than ever into self-employment, yet the financial rewards necessary to make this trend stick, still elude most of us.

In October the Center for Women's Business Research published the first ever study on the economic impact of women business owners in the US.

The following data were rightly heralded by many media outlets as a great triumph:

* There are approximately 8 million women-owned businesses nationwide

* Women-owned businesses employ 23 million workers (16% of total US jobs)

* Women business owners account for approximately $3 trillion dollars of total economic impact

Pretty impressive stuff."

We are definitely impressed. What's rather alarming is that regardless of this MAJOR economic contribution, women are STILL getting shorted! Read more from her article HERE.

And we highly recommend spreading the word to raise awareness and DEMAND MORE!

Money Matters: How to Finance your Business during a downturn

If It were only that simple

We all know that trying to start your own business is no joke. No one ever said it was going to be easy, sure it will be fun to see it come to life, then be rich and famous on top of that would be the best thing ever. But before we start to get ahead of ourselves, question. Where the hell is that money coming from? While you are still trying to pay for rent, transportation, get your food going (i.e. top ramen) and look good while doing it all. Here is something that will help you pull it all together.

Tuesday November 17th 6 - 7:30pm

Hear from various lenders about the different loans and financing alternatives they offer and how you can qualify.

-Accion USA
-BOC Capital Corporation
-NYC Financial Network Action Consortium
-Project Enterprise
-The Local Development Corporation of East New York

Register Online at www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/business or call 718-623-7000 option 4



Check it out ladies. Can't look like this guy right here. We don't need a job, when we are running the business.

Recycle Reduce Reuse Like Rayne

"Summer Rayne Oakes graduated from Cornell University —an entomologist and environmental scientist by training. In 2000 in the midst of her studies, Oakes embarked on a journey of cause-related modeling and innovative sustainable design/development projects to push sustainability issues through fashion and media, a position which earned her the name of “The Eco-Model ”. In addition to this, Summer Rayne is now a spokesperson, resident expert, and youngest Board of Advisors for Planet Green , Discovery Network’s new eco-lifestyle network that launched June 4, 2008 to 50 million households.

Oakes’ work spans multiple disciplines, all of which are deeply imbued in environmental issues. Her studies in waste management, organic contaminants & environmental health; mine reclamation; rainforest regeneration; invasive species; landscape impact analysis; sustainable development; and aquatic entomology and stream water quality overlap with her environmentally-relevant, values-based modeling , for which she is largely recognized. In February of 2009, she’ll release her first book, style, naturally: the savvy shopping guide to sustainable fashion and beauty published by Chronicle Books."

Continue reading on Summer’s website

Summer Rayne Oaks is in the spotlight for Ladies Lotto New York meeting. As the guest speaker of the eco friendly business themed event April 22 in New York she will talk, discuss and inspire around the important topic if integration of business with an eco-conscious lifestyle.

Don’t miss this, ladies!

Host: Ladies Lotto’s own eco blogger Tara St. James (Covet, LLNY)


Wednesday, April 22
7:00pm – 9:00pm

Hooligan Studios
177 N10th Street Unit B
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Catering by Rabbit Mafia
Beverages by 44 North

LA: Girls With Grillz on 7/30

lllajuly4, originally uploaded by imelectric.

LA always knows how to combine business and pleasure. Join the LLLA girls for some grillin' and hear from business owner, Adriana Rodriguez, of Sugar Salon.

Wednesday, July 30th
8-11pm

Sugar Hair Salon
3022 West Sunset Blvd.
Silverlake, CA 90026
323.666.7000

Free drinks from 10 Cane Rum

*This event is BBQ ready, so ladies bring your own food for the grill.

Feel free to invite your girls!

RSVP: rsvpla@ladieslotto.com

LLSF Next Week - Merging Tech and Fashion

Have a business idea you'd like to develop?
Wanna get inspired?

Ladies Lotto SF would like you to meet Bianca Kramer, founder of Rue Inc. She'll be sharing her experiences merging tech and fashion from a ladies perspective.

Thursday, July 31st
7:30-10pm
Brick
1085 Sutter Street

RSVP: rsvpsf@ladieslotto.com

Seattle - Got Good PR?

Never underestimate the power of press and its impact on you and/or your brand. Please join Ladies Lotto Seattle for an in-depth exploration of the topic. Public Relations expert Natasha Avery of Edelman PR will be discussing how to publicize in a smart way.

The meeting is open to all, so bring your lady friends and pass it on!

Thursday, July 24th
7-9pm
See Sound Lounge
115 Blanchard
Seattle

RSVP: rsvpseattle@ladieslotto.com