It’s the color of the season, the color of an open heart, and the new black – gratitude.

Never before in my life have I felt such an outpouring of gratefulness, generosity, and caring as I have witnessed over the last several weeks. Don’t know if I was just wearing the right clothes, or smelled just so, but I have had the pleasure of seeing some amazing things first hand. And, I feel glad from it.

Everywhere around us, we witness the world. Some of it can seem frightening. If you listen to the general attention monger media, you might conclude that we should all be in a constant state of fear.

But here’s the deal – fear is a state of mind, not an automatic reaction. When we open our eyes to beauty and miracles, we see that instead. Call me a rose-colored glasses wearing optimist, but hope and forward looking visioning feels better to experience. It gives me more strength of spirit to face the issues that need addressing and to take action. Fear cripples – hope and love uplift. Fear is a choice and it is not my choice today.

In honor of this elation and well…gratitude I feel for the wondrous and hopeful things I see around me, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite causes. If you have one you love, please list it in comments below so we can all know about the good work they are doing and how we can help.

Kiva.org – Microlending site: For as little as $25 you can provide much needed credit assistance to deserving entrepreneurs worldwide. Most entrepreneurs who use microlending are women.
RoomToRead.org – Literacy program started by ex-Microsoft executive, John Wood, that builds libraries throughout the developing world. Room to Read’s programs have reached more than three million children so far and hopes to improve literacy for ten million children by 2020.
WomenForWomen.org – Women for Women International provides women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency.
Charity: Water - Almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean drinking water. That’s one in eight of us. charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of public donations directly fund water projects.

We have the power within ourselves to create a world of peace, understanding, tolerance, and health. Thank you to everyone who is working toward this vision – know that many of us stand in gratitude for what you do.

Together, we are stronger!

Vicki Flaugher, CEO
SmartWomanGuides.com

Some of the most inspiring women in this world have what I call a “hidden light” syndrome. They have so much to give, so much creativity to share, and they don’t let others know about it. They shy away from the spotlight and are hesitant to be out front. They keep their brilliance a secret.

For those of you who are actually introverted, I am not pushing you to change your basic personality. I am classified, per all the psychological personality tests I’ve taken, a gregarious introvert. I know it sounds like a oxymoron, but it’s how I feel. I am able to interact fairly easily with someone once I get to know them, but I get energized being in small groups or by myself. Large crowds don’t work as well for me. I enjoy solitude and quiet time. I am a recovering recluse, too, but that’s a different story. What I mean to emphasize is that being an introvert is not a disease or a mistake. If it’s how you are, fine. Feeling shy or introverted is ok.

But, if you are actually not shy but are playing shy and hiding because of a lack of perspective and self-confidence, I am begging you to stop it today, because, contrary to some social programming, hiding isn’t noble. False humility is not honorable, hiding your gifts does not make you more pure, and pretending that people should simply read your mind and know how fabulous you are is a losing business proposition.

Harsh words, I know. I’m sorry if they pinch. But, let’s come to terms with the difference between arrogance and confidence. You don’t have to go out into the market place and hype yourself all up, making inflated promises, hawking your wares like circus goods. You do have to state, with an aware sense of service, what benefits you provide and how your unique expertise can help your clients.

Yes, there is a fine line between being enthusiastic about what you do and how you do it and pushing too hard with empty promises. That’s the key – the word empty.  If you can actually do what you claim to do, it’s not empty. It’s not dishonest so you don’t have to approach it like it’s dirty. The thing to remember is that the more people who know about you, the more your message gets proliferated, the more people you can help. It’s not a popularity contest but rather an opportunity to serve more, to do more good. Good PR is not about satisfying your ego – it’s about reaching people who need you.

How can you help create better PR if you are not yet comfortable with being in the spotlight? Here are some tips:

1.  Ask for testimonials from your clients and other professionals.

Let others speak the words that you feel are too egotistical to say yourself. It’s a great way to be in touch with your previous clients, maybe get some referrals, but also to let someone else toot the horn for you. Ask for feedback on your service, your expertise, your creative problem solving, your pricing, your unique offerings. It might surprise you just how powerful reading that feedback will be for you. It’s touching to know that you affect people’s lives and it’s a very effective marketing technique to use on your website, in your newsletter, in your promotional materials.

2.  Hire a copywriter.

The best marketing includes keywords, benefits, to the point copy, plus graphical emphasis like bullet points and short, direct sentences. Instead of being hindered by a lack of confidence, a hired gun will have a 3rd person, more objective viewpoint to start with. Most copywriters will work to pull out of you everything they can use to featue you in the best light. Let them. Find someone who understands your vision and where you want to go in your business and let them work their magic with words.

3.  Practice.

Sending out press releases or developing a strong introduction ditty (your “elevator speech”) can be a challenge, but it does get easier with practice. Devote some time to learn about promotional strategies, ask your social media network for advice, read some books. For PR opportunities, visit HARO to start offering yourself up as an expert to media. The media is hungry for new points of view and have a 24/7 news cycle to fulfill. Develop a decent PR release using this Press Release Builder template, and just do it. The funny itchy feeling will go away and you will get more business.

Please know that I have every confidence that you deserve to be recogized for your greatness. Hiding just isn’t the answer, so reach out, speak out, and let your light shine! Today, ok?

Together, we are stronger!
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman

follow me on Twitter: SmartWoman

I have had the pleasure recently to join a mastermind group and intend to join another. It has been a great experience so far and has already helped my focus, determination, and work output. I thought you might appreciate some resources to review this idea, to get you thinking about how you can benefit from joining in with others to build your business.

The articles are short and designed to give you a taste. It won’t take much time for you to plant the seed in your mind and let it grow. When you allow others in to help, the creativity and power grows exponentially. I regret that I have waited so long to do it, and encourage you to take action. I mean it when I  say – Together, we are stronger!

Passion For Business: What Is a Master Mind Group and How to Create?:

MasterMind Group Planning Guide ebook

Some Thoughts and Different Approches to Running a Mastermind Group

Evan Carmichael’s Mastermind Resources Blogsite

Tips by Wendy Maynard at Kinetic Ideas

Meet and Grow Rich: How to Easily Create and Operate Your Own “Mastermind” Group for Health, Wealth, and More Book by Joe Vitale and Bill Hibbler

by Vicki Flaugher, CEO of SmartWoman Guides

The last several weeks there have been some very interesting items coming out that I wanted to share with you. It’s fun to stay connected with a community, so check out these links and see if any of it appeals. Have fun!

Power People You Should Meet

 Ron Hudson’s 50 Most Influential and Powerful Women in Social Media

Check out the amazing group of women who are using their voices to live their passionate life!

200+ Internet Marketin Gurus on Twitter

Last I counted, there are actually over 500 people here. If you want to  learn about marketing on the internet, this is a treasure trove of talented people!

Contests

DotComSecrets Zero to $100 Million Contest

Free training and a charity drive, with the opportunity to win a Corvette and help kids in third world countries. Will take you step by step getting an internet business up and running. Yes, I said free to participate. Isn’t that neat?

Free Resources (Learning, Publicity, and more)

HelpAReporterOut.com

Free publicity service where you can respond to media inquiries for expert quotes and interviews to promote your business. Also, if you own a blog you are considered media, so you can solicit interviews to create original and interesting content for your site. I tried the service for one of my niche market sites, got dozens of very high quality responses, and they all sent me free promo copies of their books, DVDs, etc to review. Highly recommended.

UltimateBusinessCamp

Free teleseminars on Tuesday and Thursday for the month of October. Hosted by Tami Szabo and Ingrid Olson, designed to help women get educated and inspired. All you have to do is show up and listen in to the call. All the speakers provide discounted offers, but each session is substantial, not just a pitchfest.

 I’ll keep collecting more and add it to the list.

Together,  we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original  SmartWoman

follow me on Twitter: SmartWoman

Enjoy this 15 minute interview with mega-entrepreneur Evan Carmichael.

As my loyal readers know, I am a huge fan of EvanCarmichael.com. Since my first day of finding Evan’s entrepreneur resource site, I am been enamoured. It’s thoughtful, it’s jam-packed with helpful and relevant information, and it has the best interviews of historical and current day mega-entrepreneurs available. If you need inspiration and know-how, it’s a must see.

Imagine my excitement when the company’s founder, Evan Carmichael, agreed to an interview!

Evan is a down-to-earth, well-rounded man with big dreams and the smarts to make those dreams come true. We discussed his beginnings as an entrepreneur and how he has built his business to where it is today. He shared how he approached the development of the software company he grew, the marketing research methods he applied, and then how EvanCarmichael.com blossomed out of his original personal website.

I also asked Evan to be frank with my readers about the specific challenges and opportunities that affect female entrepreneurs today. Evan has interviewed dozens of successful women and I felt he would give us a fresh perspective. We discussed finding inspirational role models, and the value of leadership and high self-esteem. We discussed the need to share and support each other in the entrepreneurial community. And he also told me where he hopes to take his business next.

Enjoy the interview and go visit Evan’s site. You won’t be disappointed!

Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman

It’s essential, as the lead visionary entrepreneur of your business, to review the impact of what you are spending your time on and then prioritize the most leveraged activities first. Here are some suggestions to help you make some shifts to improve your business:

1.  Do an inventory of your highest use skills: Does it make sense, if you are an expert at business consulting, for you to be programming websites? No. Does it seem a smart use of resources for you to learn how to program websites from scratch when the genius high school kid down the street can already program circles around you and needs a summer job? No, no, no.

Start releasing your need to have your fingers in everything. Build a team of  people you can rely on. Trust people who know better than you. There is nothing wrong with outsourcing your weaknesses. Your lesser skills are not a disease. They don’t need to be cured. Play to your strengths only. Those skills are your specialty–insist on utilizing your highest skill.

2.  Reduce your availability: It’s a myth that human beings are capable of multi-tasking. If you are having to apply your creativity to create a proposal that has a looming deadline, it doesn’t help for you to hear every ding from emails coming into your inbox, your cell phone ringing, your pager going off, and your latest training seminar flowing out of your computer speakers.

You need to shut it all down and focus. Check your email mid-morning after you’ve had a few hours to get some work done. Let your calls go to voicemail (with the ringer turned to mute) and return calls at specified, limited times of the time. Chunk your time so that you can focus on one important task at a time. One of your chunks might be “miscellaneous to-do’s” so you can catch up on all your loose ends, but don’t intertwine them all together. It negatively impacts the quality of all of your work.

3.  Know your rhythms: If you struggle to do analytical thinking first thing in the morning (or at least until you’ve had 2 cups of coffee), don’t. You will make more mistakes and your task will take twice as long. If you are sharp as a tac in the morning but at 2-4 pm you can’t focus anymore, don’t plan meetings where you have to be “on” during that time. Be honest in your evaluation of yourself and your preferences. You didn’t choose to be an entrepreneur to limit your choices. Live and work the way that fits your personality best.

4.  Dump the meetings: Traditionally, face-to-face meetings have been a requirement. Salespeople would go to cold calls where they had no clue if they were even welcome to be there at all, let alone could hope for a sale to close. But go they would. It’s very old-school and it is not automatically the only way to do business. It’s often the least productive way.

Same goes for employee meetings.  Ask yourself if a face-to-face is really the only and best way. If it’s not, do something else. Don’t let travel and perceived tradition restrict your productivity. Try webinars, tele-conferences, phone calls, video conferencing, IM and maybe even don’t have any “check-in” at all. Let your employees impress you with their initiative rather than report in on their compliance.

5. Systematize and automate: If you are doing the same task over and over, the same way, in the same circumstance, figure out a way to systematize or automate that task. Computers totally shine in these circumstances. Email autoresponders, automatic downloads, sales scripts, order entry checklists, outsourced virtual assistants, website FAQ’s (frequently asked questions) and interns work great. Use them. It’s fun once you make the adjustments.

I know I might sound harsh. I also realize that these suggestions fly in the face of traditional approaches.  I can own that. But, there is a method to my madness.

Why do I feel so strongly about this? It’s because I know what you are capable of, the  brilliance that is there to be tapped. Playing small does no one any good. Fully stepping into the best use of your best skills can literally revolutionize your world. And my world. Our world. Start today examining what you can leverage so that we can all enjoy the wonderful fruits of your labor. Please? Pretty please? 

Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman

My Favorite Books About Leveraging and Outsourcing

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

This book made a huge difference for me in organizing my office, desk top, filing system and my focus. It’s an gentle read with practical, step-by-step processes to help you get going and keep going more productively.

 
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

I’ve recommended this book before–it has changed my entire work philosophy. Don’t let your skepticism stop you from embracing the idea that you can design and live the life of your dreams, with time to do as you will and deep job satisfaction too. 

                                       Be sure to check out Tim’s blog entry about “Time Bind”

Sometimes you have to make your commitments out loud, to an audience of supportive people, to make their outcome real. My goal with today’s post is to review our first month together and make my commitments to you for the upcoming month.

In our first month, over 1300 people have visited SmartWoman Guides!  I had my first interview and also had the pleasure of interviewing Chris Brown about being a female entrepreneur. I’d like to double our number of visitors in June, so would you help me spread the word? It would be much appreciated. The more, the merrier, right?

For June, I already have two exclusive interviews scheduled with some heavy weight entrepreneurs (I’m keeping their names a surprise until reveal day!). My goal is at least 4 interviews this month. If you know someone who would be inspiring to our audience, and/or if you’d like to be presented here, please contact me.

At this point, our community here has been visited by women in the United States, Russia, Korea, Japan, the UK, Taiwan, Canada, Australia, Austria, and Germany. My goal is to facilitate an international community so I wholeheartedly welcome the women around the world who have joined us here. Thank you for visiting.

For June, I’d like to add 10 more countries. I intend to add an international post weekly and am looking for female ambassadors from every country who could report to us on her country’s progress in supporting the goals of women entrepreneurs. Is that you? If so, please contact me.

In May, I provided the 50 Female Resource Sites listing, the Emerging Woman Entrepreneur’s Top 10 Questions to Ask (and Answer) Workbook, and a free Your Internet Cash Machine book sampler from Joe Vitale and Jillian Coleman Wheeler.

In June, I will provide more free resources and training, at least one write-up per week. I will also be adding more free articles, at least 3 per week and I will continue to recommend great websites every week. Please contact me with the specific types of help you need, as it’s important to me to give you what you need the most.

In June, I will begin releasing a weekly newsletter. It will include special bonuses and product reviews that give you a deeper look at the resources available to you as a female entrepreneur.

I am developing a Web Traffic 101 Study Course, a beginner’s guide to creating web traffic and I’ll be adding free monthly teleseminars so you get the chance to talk with me live with your questions and issues. I will announce the first teleseminar date later this week.

Thank you to all of you who have made me feel so welcome. As always, I am available if you need me.

Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman

p.s. Watch for an upcoming Female Entrepreneur Makeover contest as well…do you know anyone who could use that? If so, keep your eyes peeled for the details!

Sometimes I run across a website that literally takes my breath away. It is so well done, with such good information, that I just am impressed to the point of being speechless.

I found such a site at EvanCarmichael.com

EvanCarmichael.com offers motivation and strategies for entrepreneurs in an easy to navigate format. I firmly believe that you could start and run a business soley with the information you gain from Evan’s site. Ok, maybe you should keep reading SmartWoman Guides, but I think you get my point. It’s amazing!

You’ll find famous entrepreneurs throughout history profiled, more than anywhere else on the web. Modern, current day entrepreneurs and small business owners are there too, like Oprah, Donald Trump, and Sir Richard Branson. I would be shocked if you didn’t find something (many things) to inspire you.

You’ll find articles, forums, expert authors, business resources, and so much more. I got word today that you’ll be seeing SmartWoman herself (yes, ME, can you believe it?) as an expert author very soon.

This site gets thousands of people visiting every day, so it would serve you to go visit and get involved (and add your own website link) to one of their forums. You deserve to be on the same page as Oprah, don’t you? Of course you do!

Here’s more about Evan in case you want to know who you’re dealing with. If you scroll down to the bottom of his “About Me” page, you can see him doing a mean salsa too! I love entrepreneurs that enjoy Life,  don’t you?

So, if you want high quality information, and tons of it, about being successful as an entrepreneur and small business owner, go visit EvanCarmichael.com today…now.:-)

Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman

p.s. There are specific forums for women entrepreneurs too. Enjoy!

Listen to SmartWoman Vicki Flaugher interviewing Chris Brown, the owner of Marketing Resources and Results, Inc. and one of the top female bloggers in the marketing and branding arena at BrandandMarket.com.

This is a 9+ minute interview.

I asked Chris to discuss her entrepreneur journey and her view of both the advantages and challenges of female entrepreneurs in the marketplace. She offers insights about the power of networking, the need for a leadership mindset, and gives suggestions other women can implement to achieve even greater success. I  found her to be thoughtful and inspiring.  

Please go check out Chris’ website. She is a remarkable resource and a devoted advocate for female entrepreneurs.

Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman

I have hit the motherlode! Yes, I am a google freak, but this is just the beginning. I am sincere when I tell you my goal is to unify the field for women entrepreners. We deserve to have great information, easily accessible. We deserve to be united. We deserve the best of the best. I am starting to make a dent in that goal…

I have added descriptions, some of my own assessment, and others from the websites themselves, to help you choose which ones are most applicable to you. I personally have visited and investigated these and feel comfortable recommending that you should too. (The quotation mark are placed to show I took, in fair use, the descriptions from the sites themselves, not to signify anything else.)

Check out all these blogs/sites/articles, and the massive amount of business, marketing, advertising, and entreprener guidance they have to offer. It’s like gold! (Be sure to mark this entry to return to it…it’s going to take some time…)

1. http://jenniferkushell.wordpress.com/ From the website: ”Your Success Network – is focused on creating the #1 online universe that arms emerging adults across the globe with the most trusted tools and resources needed to achieve success in their lives and careers”
2. http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/ From Pam, the owner’s, bio: “Pamela Slim is a seasoned coach and writer who helps frustrated employees in corporate jobs break out and start their own business.”
3. http://investinwomen.wordpress.com/ Per Leah Oviedo, the owner: “On this blog I will post stories and organizations that will empower women to live successful lifes…by linking with quality websites that Empower Women and with Business Services by Women for other entrepreneurs.”
4. http://bettersalesprofessional.com/ Sales and marketing tips for entrepreneurs. This site owner, Barbara, is “A sales veteran…(with) a proven, 25+ year track record of selling into enterprise level and small-mid market accounts”
5. http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/ Seth Godin is one of my uber heros–great stuff–he is a world class bestselling author, and champion of permission based marketing. Many books, founder of Squidoo, MBA in business, and very straight talking. I have a professional crush on him.
6. http://theunknownentrepreneur.wordpress.com/ I just like how honest and raw this man is about his entrepreneurial journey–I find it inspiring. From his about page: “Why do we lose so many Entrepreneurs? The Simple answer is because we all either forget or just do not appreciate what risks Entrepreneurs take in trying to make their “Dreams a Reality”. “
7. http://www.wowowow.com/ An amazing, star studded, power grouping of women having conversations about life and the modern women. Candice Bergen, Whoopi Goldburg, Leslie Stahl, Peggy Noonan, Marlo Thomas, Lily Tomlin, and others discuss politics, business, sexism and more.
8. http://leighhouse.typepad.com/advergirl/ The author says “I am a 30-something brand strategist located deep in the delightful Mid-west. After I help clients tell clear, compelling brand stories at work, I log on to Advergirl to be part of the conversation shaping our industry and our economy.”  IMO, this women IS the industry. It’s great stuff.
9. http://www.b2bemailmarketing.com/ From the About page: “BeRelevant!, founded on February 8, 2005, is a weblog that covers email marketing best practices. Each and every one of the articles, tools and resources that are featured on BeRelevant! have been carefully selected based on their value and uniqueness.”
10. http://www.blogwriteforceos.com/blogwrite/ From Debbie’s bio: “Debbie Weil is a corporate & CEO blogging and social media consultant, sought-after speaker and author” She is a responsive, intelligent entrepreneur that is full of wonderful advice on how to turn your blog into business.
11. http://www.brandeo.com/ From the website: “Brandeo is a weblog dedicated to keeping you up-to-date on marketing ideas, trends, strategies and solutions to make your job easier and to help you get better marketing results.”
12. http://brandandmarket.com/ From her website: “Branding & Marketing is written by Chris Brown for business professionals who want to learn more about marketing and branding strategies and tactics.” Chris has been very responsive to me and I look forward to working with her empowering women.
13. http://www.ck-blog.com/ Under her FAQ page, CK says “I cover a wide range of marketing topics including strategy, social media and socially responsible marketing. I work to communicate best practices through a range of examples that include the really smart and the really not-so-smart. While most every post is focused on marketing, no day is ever the same.”
14. http://overtonecomm.blogspot.com/ Social media, branding, and reputation marketing. Fresh voice, lots of info on how communication can help (and hurt) you.
15. http://www.conversationagent.com/ Top ranked marketing blog with Valeria Maltoni, focusing on how modern businesses and entrepreneurs can shape the conversation they have with their clients. Branding, social media, and the importance of story. High powered stuff!
16. http://ringblog.typepad.com/corporatepr/ From the website: “…commentary on the theory and practice of public relations and organizational communications from Elizabeth Albrycht.” Elizabeth has amazing credentials and the blog is easier to read than that description implies…theory is good when you are shown applications and that’s what Elizabeth does.
17. http://customersrock.wordpress.com/ Why Becky blogs: “.. Everyday, both as a businesswoman and as a consumer, I have thoughts and ideas as I walk through the customer experiences of services and products.  I want to share those thoughts and ideas so more companies can learn how to take on this “customers rock!” attitude for themselves.”
18. http://bloombergmarketing.blogs.com/bloomberg_marketing/ “An approach to marketing that’s fun, bold, and savvy, but always strategically aligned with your brand’s objective” Social media focus with Toby Bloomberg.
19. http://www.womensnet.net/ Grants and funding resources for women entrepreneurs. Also includes a business and social networking blog to meet like-minded women and get your questions answered.
20. http://www.hiyaahpower.com/ The website’s stated mission: “Hiyaah Power …was created to serve as an online conduit of information for women. Information includes the following topics: professional development (for profit and non-profit), holistic counseling and healing resources, and news on leading edge organizations that expand a woman’s empowerment base.
21. http://wendy.kinesisinc.com/ Says Wendy Maynard: “I am the co-owner of… a creative firm specializing in marketing, branding, graphic design, and website development…I have so many ideas floating around in my head about both offline and online marketing strategies, that I wanted to share them. Thus, this blog (Kinetic Ideas) was born.”
22. http://getgood.typepad.com/ About Susan Getgood, the author: “A results-oriented strategic marketer, Susan knows how to build brands using technology, policy and good old fashioned high-quality products. In 2004, she founded GetGood Strategic Marketing Inc. to help bring blogs into the mix as an indispensable marketing tool.”
23. http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/tag/michael-cheney/ I love Michael…he’s so enthusiastic,, and Yaros has much to say. “Down to earth advice for bloggers and internet marketers”
24. http://midlifecrisisqueen.com/ An often humorous look at the mid-life crisis journey, interwoven with psychological insights and advice. Fun and indepth posts about a wide range of female interest topics. A fiesty 50-year old counselor with an attitude. I like her!
25. http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/startherup/archives/138518.asp “A blog for women in Startups – what they do, what they face and why it’s different than men. Told through the eyes of Alyssa Royse, who is running a venture-backed startup of her own.
26. http://www.nafe.com/?service=vpage/1474 National Association for Female Executives, founded in 1972 and committed to the advancement of women in the workplace.
27. http://www.score.org/women_resources.html LOADS of female entrepreneur resource links at this location. Per the website, “SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).”
28. http://avirtualbiz.wordpress.com/ Terri Brooks, a female entrepreneur and professional virtual assistant, talks about life and work and “provides remote administrative, financial and creative support to busy professionals.” Very heartfelt, inspiring, and encouraging site for women entrepreneurs.
29. http://www.copywritingmaven.com/ By Roberta Rosenberg, “The Copywriting Maven”,  whose blog “shares tips, techniques, reviews and cranky commentary”. Fun and very informative reading.
30. http://www.womensventurefund.org/ Mission Statement: The Women’s Venture Fund is a non-profit organization that helps women of diverse backgrounds establish thriving businesses in urban communities.  WVF offers training, small business loans, and a network of business advisors to help women reach their business goals.
31. http://cloud9design.wordpress.com/2008/01/16/woman-owned-business-resources/ Journal by a work at home Mom who makes eco friendly clothing–this particular link is a listing of many female focused entrepreneur sites.
32. http://www.internationalentrepreneurship.com/Women%20Entrepreneurs.asp?pid=3 International Entrepreneurship’s resource links for women entrepreneurs worldwide. Very helpful stuff for those in the US as well as all around the world.
33. http://www.womeninpower.com/home.asp “An online community for entrepreneurial woman to connect and create.” It’s creator, Erica Combs, is the Vice President of Golden Mastermind Seminars, Inc. and an internationally recognized speaker, author and trainer.
34. http://www.womenpower-radio.com/ Internet radio station with programs hosted by Raven Blair Davis.  Raven is a recognized speaker, coach and trainer. Her mission is to assist women over 40 in discovering and pursuing their true passion and dreams, despite their age and any perceived limitations.
35. http://www.womenpartner.com/ Women Consortium website–great info, but it may be a little slow loading…be patient.
36. http://www.womensvoicesforchange.org/ Women’s Voices for Change is a news, commentary and opinion website that celebrates women’s health, beauty, wisdom and vibrancy. We’re here to remind the world how vital, versatile and powerful women over 40 are.
37. http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/ This site is dedicated to the women who have ruled since the beginning of times – or as long as the sources date back
38. http://psdblog.worldbank.org/psdblog/2008/01/attention-frien.html World Bank site that focuses on private development and a market approach to development thinking. This links to the Doing Business project.
39. http://debnyberg.blogspot.com/ A place for women in business to be made aware of business opportunities as well as new products and events effecting online business development.
40. http://drwright.blogspot.com/ A blog written by Dr. Letitia S. Wright, D.C. – host of the Wright Place TV Show, Co-Author of the Power of Mentorship for the Woman Entrepreneur and the Producer of the Power of Mentorship Movie.
41. http://empowerwomennow.com/news-women-entrepreneurs/ The Entrepreneur and Small Business Owner’s Internet Branding Line-up with Ponn M Sambra.
42. http://inspired.entrepreneur.com/ One of the man cool blogs sponsored by Entrepreneur magazine.
43. http://www.getentrepreneurial.com/ A small business blog dedicated to providing business advice and resources to our community of aspiring entrepreneurs.
44. http://www.julielenzerkirk.com/index.nhtml Julie Lenzer Kirk harnesses her experience as a successful and award-winning IT entrepreneur to assist others in realizing their dream of entrepreneurship and taking their already-established entrepreneurial companies to the next level.
45. http://mindpetals.com/blog/2006/11/20-hot-resources-for-women-entrepreneurs/ Mind Petals  put together a great list of resources for women entrepreneurs. “Women entrepreneurs are doing big things in the world of entrepreneurship, helping to shape the new direction of technology, innovation, and startups.”
46. http://elizabethpottsweinstein.com/ You’ll find essays on being a working mom, tips about opening your own business, time management strategies, book and product reviews, and updates on Elizabeth Poss Weinstein’s business & life.
47. http://realwomen.wordpress.com/ The REAL Women site is an online community for Rising Entrepreneurs And Like-minded women whether practising or aspiring to run their own business.
48. http://www.weblogmv.com/ A Professional & Personal Development Blog for Entrepreneurial Women – Creating a Space for Success in Your World!
49. http://www.blogher.com/ The community for women who blog. BlogHer’s mission is to create opportunities for women who blog to pursue exposure, education, community and economic empowerment.
50. http://icanhascheezburger.com/ (This site is to renew your humor—the creator of this blog just got a national publishing deal with a $300,000 advance to write about how he made this blog into the success it is today…he makes tens of thousands each month….and it’s hysterical! Check it out and have a laugh on a brilliant idea!)

When you explore and post to these, as you see fit, tell them SmartWoman sent you. Please be sure to post your feedback about the sites here too.

Let’s connect with others who are working for the same goals we are!

Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman