I recently devoured my copy of The MavHERick Mind, one of the only books out there addressing the right mindset for success from a female perspective (and a female entrepreneurial perspective at that). So I knew I must interview the author Liz Pabon.
First I wanted to know why a book from a female perspective was needed. Are female entrepreneurs THAT different?
"Having worked with female entrepreneurs for the past five years I can tell you the biggest difference is the way we view business. For many female entrepreneurs their business is an extension of who they are, which means they treat their business and those that support them like family. Relationships are of the utmost importance and while we’re in business to reap the monetary rewards we honor and value our support structures. Female entrepreneurs tend to march to the beat of a different drum not necessarily following the “traditional” model of business building. Collaboration, and inclusion are as much a part of the business model as strategy."
Guilty as charged. I call my businesses, my product launches, even my blog sites, my babies. If that isn't making the business part of the family, I don't know what is.
And what, does Liz Pabon feel, is our biggest mistake?
"I don’t view it as a mistake so much as a challenge and that is striking a balance between the heart and the mind. Many female entrepreneurs are motivated and led to help others and do so at the risk of compromising the growth potential of their business. It’s an interesting, and sometimes maddening, catch-22. On the one hand, female entrepreneurs treat their business like a home-away-from-home yet when all the signs point to trouble making the switch to business owner and cutting losses immediately (if necessary) is a challenge. Female entrepreneurs often use a “lets wait and see what happens” approach with high hopes and good intentions that a bleak situation will turn around. Sadly, this only makes matters worse (in most cases) when a swift and clean break was the best tact."
Oh dear, yep, wait and see is my approach also.
All this week, we'll be talking with Liz. Can't wait until tomorrow to read more? Check out her blog http://www.mavherickmindblog.com/ .