In the greater Cincinnati/Kentucky area for a conference with my husband. Went to a great spa, Sableux. Lori – my manicurist – embodies the reasons why women are such incredible entrepreneurs.
Creativity – Lori has a fabulous idea for a mixed spa/retail format store. I love the idea, in large part because a spa/retail concept for women helps answer what I consider one of the world's large injustices: What is women's 'golf equivalent'? I've always been on the lookout for a time consuming hobby after years of witnessing mens' 4- to 6-hour weekend golf excursions. In the bank of the Cosmos, I figure women are owed a good 100 hours per annum.
– Common Sense – Lori has a master plan for herself which, at first, seems loose…but by the end of our conversation I'm realizing it's razor sharp. Her strategy for one of her business concepts is to build and exit. With her spa/retail idea she already has a logo developed, the professional experience, and the prototypes. She also has the plan for phasing into entrepreneurship. Did you know women default less often on business loans? Sound thinking like Lori's is one of the reasons why. (Search Wells Fargo -a pioneer in women's business lending – for more on this).
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Compassion and Caring – Have you ever noticed that women give a *@!% (fill in expletive of your choosing)? This is worth something. Biologically and neurologically we're gifted in this sense (more in future blog on this topic). Lori's entrepreneurial desires are founded in core values, not unlike Doris Christopher of Pampered Chef or Anita Roddick of the Body Shop (see previous blog post). Lori sees opportunity within a value construct, not the other way around.
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Intuition – Also another biological /neurological gift of women, intuition is a skill of Lori's. She applies this to everthing ranging from developing her relationship with her boyfriend's 3 children, to assessing the market for the custom ottomans she fabricates.
Here's to Lori who embodies the heart and soul of how entreprenuerial women are getting their visions off the ground today, and will make up the pool of the well-adjusted millionaires of tomorrow.