The Ms. Boss Report

The Affordable Care Act Or Obama Care Which One Do You Vote For?

2013-10-01T15:31:00.000-04:00

Six of One - Obamacare vs. The Affordable Care Act
This so sad. People don't even know what Obama care is. They just listen to all of the crap that the Republicans are saying and agreeing with them. Just look at this video and see just how uninformed people are. They just hear the name Obamacare and automatically it's a bad thing.
Jimmy Kimmel Live - Six of One - Obamacare vs. The Affordable Care Act Jimmy Kimmel Live's YouTube channel features clips and recaps of every episode from th...

When asked very real questions about the plan the fellow in the video agreed to Obamacare which is really the Affordable Care act. I would be really embarrassed if I were them. 33 million people without insurance and people are fighting against Obamacare. I bet you some of those uninsured are family members of the people in this video. I believe that the ones fighting against Obamacare are doing it because President Obama passed the law. Just a sad state of affairs.

You have an opinion that you want to put on video we would love to hear from you. Go on over to HerTube.TV and post your video.

Until Next Time
Make It A Great Day!
Audrey

What's Your Big Idea Workshop Scheduled September 28 @ The BizLynks Center In Duluth, GA

2013-09-16T17:27:00.004-04:00

I will be hosting a workshop on September 28 @ The Bizlynks Center in Duluth GA. The workshop is titled What's Your Big Idea? Here I will share with you the steps I took to invent the first plus-size fashion dolls. I will walk you through the process I used to raise money and help you start your process if you have a big idea that you are trying to launch. Seating is limited and the first 35 people to register will receive a swag bag that will include a copy of my new book What's Your Big Idea? The Ultimate Guide For New Entrepreneurs. To register go to http://www.WYBI.eventbrite.com

Making A Movie

2013-01-14T15:02:00.000-05:00

Hi Ladies. Hope you had an amazing weekend. I was just watching Oprah Life Class with Joel Olsten and it was great. About to watch Rick Warren now. Just wanted to reach out to you to say hello and to remind you about our upcoming auditions for the film Self-Made: Inspired By The Life And Times Of Madame C.J. Walker. For more info go to www.SelfMade2013.info. If you want to support the film or put your book or product in the movie go to www.SelfMade2013.com.

I want to be able to share my journey of completing this film with you. So let me just start off with what happened. We had our audition set for one place and I found out yesterday that the location will not be available. Instead of getting upset because I have such a short time to find a new place I kept the Faith that I would find a place. So I got up this morning and went into damage control. Secured a new location and we are all set.

The reason that I am sharing this journey with you is to show you that hard work, strategic moves and team work will help you achieve your goals for your life and your business.

Don't forget to check out The Ms. Boss Show & The Ask Audrey Show. I have some great guest coming on this year.

I have to go now and watch Pastor Rick Warren on Oprah.

Until Next Time

Make It A Great Day!

Audrey

Are You Living Your Life Or Someone Else Life?

2012-07-12T12:23:00.005-04:00

I work with a lot of people and I get a chance to see what makes a lot of them tick. 99% of them are living on someone else terms building someone else dreams. 9 times out of 10 they are miserable, but they continue to live this life because it's comfortable. Daring to believe that the life that they really desire can be the one that they live everyday. Too lazy to put in the work that it will take to live life on their terms not truly understanding that when you are doing what you love, you won't mind the work. They don't want to put in the time that it will take to change their mindset, because living life on your own terms means that you have to change the way you think about things. Fear of the unknown keeps them paralyzed even though they know that they can take the leap if they had enough Faith. But even their Faith is shook. So how does one go about living life on their own terms you may ask. Well I am happy to share with you some of the steps that I've adopted to do just that.

1. First you have to make a decision that you want to live a life that you truly love.

2. You have to pay attention to what your purpose is. Notice that I said pay attention. The reason being is because your purpose is already in you, but you haven't paid it any attention because it comes so naturally to you that you just do it without thinking about it.

3. You have to stop chasing money. As long as you chase money it will continue to run from you.

4. Don't try to please everyone, because you can't. Be true to yourself and know your worth.

5. Take some time to find out who you are. Until you do this and be completely honest with yourself you will always live on someone else terms.

6. Don't let envy or jealousy into your life. Don't compare yourself to others. No one is better than anyone else. You can have exactly what you want when you make a decision that you want it. When you make the commitment that you will do what you have to create the life that you want. When you remove envy and jealousy from your life.

7. Don't forget to pray and ask for guidance. This is the most important thing especially when you are struggling try to make sense of your life knowing that you want something different but just don't know where to start or what to do.

Life is short. Stop living on someone else terms and start living on your own terms!

Until Next Time
Make It A Great Day!
Audrey

Audrey Bell-Kearney is known as The Entrepreneur Mentor because she help people get clear about their business. Audrey is the founder of Ms. Boss Network and the host of The Ms. Boss Show which profiles business owners, business experts and authors. Audrey is also the author of I Have A Big Idea Now What: The Ultimate Guide For The New Entrepreneur and also The Ms. Boss Business Builder Blueprint. Be sure to join Ms. Boss Network by going to http://www.msbossnetwork.com

Motivate Yourself To Success

2011-09-12T20:39:00.000-04:00

The greatest reward success brings is self-satisfaction. Although we often assume that the accumulation of wealth is the only measure of success, it is but one measure. It is an important one to be sure, but true success is marked by the satisfaction of knowing you have done a job and done it well--that you have achieved the goal you set for yourself.

Einstein, for example, never attained great wealth in his lifetime. But could anyone say he was unsuccessful? Einstein reached the top of his profession and changed the world because he knew what he wanted to do and had a plan for achieving it.

How can you motivate yourself to succeed? The answer lies in following the same method Einstein and all other enormously successful people have followed. Develop a burning desire for something that you wish to have in order to reach a greater goal you have set for yourself. Remember, there is a difference between merely wishing for something and deciding definitely that you are going to have it.

Once you have that burning desire, you will develop an intensity of purpose that will allow you to simply brush aside obstacles that seemed insurmountable before. All things are possible to the person who believe they are possible.

Set yourself a definite goal in life. Write it down. Commit it to memory. Direct every thought and all your energies to making it come true. Instead of letting monetary setbacks throw you off course, search in them for the seed of an equivalent benefit which can help you get back on track to attaining your goal.

When Henry Ford began work on his first horseless buggy, less farsighted people many of his own relatives and neighbors laughed at him. Some called him a crazy inventor.

Crazy or not, Ford knew what he wanted--and had a burning desire to achieve it. He also refused to recognize any limitations. Lacking formal education or training as a mechanic, he simply educated himself. Nothing stands in the way of a person determined to reach a life goal.

Ford changed the face of America. His mass produced automobiles made transportation affordable for the average family and opened up the country. Whole industries grew up around the automobile: Without Ford's "Tin Lizzie," there would have been no need for a network of highways (and the jobs their construction created), service stations, fast food franchises and motels.

Another perfect example is John Wanamaker who began as a clerk in Philadelphia retail store. From the beginning he made up his mind he was going to own a similar store someday. When he announced this to his boss, the store owner laughed and said, Why, John, you don't have enough money to buy an extra suit of clothes do you?

"No," Wanamaker said. "But I want a store like this--or even a better one. And I'm going to get it."

At the height of his success, Wanamaker owned one of thee greatest mercantile establishments the country has ever known.

"I had very little schooling, " Wanamaker said years later. "But I acquired the education I needed the same way a locomotive takes on water--I scooped it up as I ran.

Remember, Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind of man can achieve. The person determined to attain success starts where he stands, making the best of whatever tools he has and acquiring whatever else he needs along the way. Start from where ever you stand today.

By Napoleon Hill

Until Next Time

Make It A Great Day!

Audrey

Want To Create Expert Status? Check Out These 15 Ways

2011-09-06T12:25:00.000-04:00

I just finished up the radio show and I talked about ways to create expert status. This post will include 16 ways to create expert status. Out of the 15 I've personally used 13 of the ways. You may know of some other ways that you may want to add and by all means go ahead and do so.

Write a book. This is probably the number one way to create expert status.
Write an Ebook. An ebook does not have to be as large as a book. You can start with 15 or 20 pages.
Write articles and have them syndicated across the web. Media people are always looking for content to fill their publication.
Blogging. You can use the same article that you wrote and add it as a blog on your site.
Publish your own ezine or newsletter. Make sure that the your publication has information that the user can use.
Create training videos. They don't need to be long. They just need to be filled with great information.
Start your own web- TV show. This gives you the chance to show your stuff live.
Host a show on your local cable network. By doing this you will be come a local icon. You never know who's watching.
Teach a class via a tele-seminar. This is so simple once you have decided what the topic will be. You can do it for free or for a fee.
Become a speaker. Start speaking on a local level first to get your feet wet. Once you've done that introduce yourself to organizations and let them know that you are available for speaking.
Start your own radio show. You no longer have be a show on traditional radio to become a talk show host. The internet has so many ways for you to start your own show and have it syndicated across the web.
Get booked as a guest on other people show.
Facilitate classes at an adult education center
Host webinars online which are visual classes
Host live seminars and workshops

These are some powerful ways to up your status. I must say though, that all of the ways listed are content producing. You must have power and engaging content to keep your audience interested and coming back for more. If can do this, they will be happy to share your information with their network. I do it all the time.

Until Next Time

Make It A Great Day!

Audrey

Live Your Own Life

2011-09-04T21:52:00.000-04:00

You will never find peace of mind by allowing other people to live your life for you.

The most profound fact concerning humanity is this: The Creator gave us the complete, unchallengeable right of prerogative over one thing, and only one thing--our own mind. It must have been the Creator's purpose to encourage us to live our own lives, to think our own thoughts, without interferrance from others. Otherwise we would not have been provided with such a clear dominion over our minds.

Simply by exercising this profound prerogative over your own mind and life, you may lift yourself to great heights of achievement in any field of endeavor you choose. Exercising this prerogative is the only real approach to genius. A genius is simply one who has taken objectives of his own choosing, without permitting outside influences to discourage or mislead him.

We all know stories about famous people who turned adversity into advantage, who overcame great obstacles to become rich and famous. They are the successful people who converted stumbling blocks into stepping stones. They become the geniuses of industry, the Henry Fords, the Thomas Edisons, the Andre Carnegies, and the Wilbur and Orville Wrights.

But there is a far greater number of lesser known mortals who refuse to accept defeat. They simply refuse to become one of the vast majority who do little more than eke out a living and experience mostly misery, disappointment and failure.

Many years ago, a young army veteran came to see me about a job. He told me he was disillusioned and discouraged; all he wanted out of life was a meal ticket, a place to sleep, and enough to eat.

He had a look in his eyes a sort of glassy stare that told me he thought hope was dead. Here was a perfectly capable young man who was willing to settle for practically nothing when I knew very well that if he changed his attitude he could earn a fortune.

There was something about him, an almost hidden spark that prompted me to ask, How would you like to become a multimillionaire? Why settle for a meager existence when you can just as easily settle for millions?

Don't joke with me, he replied. I'm hungry and I need a job.

"I am not making fun, " I replied. "I am dead serious. You can earn millions if you only are willing to use the assets you now have.

What do you mean, assets?" he exclaimed. "I have nothing but the clothes on my back!"

Gradually, over the course of our conversation, I learned that this young man had been a Fuller Brush salesman before he went into the army: While in the service he had done considerable K.P. duty, and had learned to cook rather well. In other words, besides the natural attributes of a healthy body and a potentially positive mind, his total assets consisted of the fact that he could cook food and he could sell.

Generally, of course, neither selling nor cooking will propel a person into the rank of mulitmillionaires, but this veteran took himself out of the ordinary walks of life. He was introduced to his own mind and the possibilities that existed when he took control of it.

In the two hours I spent with this young man, I watched him change from a person lost in a sea of"despair into a possibility thinker. He did it all with the strength of one idea. "Why don't you use your selling ability to persuade housewives to invite their neighbors over for a home-cooked dinner, then sell them all cookware?"

I advanced him enough money to buy some clothes and the first outfit of cooking utensils, then turned him loose. During his first week, he cleared nearly $100 selling aluminum cookware. The next week he doubled that amount. Then he began to train other salespeople who worked for him selling the same cookware.

At the end of four years, he was earning more than a million dollars a year and had set in motion a new selling plan that has since evolved into an industry in its own right. When the ties that bind a human mind are broken and a man is introduced to himself--the real self that has no limitations--I fancy that the gates of hell shake with fear and the bells of heaven ring with Joy!

I hope that you've enjoyed this reading from Napoleon Hill.

Until Next Time

Make It A Great Day!

Attention Hair Stylists: Stop Letting Money Go Down The Drain

2011-09-03T00:30:00.000-04:00

Every Friday I go and get my hair done. The shop where I go is unisex. The clientele is very good. I normally arrive around 8am and when I get there people are already in the chairs and some are waiting to be serviced. I am there for about two and a half hours and I watch people come in and leave. To pass time I normally bring a magazine to read, but today I brought a book which was boring, so I put it down and just sat there under the dryer and watched the people. Looking around the shop I realized that with all of the people that are in and out of the shop, none of the stylist or barbers were selling anything other than the service that they were providing. There were no retail products being sold by anyone. I thought to myself "WOW" they are letting a lot of money go down the drain. I also realized that no one was capturing the information from the clients that they were servicing. By information I mean email addresses to do email marketing or cell numbers to do text marketing. Again a lot of money going down the drain.

I started to wonder were these girls and guys learning about the business aspect of hair when they were training to become stylist, because when you look how most salons operate, there are no retail products being sold and there is no extra marketing being done. So what these guys have done is create a job for themselves and most without benefits, because small business healthcare is really expensive. The reason I say that they have created a job is because if they are not working no money is coming in. That's the equivalent of a job. If they were running businesses, they could take time off and still make money.

So being the entrepreneur that I am, I am now developing a marketing program for salons that will put a stop to some of the money going the drain. They could probably use the extra money that they would make to purchase a healthcare plan.

Until Next Time

Make It A Great Day!

Audrey

Ever Thought About Utilizing A Co-Working Space

2011-08-25T14:14:00.000-04:00

9 Advantages For Utilizing Co-Working Spaces

By Audrey Bell-Kearney

Working from home is a dream for a lot of people, but sometimes it can become a little lonely. I am speaking from experience, because I've worked from home for the past 13 years. In the past I've also held office space, the overhead was way too much for my small enterprise, so I ended up moving my operations back home. But over the last couple of years there have been a somewhat new option for the home workers who would like to have an office outside of the house without all of the overhead and expenses. It's called co-working. The first time I learned about co-working was in an article I was reading in a magazine. It talked about co-working spaces that were located in New York city. I thought this was really great and how nice it would be if there was something like this in New Jersey. Well little did I know that one of the women in my Savor networking group actually owned a co-working space. I've visited three very nice co-working spaces here in New Jersey where I am located. The first one was the one owned by the woman in my group, then there is one was on the campus of Kean University and the other one was located downtown Newark in a very nice office building. The best part about this office option is that you can decide on the fee structure that is good for you. So let's take a look at some of the advantages for considering moving into a co-working space.

1. Reasonable rates for the space.

2. Flexible space rental options

3. The company of other business owners like yourself

4. Meeting new people that you can assist and that can assist you with your business

5. Built in mastermind network

6. Shared fax and admin assistance

7. The use of the conference room either included in your package or rental for a very low cost

8. The use of training rooms at reduced rates

9. Nice, clean and professional settings

So these are some of the reasons to think about co-working spaces. I've decided to take space in one of the facilities that I visited because I need the use of a conference room and also I want to be in the company of other entrepreneurs like myself. Although being a solo entrepreneur is sometimes lonely, I wouldn't change my life for nothing and now with the introduction of co-working spaces I won't feel as lonely anymore.

Until Next Time

Make It A Great Day!

Audrey

Audrey Bell-Kearney is the founder of Ms. Boss International and the host of The Ms. Boss Show which profiles business owners, business experts and authors. Audrey is also the author of I Have A Big Idea Now What: The Ultimate Guide For The New Entrepreneur and also The Ms. Boss Business Builder Blueprint which is an Internet marketing program for beginners.

Audrey Bell-Kearney (57)

2011-08-01T19:19:00.000-04:00

Audrey Bell-Kearney (57)

Audrey and business partners at a meeting talking about the launch of The Young Millionaires Network and our Business Elite Service.

Power

2011-07-19T11:06:00.001-04:00

Click to Play

http://www.MsBossNetwork.com A quote from Alexander Graham Bell about Power. You have the power when you follow your dreams and never quit.

Redesigning Your Life

2011-07-14T20:01:00.000-04:00

I just recently returned home from vacation. On my way back with my family after taking a road trip to Georgia, we decided to stop over in Raleigh to visit with my cousins. While there my mom became ill and was hospitalized. I sent the rest of my family on home and I stayed in Raleigh with my mom who was in the hospital for 3 days. Between the long drive from Georgia to North Carolina and the time I spent in the hospital with my mom I had a lot of time to think about my life. I asked myself one key question, "Audrey are you living your dream life?" And to be truthful to myself, my answer was no. So I decided once I returned home I would write out what my dream life actually entailed. Once I had finished writing it all down I felt liberated. I felt free. I felt clear. I felt empowered. Now my next step is to start living this life that made me feel this way just from writing it down on paper. Time for me to redesign my life into the on that I envision. So I shared this with you because I wanted to know if you were living your dream life. I would like to suggest that you write it down on paper and I would love for you to share with me and the rest of the network what experience you had once you were done writing.

Thanks as always for being a part of this network!

Until Next Time

Make It A Great Day!

Audrey

Developing A Clear Vision

2011-07-06T11:21:00.000-04:00

So right now I'm in Georgia on vacation. I was just ear hustling in a conversation that my husband was having with his daughter. She is in college for fashion merchandise, but her real dream is to have a boutique. So me being who I am and believing that you should do what you love had to butt into the conversation with my two cents. So I wanted to share with you what I said to her about her dream of being a business owner and owning her own boutique. She wants a boutique so my advice to her was to:

First write out your vision. Make it so crystal clear that she can see what it looks like, smells like and feel like when she walks through the door.
Network with other stylists and designers, because this way she can fill her store with inventory without having to layout all of the money it would take.
Also network with hair stylists, especially the ones that do hair shows, because they always know fashion designers because when they do shows someone has to dress the models.
Create such an experience at her store that people will be willing to tell everyone they know
Don't try to be everything to everybody. Choose a niche market and develop that.

I hope that sharing with you what I shared with her you will find some value and can apply these same tips to your business.

Until Next Time
Make It A Great Day!

"Time"

2011-06-23T12:32:00.000-04:00

"Time" What are you doing with your time? Are you using it wisely to grow your business or are you wasting time on things that don't help you take your business to the next level. Successful people manage their time differently from unsuccessful people.

Enjoy the video and make sure to share it with others.

Until Next Time

Make It A Great Day!

Audrey

Starting A Green Candle Making Business

2011-06-14T13:58:00.000-04:00

I just finished up another episode of The Ms. Boss Show where I interviewed mother & daughter team Rochelle & Griffin Cummings. They shared how they are changing the environment with their green candles which are made out of soy. What I found so interesting about their partnership is that Griffin is a teenage entrepreneur. I am always excited when young entrepreneurs step up to the plate and realize that real wealth is built from the ground up. It is no doubt in my mind that if she stays focused on the business that she's started with her mom, we will see her and her business on the Inc. 500 in the next few years. Just like everything is going digital, everything is also going green. At such a young age she is not only learning how to build wealth at a young age, but also the importance of starting a green business to help us try and tame some of the damage that has been done to our world and make it a better place to live.

It was a great interview. If missed it you can still listen by clicking on The Ms. Boss Show tab above or by going to http://www.TheMsBossShow.com

Enjoy the interview!

Until Next Time

Make It A Great Day!

Audrey

Team Work

2011-06-08T14:04:00.001-04:00

Click to Play

http://www.LifeWithBenefits.net http://www.MsBossNetwork.com

Rochelle Cummings Shares How To Start A Candle Business

2011-06-06T22:56:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you know that I have a great show on tomorrow. Mrs. Rochelle Cummings will be sharing with us how she started her own organic candle business on The Ms. Boss Show which airs live at 9am eastern time. To call in with your questions or comments please call 347-945-7315 or tune in online at http://www.TheMsBossShow.com. I would love to hear from you.

Until Next Time
Make It A Great Day!
Audrey

Staying Motivated For Network Marketers

2011-06-04T16:51:00.001-04:00

Click to Play

http://www.MsBoss.net and http://www.LifeWithBenefits.net. So many times in the network marketing industry we lose our motivation. To keep motivation going watch inspiring videos, retrain yourself and stay around positive people.

High Expectations

2011-05-25T15:55:00.001-04:00

Click to Play

http://www.LifeWithBenefits.net High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectations.

Building Bridges

2011-05-24T11:23:00.001-04:00

Click to Play

http://www.LifeWithBenefits.net Live your life today and stop focusing on the past, but plan for the future.

Building Bridges Video

2011-05-24T11:17:00.002-04:00

Build Bridges For The Future

7 Of The Best Offline Marketing Tips

2011-05-24T09:59:00.000-04:00

For most small businesses they are always looking for ways to get the word out about their product or service. Today on The Ms. Boss Show I talked about a few that I wanted to recap here with you. I also included the show for you to listen to as well
1. T-shirt Marketing
2. Text Marketing
3. Sizzle Card Marketing
4. Newsletter Marketing
5. Sponsor Marketing
6. Rubber Band Marketing
7. Business Card With Picture Marketing

Listen to internet radio with Ms Boss on Blog Talk Radio

For more information on a great product for your text marketing service go to my 5Linx page http://www.5linx.net/l428445 click on the products tab and then click on Business Elite. This is a great tool when it comes to Text Marketing and Web Conferencing.

Until Next Time
Make It A Great Day
Audrey

Business Builder Workshop

2011-05-10T17:44:00.001-04:00

I'm really excited about the Business Builder Workshop that I will be facilitating starting on July 16th -Aug. 6. The workshop will walk you step by step on how to set up Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube account and best of all you will learn how to connect them all together thereby stream lining your business marketing. To register for this event now by clicking on the link http://businessbuilder.eventbrite.com

Why Women Entrepreneurs Should Go Global In China

2011-04-29T20:00:00.000-04:00

Posted by Cheryl Isaac

It all started with a conversation I had over lunch with my African entrepreneur friend, just before his flight back to South Africa to conduct business. “I just worry that it’s easier for the Chinese government to do business in other countries than it is for individual entrepreneurs to do business in China.” This from a guy who has transacted business in Hong Kong.

He was referring to recent conversation amongst global entrepreneurs and the blogosphere regarding what has sometimes been referred to as the “Chinese Invasion.”

There have been talks surrounding China’s expansion into South America, and also allegations of unfair business ventures in Africa, where according to some economists, China “hoards African resources.”

I immediately thought of Internet mogul, Google. Google caught its fair share of misfortunes when it branched to China about five years ago. In a country where dot-coms had no successful track records, the Internet guru’s ambition to go global in China was met with setbacks; mostly due to government regulations.

My first question to him, “what about women entrepreneurs with plans to go global? What do you think about the local business climate there for female entrepreneurs stepping out into the global Chinese market?”

His response: a mere shrug.

Chinese entrepreneurial success is frequently highlighted in America: Entrepreneurs You Meet In China, Young Chinese Entrepreneurs To Watch, China’s Young Entrepreneurs Abroad. But what about the non-Chinese entrepreneurs wanting to partake in the success?

It’s estimated that by 2015, there will be 500 million people under 30 in China, and these young people are starting businesses. According to Fortune magazine, China has the highest number of the world’s richest people under age 40.

Last year it was reported by Credit Suisse that the income of their 20-somethings grew by 34% in three years. So I decided to learn more about women doing business in China.

I was immediately drawn to a statement made at the 2010 Business Mulan Annual Conference hosted by China Entrepreneur Magazine. Li Yifei, chairwoman of Vivaki (a part of the Publicis Groupe Greater China) was quoted suggesting that women entrepreneurs in China would be better off choosing the sectors in which they have a “natural advantage.” Media, advertising and fashion were a few mentioned.

What does this female natural advantage mean? If anything, the statement sounded condescending. I was a little distressed at this type of message being sent out, that in order to succeed at business in China, women should flock to a certain field.

While these industries are worthwhile, it is insulting to imply that women can only start or run a certain kind of business. I kept delving into the issue and ran across this: profiles of the richest self-made women in the world. And the article states that 11 of the top self-made women are from China! Bingo!

And no, these women are not targeting sectors where they have a “natural advantage.” They are running technology, manufacturing and professional services businesses. China also has micro-financing initiatives to help women-owned start-up companies.

The Tianjin Women’s Business Incubator is one provider of such financing. The Tianjin Initiative is backed by the city government, Australia (although I’m not sure how Australia was included) and the United Nations Development Program. Program officials state that the program has helped over 10,000 women start-up businesses.

Another astounding piece of statistical data: at the Global Summit of Women in Beijing, it was reported that there are more women entrepreneurs in China than the entire United States population at 300 million. Perhaps there is a reason to ponder the growth plans of China after all.

The country has an increasing rate of young entrepreneurs (who are studying American business giants like Bill Gates and Michael Dell), its women entrepreneur base is increasing at a fast pace, and they’re quickly developing initiatives to foster more entrepreneurship.

Women Doing Business in China: I was still pondering the question: what about non-Chinese women wanting to do business in China? Then I ran across an important initiative that showcases China’s plan for women in business. This U.S. and China collaboration: The US-China Women’s Leadership Exchange and Dialogue (Women-LEAD). Just recently announced by U.S. Secretary of State Clinton and China State Councilor Liu, the initiative will seek to expand the dialogue between Chinese and American programs that seek to empower women and foster cross-country women business development.

It’s official! The “sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits” is coming together. And you know what that means. Watch out for China! My only hope is that the opportunities available for Chinese female entrepreneurs doing business in America or abroad will also be the same available for American or foreign female entrepreneurs going global in China.

Jamba Lands Star Franchise Partner: Venus Williams

2011-04-25T16:04:00.000-04:00

Jamba Juice announced that tennis star Venus Williams has joined the company as a franchise partner and will help the brand enter the Washington, D.C., market. James White [9], chairman, president, and CEO of Jamba Juice [10], told QSR in an exclusive interview that the Williams family had been fans of the brand in their native California, and that Jamba has been in discussion with the camp for the last year about a partnership. “The D.C. marketplace was a high priority for us because of the makeup of the consumer opportunity that we saw there,” White says. “We thought that Venus would be the ideal partner; she epitomizes, from our vantage point, a person that leads a healthy, active lifestyle. She’s one of the most recognized athletes on the planet, so we couldn’t think of a better partner to enter the D.C. marketplace with.” The deal with Williams calls for five stores in the next two years in the D.C.-Maryland market. The first store is slated to open in the summer. White says the D.C. marketplace will be used as a launch pad for further East Coast growth, and that the brand has plans to grow in Connecticut and Boston. In the meantime, Jamba Juice plans to promote health and wellness activities through Williams’ D.C. stores, White says. Williams, who has won 41 Women’s Tennis Association titles and seven Grand Slams in her career—and whose sister, Serena, is also a tennis star—was looking for entrepreneurial opportunities, White says. A mutual acquaintance of Jamba Juice and the Williams camp introduced the two parties.

“I have been a long-time fan of Jamba Juice and its mission to help inspire and simplify healthy living,” Williams said in a statement from the company. “Regardless of the venue—whether I am on the tennis court or on an interior design project—keeping fit and eating healthy are critical to ensuring I maintain peak performance. “Jamba offers a fantastic line-up of tasty, better-for-you products that I can feel good about eating. I am excited to be a part of Jamba and, through that partnership, to be bringing a healthy lifestyle brand to the D.C. metro area that can offer others an easy way to maintain their focus on staying active and eating right.” White says Jamba Juice is a good fit for athlete partnerships because of its healthy, active brand image. Former National Basketball Association star LaPhonso Ellis is a franchisee in South Bend, Indiana, and the brand has a partnership with the Women’s National Basketball Association, as well. “It’s a business [athletes] understand, it’s a product they love and use, so it’s a natural fit for us to have this kind of relationship with an athlete like Venus Williams,” White says. There are no plans for Williams to act as a spokeswoman for Jamba Juice, White says, but he expects the relationship with the tennis star to grow in the coming years.

By Sam Oches