Becoming an Entrepreneur 

It used to be that getting a real job—working for someone else and collecting a paycheck every two weeks—was the easy and safe route. But with 26 million Americans out of work or underemployed, it’s pretty obvious that’s no longer the case.

Starting a business, which has always been perceived as incredibly risky, now looks more doable and desirable than ever before. My 2011 mission is to help other women launch and grow their small business dreams through my new Spark & Hustle program.

I have a keen interest in entrepreneurship ever since I founded Women For Hire, a women’s career expo and recruiting company 11 years ago. I had no funding, no backers. It was just me with a spark of an idea and a lot of hustle.

When the recession hit, after thousands of traditional 9 to 5 corporate jobs disappeared, attendees at our events began to ask whether I planned any event to teach women to start their own businesses from home – or ramp up existing ones.

Last July in Atlanta, I kicked off my first Spark & Hustle for current and aspiring women entrepreneurs. Some 200 women spent three jam-packed days with me listening to more than 20 speakers talk about everything from using social media to jumpstart your business to tactics on how to better sell, market or publicize your product.

If you’re thinking about starting your own business, here are some tips:

• Don’t reinvent the wheel. The best ideas are often the tried and true ones that are already successful now. People love cupcakes, so why invent a new dessert type? You don't have to think of the next Google or Zipcar; it’s okay to do your version of what's already being done. Career fairs are a dime a dozen but what made Women For Hire special was that it had a new spin: women only. I created a multimillion-dollar business. Revolutionary? No. Successful? Oh yes.

• Chuck the business plan and do a one sheet. Don’t try to guess what your revenue will in five years. Focus on what’s real right now.

• Narrow your niche. Pinpoint your customer. Instead of saying your product or service is ideal for “all women” or “all children,” determine who you’re really targeting. When you know who you must reach, it’ll be easier to market and sell.

• Pursue clients, not capital. Getting clients or customers, not capital, is the best way to fund your growth. Your sales skills are key -- even though it’s the element of business that women like least. Develop a style and strategy that works best for you since you’re the chief salesperson of your new venture.

• Think creatively and conservatively. Don't get ahead of yourself. Sure, you'd love your own commercial kitchen to whip up your cookies, but there’s no way you can afford it at this stage. Instead, contact a church to use its space during off-hours. Find smart solutions for what you need with little to no cash. Use interns and tap a network of advisors in person and online. Barter on essentials. Use social media to build a following instead of buying advertising.

• Dreaming is good, doing is great. Stop stalling and start doing right now. Success is not determined by where you went to school, your specifics skills and experience or by how much money you have in the bank. Your success will be determined by the decisions you make and the specific actions you take every day. It boils down to hustle. When you start hustling, you’ll see great results.

Interested in joining us at any of our eight Spark & Hustle conferences this year? Go to www.sparkandhustle.com . I am offering KDers a $100 discount off the $495 cost of attending any of the three-day events. Just use code KD — and I hope to see you there!

Visit womenforhire.com for a wide variety of career-related information and videos geared to working women, and an online job board that helps leading employers connect with top-notch professional women in all fields.