Entrepreneurship

"For years women have subsisted on what we have been given, variations of things men respond to. Just spray paint it pink and women will love it, right?" — Sheila Kelley

Loren Ridinger ON Entrepreneurship

Senior Vice President, Market America & Shop.com

Q: What’s your best advice for an entrepreneur in an early/bootstrapping phase? Or in a growth/need to ‘now scale’ phase?

A: 1. Hire young, inexpensive, hungry people who are willing to work and are full of energy. 2. Focus on function. Know how you want to get from point A to point B and how to do it. 3. Strategize, plan. There’s no success without a strategic plan no matter how much or little funding you have. You have to figure out if ... READ MORE »

Bobbi Brown ON Entrepreneurship

Founder & CCO, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Q: What’s your best advice for an entrepreneur in an early/bootstrapping phase? Or in a growth/need to ‘now scale’ phase?

A: To me, the most important step to success is to follow your dreams and passions. Have a vision of where you want to see yourself and figure out a course to take you there. Don’t take no for an answer and if one door closes, look for a back door or a side door or a window. If you believe ... READ MORE »

Rayah Levy ON Entrepreneurship

Director & CEO, ArtéQuesta

Q: What’s your best advice for an entrepreneur in an early/bootstrapping phase? Or in a growth/need to ‘now scale’ phase?

A: My best advice for an entrepreneur in the early/bootstrapping phase is this: Be clear on your vision and DON’T GIVE UP. No matter how great you KNOW your idea is, you will face hundreds of closed doors. It is part of the process. Even if things take off in the beginning, at some point, it will get hard. Stay committed ... READ MORE »

Julia Hartz ON Entrepreneurship

President & Co-founder, Eventbrite

Q: What’s your best advice for an entrepreneur in an early/bootstrapping phase? Or in a growth/need to ‘now scale’ phase?

A: Take the time and care to pick the right team. Find your weaknesses and then hire into those areas with people you believe in and trust. Give them the responsibility and ownership over their areas of expertise. That is the secret to getting an idea off the ground and sustaining a great company. READ MORE »

Melissa Meyers ON Entrepreneurship

President, Melissa Meyers

Q: What’s your best advice for an entrepreneur in an early/bootstrapping phase?

A: Hire people who are willing to take some risks and commit the time necessary to a start-up. Be clear about expectations up-front, especially in terms of hours and responsibilities. Hire people who can invest into some equity so that they feel like an owner and have skin in the game. Hire slowly and fire quickly. Train interns. Assemble a multi-disciplinary ... READ MORE »

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Anu Duggal ON Entrepreneurship

Founder, Female Founders Fund

Q: When I stepped down as President of a company after 9 years in that position, it was quite emotional. If you have ever sold, folded or needed to leave an organization you helped (or did) start, what was that experience like for you?

A: I recently had an experience with my own company where I made the decision to resign at a point at which there was a great deal of momentum (we had just raised $16M). However, there were decisions being made by our new board that I did not agree with and this prompted my decision to leave. Although it was one ... READ MORE »