We have gathered four successful female entrepreneurs who have inspired us. Hopefully, their quotes and stories will give those of you who are starting out, some inspiration in these challenging times.
Photo by Linda Brooks (Left: Susan Hable Smith, Right: Katherine Hable Sweeney)
“You don’t need to be big or have lots of money to market a great brand.” -Susan Hable Smith, Hable Construction, www.hableconstruction.com
When the company launched in 1998, the sisters had about $10,000 in credit between them and no formal business plan. Their product line initially consisted of hand beaded silk pillows and fashion accessories. Susan and Katherine showed their wares at trade shows and got their big break when discovered by high-end retailer, Barney’s. Today, Hable Construction produces fabric lines represented in five interior design showrooms worldwide.
They have products placed in over
150 retail stores nationwide, including their own retail store in New York City's very chic West Village.
“Quantity then quality then
viability” -- Rebecca Minkoff of Rebecca Minkoff Handbags, www.rebeccaminkoff.com
“I was clueless about handbags in the beginning,” she recalls. “I overpaid for samples and I had a hard time keeping the quality and fabrics consistent.”
Today she has worked out the kinks and now sells her beautifully-made bags to stores like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Henri Bendel. Rebecca attributes her success to her obsession with the phrase “Outflow equals inflow.”
“Be true to yourself, believe in what you do…Be aware of
what’s around you, but don’t be distracted by it and stay focused on your goals
and dreams.”-- Stacy Morgenstern Igel, Boy Meets Girl® by Deesh, www.boymeetsgirlusa.com
Stacy Morgenstern Igel is actually living her childhood dream of bned and made by hand out of her apartment. She had no partners, and no outside funding. ecoming a fashion designer and entrepreneur. She started Deesh in 2001, with a few t-shirts she desig
Boy Meets Girl® by Deesh now enjoys a very large customer base.
The line has been seen on many fashion-forward TV shows such
as Sex & the City, Heroes, America's
I love reading about women entrepreneurs that we don't hear about every day. I try to feature as many such women as possible on SheTakesOnTheWorld.com.
The stories of these successful entrepreneurs should inspire anyone THINKING about starting a business to DO IT! Don't wait :)
Posted by: Natalie MacNeil | August 04, 2009 at 10:03 AM