By Rieva Lesonsky

Did you miss any of my blog posts from around the Web this week? Read on to see what’s on my mind.

Does every small business really need a website? Get my take on one of the ongoing debates in small business at the SCORE Success Blog.

Crowdfunding sites aren’t just for raising money – they’re also great sources for uncovering hot business trends before they become widespread. Find out more in my post on Network Solutions‘ GrowSmartBusiness blog.

The U.S. debt ceiling has gotten lots of press in past weeks, but women entrepreneurs are having some issues with their own debt ceilings. Check out my post on Anita Campbell’s Small Business Trends.

If you’re trying to keep your employees from leaving for greener pastures, it’s important to know what they really care about. Read my post on American Express OPEN Forum to find out.

By Maria Valdez Haubrich

If you’re anywhere in the Chicago area, or can get to Chicago pretty easily, you’ll want to stop by McCormick Place-West on September 14, 2011, for the 25^th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference. Created by Chicago’s Women’s Business Development Center, the event is the oldest conference and business opportunities fair for women in the United States.

Register for the whole conference and have access to all seminars, workshops and networking opportunities. Or you can just register for specific events. Attendees include small business owners, corporate and government buyers, business experts, and many sponsors looking to build relationships.

For more information, check the WBDC website.

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By Karen Axelton

Trend website Daily Candy has announced the winners of this year’s Start Small, Go Big contest co-sponsored by smInk from Chase. Did you enter the contest (or vote)? Meet the four winners, each of whom will be flown to NYC to get one-on-one business advice from expert mentors:

Cold Spring Apothecary Owner Stacey Wesselman creates all-natural skin, hair, and body treatments using high-grade essential oils and herbal extracts (no synthetic chemicals or parabens).

Quinn Popcorn Husband-and-wife business partners Kristy and Coulter Lewis sell organic microwave popcorn in 100 percent compostable paper bags. The popcorn is made with pure ingredients, pressed oils and flavors like Vermont Maple and Sea Salt.

Amelia Presents Entrepreneur Erin Abbot has owned a store selling gift items such as artwork, journals and local baked goods for two years, but now she wants to start her own furniture line—which mentorship from experts like Jonathan Adler will help her do.

Iva Jean Ann DeOtte created the ingenious Rain Cape, made from durable, water-resistant fabric with piping for extra visibility, a pull-cord system for adjustments, and a high collar for wind protection, that allows bicycling in any weather—even in Seattle.

Read more about the winners at the Daily Candy website.

Are you a woman entrepreneur seeking greater success in your business? In today’s guest post, authors Christy Whitman and Rebecca Grado reveal the four behaviors that could be holding your business back—and three simple steps to change them.

Many women have cast aside their feminine natures and taken up a more aggressive, masculine stance – in other words, they’ve fallen into the trap of being an “Alpha Bitch.” Although most smart women stop short of over-the-top antics, it’s probably safe to say that many go-getters are quite capable of using this approach now and again. And while there are certainly times when it’s appropriate to act in this way, it may be holding you back more than you may think.

You see, the more aggressively you push to achieve your desires (and that includes both personal and professional aspirations), the more distance you end up creating between yourself and your dreams. That’s because the underlying beliefs fueling the Alpha Bitch behaviors are based in fear and scarcity, and it’s just not possible to attract your greatest visions, or success in your company, from these beliefs.

What are the four Alpha Bitch Behaviors that hold women back from having the career success they desire?

1. The Forceful Alpha – she rules with an iron fist and has a take-no-prisoners approach to life. This woman uses domination and intimidation to get what she wants. On a good day she comes across as strong and assertive, but watch out… she can quickly become mean and aggressive.

2. The Controlling Alpha – she is relentlessly outspoken, demanding, micro-managing and even manipulative. She is not afraid to argue for her position until those around her cave in to her demands.  This woman is convinced that her way is the right way (and, let’s be honest, the only way.)

3. The Competitive Alpha – she is constantly looking over her shoulder to see who is doing what — and who might be poised to outdo her in some way.  This woman goes into overdrive when she hears about the accomplishments or acquisitions of another, and she may even resort to cutthroat or underhanded measures in order to be the best.

4. The Disruptive Alpha – she suffers from a constant need for attention that drives her to do almost anything to secure her share of the spotlight and claim her rightful place at center stage. This woman is an attention-seeker and can be oh-so-disruptive. (Can you say “drama queen”?)

However your inner Alpha Bitch reveals herself — whether as forceful, controlling, competitive or disruptive — it is vital to understand that these behaviors are always triggered by the core beliefs in lack and insufficiency.

So, how can you shift from the disempowering Alpha Bitch stance to an Empowered Feminine one? Try these three steps:

1. Recognize that your aggressive or overbearing behaviors are not fueled by authentic power, but by beliefs based in fear and scarcity. When you catch yourself in this mode, ask, “What am I afraid will happen if I’m not in charge or if I’m not in control of this situation?”
2. Release these thoughts and beliefs by replacing them with more life-affirming ones like: “I know that I am capable of creating unlimited success and abundance in my life.”
3. Reclaim your true empowered and abundant self by remembering that you are so much more than your tough Alpha Bitch persona. Within you lies a wise, radiant, graceful and abundant woman. Align with her.

To instantly receive great tips on how to shift from Alpha Bitch to Fierce and Feminine, and to receive the download of the New York Times bestseller Taming Your Alpha Bitch: How to be Fierce and Feminine (and Get Everything You Want!) for free, just go here: www.tamingyouralphabitch.com.

Christy Whitman is a New York Times bestselling author, in-demand life coach, transformational leader, CEO and founder of the Quantum Success Coaching Academy, a 12 month Law of Attraction coaching certification program. She has helped thousands of women and men around the world achieve their goals through her empowerment seminars, speeches, coaching sessions and products. Christy’s life-changing message reaches over 100,000 people a month and she has been featured on The Today Show and quoted in major publications.

Rebecca Grado, MFT, is a New York Times bestselling author, licensed intuitive psychotherapist, co-founder of the Goddess Retreat– a transformational weekend awakening the radiance and power within women– and co-author of “Taming Your Alpha Bitch – How to be Fierce and Feminine (and get everything you want)”. Her work is featured with bestselling authors Dr. Wayne Dyer, Michael Beckwith, and Anthony Robbins. She has been featured on The Today Show.

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When you’re looking for a way to market and sell products for your new business, sometimes the right distributor comes along at the right time. Read today’s post from  guest blogger Jennifer Roma of Headbandz.

After my daughter Naomi was born, I noticed that the baby accessories market did not have a clear market leader or an ideal place to buy quality baby accessories that didn’t cost too much.  I was interested in starting a new business for quite some time. After seeing this opportunity, it seemed like a great place to start. Enter Headbandz!

How I got my start: I came across Main Street Revolution while reading the news one day.  We were a new business and I thought this would be a great way to create visibility.  I contacted Overstock.com, and after discussing the process with their buyer, we were approved.

We saw Overstock.com as an ideal website to gain nationwide visibility and it’s been great to say we sell on Overstock.com. Overstock.com carefully screens products for high quality and avoids overcrowding.  We’ve seen sales in places where we may not have otherwise sold, for example, Alexander, North Dakota.

After our products were posted online, we received our first order within 24 hours.  The whole process has been virtually seamless, but one initial problem we faced was what to do when an address wasn’t accepted by USPS’s verification system.  We contacted our Merchant Operating Assistant at Overstock.com and she provided us with an email address where we could send the address for correction.

Evolving Our Collection: Selling on Overstock.com has also been a terrific tutorial for learning about online sales.  Our overall sales have increased and continue to grow.  One of our top selling headbands has a white daisy with a pink rhinestone.  I got the inspiration while shopping one day.  I noticed a flower with a button center, which got me thinking that it is the center of the flower that really makes the product stand out.  After considering different options, our designer and I agreed that a delicate pink colored rhinestone would make an ideal, unique daisy.  We started with just a few products online, and through steady growth we now offer over one hundred product combinations.

Guiding Product Development: Our customers are continuously satisfied with their product purchases and reviews from across the nation inspire me to constantly innovate. One of our customer’s recently said, “These headbands are beautiful.  I love the stretchy soft nature of the band itself.  Our daughter receives tons of compliments when she wears it. I would highly recommend Headbandz.”

Headbandz continues to expand into new markets and will soon be adding hair bows and tutus to its current offerings.  Additional future product offerings will include custom designed leather diaper bags and shoes, as well as baby carriers and high chairs with custom designed, colorful fabrics.

The post History of Headbandz–Mompreneur Shares Her Success Story appeared first on Small Biz Daily.

By Maria Valdez Haubrich

We have written in the past about the Give Me 5 program, a national program by American Express OPEN and WIPP to help women businesses owners access and win their share of government contracts. We wanted to make sure you the next scheduled webinar for women business owners interested in getting contracts by teaming up with other businesses.

Collaboration and partnerships with other small businesses is a great way to capitalize on the more than $500 billion the U.S. government spends each year in federal contracts. According to an American Express OPEN survey, two-thirds (68 percent) of active small business contractors who have pursued teaming opportunities have exceeded $1 million in federal contracts won to date, and 38 percent have exceeded $10 million. In addition, businesses that partner with a larger prime contractor also achieve a higher success rate versus the average small business contractor.

And during this webinar, one woman business owner will receive help in developing an effective teaming strategy. The webinar is only two days away, so make sure you mark your calendar to tune in.

Give Me 5 “Ready For Prime Time”: How to Leverage Teaming Arrangements

Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Time: 3-4 p.m. ET / 12 p.m.-1 p.m. PT

Where: Virtual

The post Team Up to Get Government Contracts appeared first on Small Biz Daily.

By Rieva Lesonsky

The lack of women in technology has been discussed and debated for years. Now three prominent women are doing something about it. Blogger Arianna Huffington, designer Donna Karan and Sarah Brown, wife of former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, have teamed up with i/o Ventures to select the most promising female technology entrepreneur.

The winner of the WIE (Women, Inspiration & Enterprise) Prize will receive up to a $25,000 investment in her company; 4 months of free office space at i/o Ventures headquarters in San Francisco; and mentoring from i/o Ventures founders Aber Whitcomb, a co-founder of MySpace; Ashwin Navan, co-founder of BitTorrent; Jim Young, co-founder of HOTorNOT.com; and Paul Bragiel, co-founder of Lefora.

The award will be presented at the WIE Symposium in New York City in September.

“We believe that female entrepreneurs are under-served and we want to help; we think that mentorship is important but even more so putting real money to work,” said i/o Ventures’ co-founder Paul Bragiel in announcing the award.

But hurry—the deadline to apply is September 10. Get details at the WIE site and enter here.

The post Women tech entrepreneurs: Your chance to win $25,000 appeared first on SmallBizDaily.

By Karen Axelton

Inc. has recently released its list of the top 10 women entrepreneurs. The women profiled own a range of businesses, from Amy Nalewaik, whose Blackbook2 offers free online services for small businesses, to Eileen Gittins, whose Blurb enables consumers to make and sell their own books.

I am always fascinated by startup stories, and this group is no exception. The sparks of their businesses grew out of everything from a love of photography to a military background. THe women started their companies for a variety of reasons, from Jennifer Scully, who was previously a nurse and combined that skill with her administrative knowledge to launch her business, to Jessica Herrin, who went from her WeddingChannel.com to a second venture, Stella & Dot, because she saw a need to give women a way to spend more time with their families.

One of my favorites was Mindy T. Withrow of CSS Distribution Group, who talked about how important it is for her company to seek out other female entrepreneurs to do business with. “We look for other companies that have similar stories,” Withrow told Inc. “One of our largest tape suppliers is women-owned.”

The post Top 10 Women Business Owners appeared first on SmallBizDaily.

By Karen Axelton

We blogged recently about Daily Candy’s Start Small, Dream Big contest (and I hope some of you entered)!

The winners have been chosen, and the three companies sound great:

Nella Pasta: When the founders of this startup were both laid off they decided to pursue their passion for creating farmers-market-fresh gourmet pasta. Mmmm, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.

Dolly Pearl: This designer’s girly dresses are getting so many orders, the one-woman shop can barely handle fulfilling them. Hopefully the $10,000 in prize money each winner receives will help her out with that.

Thursdays: Inspired by their own Thursday-night gatherings with friends, this team’s website and forthcoming book have plenty of party planning ideas and recipes to help women friends plan get-togethers. Now that’s a service that’s sorely needed.

Read more about each winner on the Daily Candy website.

The post And the winners are…. appeared first on SmallBizDaily.

By Rieva Lesonsky

Have you missed any of my recent blog posts from elsewhere on the Web? Check out what I’m talking about.

The big news for this week? I’m now editor of Network Solutions’ Grow Smart Business blog. Head over and take a look–my business partners and I will be blogging daily on the site.

Gearing up for holiday sales? Check out my post on AT&T’s SmallBusinessInSite to find out what you need to know about shoppers’ attitudes this year.

I’m always on the lookout for technology to make running my business easier. If you are too, read about three tools I love in my column on AllBusiness.com.

Are you feeling “stuck” in your business? You’re not alone–read my column on AllBusiness.com to see what a recent survey says about the state of small businesses.

The Women Owned Small Business Rule is finally official. If your business is involved in (or wants to get involved in) government contracting, find out what that means to you in my post on Anita Campbell’s Small Business Trends.

The post 3 smart tech tools, happy holiday sales, victory for women business owners and more appeared first on SmallBizDaily.