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Seven Characteristics of a Female Entrepreneur

By Carmin Wharton, e-BlackWomenNetwork.com

Energy

Energy and the drive is the lifeblood of a female entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs are change agents, and it comes naturally for them to be active and driven. Most of us are not satisfied with the way things are; we always see some place we can improve our business.  Female entrepreneurs have the energy and the courage to change what they see needs changing.

They are effervescent with energy and unafraid to put systems into place that will help her manage her business with as little manual labor effort as possible. And they reap the benefits of doing it right. If you plan to start a business, make sure you stop being afraid and that you stop procrastinating. It is important to act fast when you receive inspiration to do something.  Always make the most of your time. To remain energetic the female entrepreneur must eat properly, drink a lot of water, rest adequately and exercise daily.

Vision

Vision and foresight is critical to run a business, especially in a fast changing media like the Internet. Your business will not survive without a vision – written down.  More importantly, your vision will dictate on what you spend your time.

Vision also helps you stay the course.  If you do not start with the end in sight (a characteristic of vision), you will not know when you have arrived at your desired destination.

Decision Making

A successful female entrepreneur knows that she must look at a situation from every angle and when she has as much information as possible, make a decision. Whatever you do, do not ever make a decision because you are afraid to do so.  Do it afraid.

Businesses survive on decision making. Every sale you make and every customer you acquire is a result of various decisions you made. 

If you find that a decision was not the correct one after all, don’t be afraid to change your mind. 

Self Confidence

More often than not, entrepreneurs set sail against the winds of convention.  Female entrepreneurs tend to suffer with lack of or low self-confidence more so than their male counterparts.  Self-confidence means that you have faith and trust in your abilities and in your Higher Power (God, Jehovah, Spirit, etc.). You displayed great confidence when you decided to become an entrepreneur whether you know it or not.  The more successful decisions you make, the more your confidence will grow.  Just keep at it.

Optimism

You can tell a successful entrepreneur by the glint in her eye even when things seem hopeless.

I used to think it foolhardy of myself and other entrepreneurs not to consider the risks involved in starting a business. However eventually it dawned on me on me that our optimism is generated from the fact they we see possibility. Possibility is what makes us get up in the morning even if we don’t know how we are going to meet payroll or pay our mortgage.  Optimism is when you know there is a way, and you know you will find it.

It is an undeniable fact that you cannot take a business decision if you get bogged down by doubts and pessimism.  You must keep your eye on the prize.

Initiative

Initiative is what will get you in front of the right people and align you with the right opportunities.

Successful entrepreneurs create opportunities when there does not appear to be an opportunity! 

People Person

An entrepreneur must not meet a stranger.  You must be willing to share your business with everyone you come in contact with – every day. 

You must also know how to utilize people effectively as well. Hiring the right people, knowing who is the best person for a certain job and giving them the tools to be efficient and productive is the mark of a good entrepreneurial leader.

A good entrepreneur knows when, where and to whom to delegate work. She understands her limitations and also recognizes other people’s strengths. It would be wise for any of us wanting to build a business to learn when and how to outsource.  This is as vital money is to grow a business.

After reading these characteristics, take an honest look at where you are now and decide what, if any characteristics you must develop, strengthen or use to your advantage. 

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Carmin Wharton is a home-based business expert and the founder of e-BlackWomenNetwork.com, a membership community designed to take businesses owned by women of color from start up to prosperity. Carmin's mission is to help women earn what they're worth and make it big in their home-based business on their own terms.