Month: May 2023

7 Women Business and Leadership Role Models From the Bible to Inspire Christian Women in Business

Christian women today have many women mentors and role models from Bible days on which to base their business and leadership ventures. The qualities and characteristics of these women from long ago provide patterns for running successful enterprises as well as for being involved in government, legal matters, community organizing and even military operations. Most of these women were married and some functioned from their homes. The activities of these women are often not discussed, leaving some of the best means of motivation and encouragement for contemporary women unknown. This article presents a brief background along with the qualities and skills of only 7 top Bible women in business and leadership who have lessons to share for today.

1. Rahab: Joshua 2:1-22; 6:17-25. Rahab was a businesswoman who ran a lodging place and provided for her family members. Often misrepresented as a prostitute, there is no evidence of this in the Bible. She became known for her willingness to take great risks to negotiate with new people for the protection of herself and her family. Running a lodging facility meant being able to manage a staff of workers, keep clients happy and serve the needs of people from all backgrounds. It also meant being misunderstood by those who didn’t understand this nontraditional business role for women. The leadership qualities and skills of Rahab included being industrious and wise, having a business plan, management abilities and negotiation skills.

2. Lydia:Acts 16:14-15, 40. Lydia was a well-known businesswoman who dyed and sold purple cloth. Royalty and the wealthy wore purple cloth. That meant she had a high end target market. Her business had to provide a consistent, high-quality product to meet the standards and needs of a wealthy clientele. She also had employees, which means her company provided jobs for people in her community. Lydia was an entrepreneur who probably would have had a corporate structure. She displayed qualities and skills that included organization management and growth, employee training and development, and strong target market skills.

3. Priscilla:Acts 18:1-3; 24-28. Priscilla worked alongside of her husband, Aquila, as partners in a tent making business out of their home. She was first mentioned as the mentor to the great Apollo who she helped mentor to preach with more direction and authority. She also traveled extensively in the capacity of evangelist. Her qualities and skills were in working in harmony in a business partnership, managing a home-based business, business development and growth, multi-tasking, coordination, human relations, and mentoring skills.

4. Huldah:2 Kings 22:14-20: 2 Chronicles 34:22-28. Huldah was a prominent prophetess and married woman who was sought out by the King’s Advisors for counsel about spiritual matters. Huldah was known for being honest, highly intelligent and a scholar of the Scriptures. The qualities and skills she shares with contemporary Christian women include being a strategist, teacher, strong communicator, life-long learner and a leader who advised others and made hard decisions.

5. Phoebe:Romans 16:1-2. Phoebe was a preacher who worked closely with the Apostle Paul. She was sent by Paul to teach and preach the gospel to the new believers in Rome. Paul strongly urged the believers there to accept her preaching and to support her while in Rome. Phoebe understood the right time to approach others with new ideas and came with the proper introductions. She went to Rome as an evangelist and some believe as a deaconess. The qualities and skills presented by Phoebe are project manager, evangelist of new ideas, teacher, preacher, and collaborator.

6. Deborah:Judges 4 – 5. Deborah was the first woman to be a judge over a nation. She was willing to take on necessary hard tasks that others would not do. Through her leadership the laws of the land were understood and she promoted ethical behavior through the law. Deborah led the Israelite army into a victorious battle in a particularly difficult war situation when her General refused to ride into battle without her. Deborah was a powerful law-maker with qualities and skills as an Army Commander, leader of large groups, decision-maker, motivator, judge, and political official.

7. Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians, Acts 8:27. The Candaces were female rulers of in the African nation of Ethiopia (also known in ancient times as Kush). Unlike Queens of some other African Nations of that time, the Queens of Kush, who were independent rulers, known as Candaces, a distinctive title that existed for 500 years. One Candace received the information about spiritual matters from her treasurer who was baptized by the Apostle Philip during a long journey on state matters. She was receptive of new and better ideas to benefit those she represented. These powerful women had qualities and skills of being national political leaders, rulers, and warriors. They were decision-makers, negotiators and goal-oriented.

Christian women in business have some fabulous role models from Bible women for doing business and being a leader in these contemporary times. The few examples given in this article only provide highlights to the types of activities women had as spiritual and church leaders. These women were ministers, servant leaders, organizers, motivators, and persuaders. They used effective communication skills, organized church events, meetings and services. Knowing their lessons can inspire women even in these modern times to reach higher goals.

Women Empowerment And Entrepreneurial Revolution

Women have generally been looked upon with contempt for centuries with various strictures inflicted upon them reducing their status to the mercy of men.

They have been confined to hearth and home. But now the perspective of the society has changed and a general thinking to work for the emancipation and empowerment of women is being developed so that they could also contribute in the advancement and welfare of the society.

Women constitute almost 50% of the world’s population. According to the last official Nigerian census in 2006, women comprised almost half of the then 140 million populace at 68.3million. United Nations updated figures for 2010 put Nigeria as Africa’s most populous, as well as most densely populated nation, at 155 million in 2010, the New-York based Centre for Reproductive Rights and the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) reported that 600,000 women die in the world annually and Nigeria accounts for 10% of this figure; 60,000 Nigerian women are dying annually due to pregnancy and child-birth related complications. In more comprehensible terms, the number translates to 164 women per day.

According to the Nigerian Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, the latest Nigerian census revealed that women constitute 49.9% of the nation’s population; the under representation of women (2%) in the nation’s development processes in finance, business and investment fronts, renders 40% of the population inadequately positioned to contribute to the economic growth of the country.

As long as recorded history has lasted, so too has women’s oppression. To many people, it just seems natural that women are worse off, because of their smaller size or their capacity to bear children. Men comfort themselves with the thought that women need looking after. Not just the capitalist system to blame but also in feudal society, women occupied second place to men.

Early anthropologists began to speak of an earlier time when women, not men, ruled society.

The history of class struggles shows the continual effects of the “world historic defeat of the female sex” interweaved with and subordinated to class relations of exploitation.

The woman is an indispensable part of the family, for children are an economic necessity, but her role is a secondary one.

Women, though their economic activity was more centered on the home, played a large role in social life.

Why women are poor/oppressed

Women face many challenges both at home and in the marketplace when they decide to seek employment or engage in entrepreneurial activities.

Religion discouraged women status

Low literacy of women in the world: over 640 million of the women in the world are illiterates (UN Secretary General).

Amongst the world children, 121 million are not in school, most of them are girls.

Two-thirds of the world’s 774million illiterates adults are women (UNICEF statistics)

Girls represent nearly 60% of children not in school.

Educating a girl child is life saving for the world.

Women are more vulnerable to exploitation.

Uneducated girls are more at risk to be marginalized

Women’s rights and access to land, credit and education are limited; not only due to legal discrimination, but because more subtle barriers such as their work load, mobility and low bargaining positions in the household and community prevent them from taking advantage of their legal right.

Women status/employment- 90% of the world female labour are called housewives and excluded from the formal definition of economic activity.

Women work more hours than men and they are unpaid. The paid ones are paid 17% lower than men.

U.K, Germany, Italy, France- women are paid 75% wages. In Vietnam, Sri-lanka and Australia they are paid 90%

Women perform 66% of the world’s work, produce 50% of the food, but earn 10% of the income and own 1% of the property.

However, in some regions, women provide 70% of agricultural labour, produce more than 90% of the food and yet are nowhere represented in budget deliberations.

Women occupy only 24% of senior management positions globally, 34% of privately held businesses globally have no women in senior management. Managerial position- 39% in developed country, 15% in Africa, and 13% in Asia.

In Arab States, only 28% of women participate in the work force.

Women and society laws

First stage of discrimination begins with women when parents about. In Nigeria, most of the small-scale farming enterprises are owned by men. Women by nature have creative abilities, are blessed with ability to persist and pursue their desires, are good and patient nurtures of children, and this tenacity is usually transferred into business, are good innovators, have ability to develop passion for what they believe in.

Many researchers have shown that poverty is a malady that incapacitates its victim economically and indirectly subject him/her to a state of destitution, voicelessness, powerlessness and even violence (World Bank 2000; Okojie, 2002) Unfortunately, the most affected sex by the above incapacitation are women and children. Statistics show that women are poorer than men. The UNDP (2008) estimated that, about 70% of the world-poor are women. Women are poorer because they are more vulnerable economically.

The findings of Thane (1978), Showalter (1987) and Lewis Piachered (1987) cited in Magaji’s Introduction to Project Evaluation (2004) showed that women have been the poorest sex throughout the 20th Century and have formed a substantial majority of the poor since poverty was first recognized. On why women are the poorest sex, the physical strength of women and various challenges limit them to specific soft duties making it difficult to be enterprising.

Entrepreneurship development therefore is a crucial tool for women’s economic empowerment.

The benefits derivable from empowering the women folk are farfetched, starting with family advancement and eventually touching on the national and global economic advancement.

If women are empowered to do more and be more, the possibility for economic growth becomes apparent; eliminating half of a nation’s work on the sole basis of gender can have the detrimental effects on the economy of that nation. It is the nation that blends the strengths of women and men that will lead the world in development (Kiyosaki 1993) in the field of agriculture and other sectors.

A study found that of fortune 500 companies, “those with more women board directors had significantly higher financial returns, including 53 percent higher returns on equity, 24 percent higher returns on sales and 67 percent higher returns on invested capital (OECD, 2008).” This study shows the impact women can have on the overall economic benefits of a company. If implemented on a global scale, the inclusion of women in the formal workforce (like a fortune 500 company) can increase the economic output of a nation.

Entrepreneurship or investing is not an exclusive reserve of any gender. Both women and men generate the same result provided they follow the principles of investment. Kiyosaki (1993) proves with statistical data in Unites States, that women are better investors than men. Also, a study of National Association of Investors Corporation (NAIC), found that women- only clubs achieved average annual returns of 32% since 1951 versus 23% for men-only investment clubs. The verdict is; women know how to handle money and can be greater entrepreneurs than men if the various obstacles to development is removed or minimized.

Furthermore, entrepreneurship will give women opportunities of owning businesses, thereby increasing their personal wealth. Women’s entrepreneurship will of course generate the needed employment in developing economies in Africa and bring in the long excluded population of women into the labour force thereby empowering them.

The best way to fight poverty and extremism is to educate and empower women.

The Limitations holding back women from achieving much like men in entrepreneurship development.

Finance

Manpower and Education

Culture and Tradition

Technology

Erroneous Ideas about Women

Entrepreneurial Attitude

Gender inequality

Successful Women Entrepreneurs Today In A Competitive World

The successful female operated businesses know the meaning of a true business owner, “One who carries out to conduct a business assuming complete control and danger,” is not gender specific, it is not surprising that most entrepreneurs are men.

Lots of women merely do not have the time to start a company due to the fact that women tend to undertake the greater share of raising kids and keeping the house together!

I had the chance to interview a few who attended the woman’s conference and take a close take a look at the issues that successful women entrepreneurs deal with.

At a current international women entrepreneur’s conference in Glasgow, the Bank of Scotland presented a few of its research studies.

In accordance with the bank, even successful women entrepreneurs tend to: under-capitalize their organizations at startup; have a disinclination to use financial obligation financing and to be more danger averse than their male equivalents,

And they utilize a greater percentage of their individual savings within their service, both at startup and advancement.

They are less aggressive than guys about their understanding and understanding of financial products and services, all which can influence on funding and growing their businesses.

This might be exacerbated by the banks’ historic hesitation to treat their women in business clients in the very same manner as male customers.

Females owned businesses have the tendency to be more service oriented.

Yes, and therefore have less equity than male owned services– another factor banks can be hesitant.

Financing is vital to all commerce and of course the female owned businesses, and possibly managing money is most crucial amongst small businesses, whether at the start or when expanding.

The struggle to keep appropriate cash and financial freedom alive is consistent among business owners.

Is it any surprise then, that monetary concern is the most widespread cause of stress and insomnia!

With female owned businesses producing over thirty nine percent of new start-ups, and just over a third of self-employed proprietorships in Canada owned or led by females, female entrepreneurs have increased by just over more two hundred per cent in the last twenty years.

As an outcome, more black female business entrepreneurs are seeking more opportunities to grow their network and boost their support systems.

The Women Entrepreneurs of North America in Canada was established in Toronto in 1992, as a support, opportunity and resource network for female entrepreneurs.

I found that WEC promotes and fosters the young women entrepreneurs, too, in Canada and assists them to accomplish and define success on their own terms.

It’s important to help promote the interests of successful women entrepreneurs and women in business getting started, and business owners in the larger service neighborhood.

It assists in the transfer of appropriate knowledge that is appropriate to WEC members; and partners with companies both in Canada and abroad, such as the National Association of Women Business Owners in the USA.

And the global groups like Femmes Chefs d’Enterprises Mondiales and the Italian Associazione Imprenditrici e Donne Dirigenti D’Azienda, to bring finest chances, resources and practices to its members here.

This is an organization where women can fulfill their life dreams and blend with other female owned businesses, who deal with similar issues in starting, running, and growing their services.

WEC is a resource that offers a unified voice to federal government and the public, pressing the issues of women in business to a right-minded leading edge.

It is suggested that increased young women entrepreneurs research and study to produce more chances for black female business owners, while bringing exactly what is learnt about women’s organizations updated.

And relating to maternity leave– as female owned businesses are working to do the exact same benefits as for their staff members as they ‘d like to be treated.

There’s the “what might be done” to level the playing field and extend that advantage to all as, for example, it is in Finland?

It’s like the Course in Miracles teaches, “True extension of Self and one’s true free will brings on an awakening worldwide.

There are many organizations that help female owned businesses to interact a confident and refreshingly positive message about the future potential customers for females, and it is gratifying that the message is being heard.

I urge any woman in business, especially young women entrepreneurs to discover more about self-confidence as an entreprneur.

This takes us to wonderful tips for female owned businesses, and encouraging young women entrepreneurs.

Many aspiring female owned businesses, business supervisors and other professionals typically forget that they really have 2 tasks– the very first is to do exactly what they make money for (and do it much better than males).

The other is to proactively handle their profession path and do exactly what is required to guarantee their upward mobility isn’t really based on others– particularly those who notoriously subscribe to the “Old Boys Club” mentality who might or may not be working in her benefit.

The following “secrets”, amassed through my substantial background as both a business entrepreneur and organization experts lending me advice, will help female professionals better handle their success course:

Understand the “circle of successful women entrepreneurs”

A typical piece of suggestions provided to female owned businesses is for them to spend a good deal of time being familiar with, and working side-by-side, with their personnel to make sure each employee has what (s) he needs to be productive.

While that concept is well intentioned, it’s does not offer maximum advantage to all included.

Rather, it is more vital that female managers hang around helping their employer look proficient at every opportunity.

When (s) he understands that you have the ability to assist her/him prosper, you and your group will get more time, attention and resources assisting in optimum productivity.

Many female owned businesses cite male stereotyping and prejudgments of female “appropriate” roles and abilities as a leading barrier to their development.

It’s crucial for women to assess where a male employer stands relative to female specialists.

Previously I discussed women’s insecurity issues can be healed fast and to be a confident woman.

This can be done by analyzing his promotion track record of males vs. females, his balance, or lack, of interactions with female vs. male staffers, and if his interactions with female staffers is strictly expert rather than just inane or flirty little talk exclusively about her household.

How we sound (i.e., one’s unique attributes of the voice such as pitch, volume, and tone) play a crucial role in how females are viewed.

In addition, lots of women tend to mention their opinions, objections or recommendations as a question as opposed to affirmatively and confidently making their point as a declaration.

In a work context, females should command the flooring lest their fantastic ideas fall by the wayside.

Since numerous of us still associate one’s temperament, speaking and appearance capability with their general ability, this stays a powerful challenge for those women who have other or physical stereotype-based characteristics that are tough.

But as humans like the Course in Miracles teaches us, “The ego is aware on how to creep in the back door on us and begin projecting judgment based on fear and self-doubt.”

That said, it might be impossible to change, such as height or weight, blonde hair color, or merely a high pitched voice.

This subjectivity is even worse for young women entrepreneurs as society is generally more able to accept males with what’s considered to be shortfalls more than ladies.

Regardless of these barriers, condition yourself to bring yourself with best posture, speak and gesture in a reliable and confident way, and wear clothes that imparts your female owned businesses success.

To actually stand out from the others and get the crucial promotion, young women entrepreneurs from off site, or in house women execs, ought to guarantee they are in the workplace whenever her employer is in the office.

If (s) he has actually decided that it’s essential to be there after hours, on weekends, or early in the morning, it is entirely to your advantage to be there at the very same time.

Even in this day in age of so-called gender equality, females need to take benefit of all chances to differentiate themselves in the work environment.

It is essential that those who are in the position to benefit a woman’s career in any method know who she is and exactly what she has accomplished.

Effective service people understand the importance of letting others understand about their successes, and go about it in the suitable method.

Ladies need to not wait to get discovered while they toil away at the job at hand, but rather develop the ability of how to tactically talk about her achievements in the work environment.

Far too numerous employees throughout our world are bored and disinterested, which is adversely affecting their performance and creativity.

It’s time for the globe’s corporate leaders to re-engage and invest more time acting as leaders rather than bureaucrats.

The female owned businesses need to exploit this innate capability whenever possible, since such right-minded management ensures that everybody is focused on, and vested in, getting to the goal lines.

(I always suggest searching the web for related information that is a discussion on being a self-assured woman today filled with female confidence. A good conversation might be, should you have a life coach, yes or no?)

To your success in life!

Top 10 Tips to Align Your Authentic Business With Your Passion And Purpose

This week’s article is about how to align your authentic business with your passion and purpose. The truth is one of the biggest questions most enlightened entrepreneurs (Coaches, Authors, Speakers, Trainers, Leaders, and Experts) what I love to call, Enlightened C.A.S.T.L.E., have is whether or not their business fully expresses their true passion and unique purpose. For example, they often wonder: “Is this the work I was born to do?” Or “Is this REALLY what I’m here to be doing?” Or even “Is this business what I was meant to create?”

From my own experience, when you create a thriving business around your authenticity, passion and purpose, you not only do what you love and you love what you do, you also make a GREATER positive impact and income – all while transforming your life and the lives of those you touch. You also feel like your mind is ENLIGHTENED, your heart is EMPOWERED and your soul is INSPIRED to fulfill what you are DIVINELY destined to fulfill and then become who dream of being – the best version of your authentic self. (That’s exactly the way I feel now!)

So how do you do that and experience the same enlightening feelings? In this week’s article I want to share with you my top 10 tips to align your authentic business with your passion and purpose so you too can experience both spiritual fulfillment and financial success in your business.

Top 10 Tips to Align Your Authentic Business With Your Passion and Purpose

1. Apply the Law of G.A.D.I. (Go And Do It!) – without struggle, INSTEAD with integrity, grace and ease.

When you GO AND DO IT with integrity, grace and ease, you know you are authentically aligning your passion and purpose with your business because your creativity, focus and productivity flow. Magnificent material, what I call “divine downloads,” literally pours out of you. And your commitment to making quicker decisions, asking better questions and taking inspired, authentic action (what feels true, genuine to you!) doesn’t feel like a challenge any more.

2. Attract Your Authentic Audience – ideal clients who want to hire you to help them succeed in what you are thriving.

When you attract your authentic audience – your ideal clients – look at you as their role model, trusted authority, and you become a positive example for your community because you are someone special for them (like an inspired leader) and they want to hire you to teach them exactly the same steps you went through to thrive and certainly create your results too.

3. Make Money Doing What You Love – even though you are not always focused on it.

Now I’m a BIG believer in focusing on merging money and meaning, turning your passion into profits and prosper from your purpose because that’s how you turn your inner wisdom into your outer wealth and develop a healthy relationship with money. So, the more your head, heart, hands and hope (thoughts, emotions, behaviours and beliefs) are in holistic harmony with transforming your passion and purpose into prosperity and profitability, the less you feel frustrated, struggle or worry about money.

Basically, the doors of opportunities and windows of possibilities start opening up to more and more people wanting to collaborate, contribute and promote your work. That alone generates either more potential clients or more cash flow in your authentic business. The transformational truth here is the more you align your passion and purpose with your authentic business, the more money-magnet you become.

4. Let Your Mind Be Enlightened, Your Heart Be Empowered and Your Soul Be Inspired with BEST Practices, PROVEN Models and VALUABLE Resources. (What you feel is true, right and authentic to you!)

This is a BIG blessing, but it could be a curse too. In fact, I often drive myself and my husband (also my business partner!) crazy because I wake up every morning feeling enlightened, empowered and inspired to implement all these “Success Secrets, Spiritual Principles and Universal Laws” which make me feel so excited, passionate and purposeful.” That’s true (no kidding here).

When you know, feel and trust what you are doing is aligned with your passion-and-purpose-based business, you feel ALIVE, CENTERED and CONNECTED. Therefore, you continue to see more and more practical ways to grow and expand your BIG vision, BIG mission and BIG message. It’s like you become an idea factory that is constantly producing new insights to align, expand and succeed. To a certain degree, you can’t and you don’t want to turn it off.

5. Turn Your F.E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real) Into FAITH – be comfortable with the “uncomfortable” feelings that arise as you move forward.

Turn your FEAR into FAITH, and make it more important for you to move through your obstacles, challenges and concerns quickly than it is to dwell on them, complain about them, or wish they were easier. You must simply deal with that specific situation AND trust the Universe, Source, the Divine, Energy, God, Mother Nature, whatever you may call your FAITH is (use your intuition, gut feeling here!) and know that you are being DIVINELY guided and that all those uncomfortable feelings (False Evidence Appearing Real) would slow you down or keep you stuck.

6. Hone In Your Skills, Talents and Natural abilities – and get better and better until you master your craft.

The transformational truth is that there is no overnight success. Nobody ever uncover their “God-given” gifts, passion and purpose overnight. So be sure to take your time to discover your authentic voice, true passion and unique purpose and continue making progress until you master your craft so your authentic business fully expresses who you TRULY are. For example, whenever you get a glimpse, hone it and then you keep going, keep practicing, and keep showing up. Over time, little by little, slowly but steady, you notice yourself becoming the best next version of your authentic you. It’s PROGRESS, not perfection that really counts as evidence to you and to others.

7. Become Healthier and More Vibrant – and know that your energy will help you be a better leader and more powerful creator.

Eat healthier, take long, deep breaths, sleep better, exercise more (at least move your body often) and most important, live life like you mean it. It all contributes to a more ENLIGHTENED way of being, doing and having. Everything counts. So don’t waste your time, effort or energy. On the opposite, make it a TOP priority to keep your mind, body, and energy levels at their highest state. Because the reason why you are here in this world (your BIG vision, BIG mission, BIG message) is too much important to do anything but show up at your best, fullest potential.

8. Feel GRATITUDE and Be PROUD of What You Create – You Deserve It.

You definitely align your authentic business with your passion and purpose when you feel grateful and are proud of the positive impact you are creating in the world. Because when you do so, you create A LOT of new, different, FRESH ideas. So know you do deserve it and be unafraid to experiment, test and try out new things. And whether it does work or not, feel grateful for the INSPIRATION and be PROUD of what you create.

9. Believe In The BIG Ripple Effect – transform yourself, transform others and trust that other people are positively impacted by the people you transformed with your work.

In other words, trust the process, transform and thrive, all while helping others on the way. When you do so, you create a community (your transformational tribe) where people become your SUPER students, BEST buyers and RAVING fans (they “LIKE” you on Facebook, follow you on Twitter, Circle you on Google +, subscribe to your YouTube channel, refer your services to others, share your work, and more!). A BIG ripple effect happens each time people stop by to tell you what a difference you’ve made in their lives and in the lives of their loved ones or the people they touch. And above and beyond all that, you know that what you’re doing is not only aligned with your AUTHENTICITY, PASSION and PURPOSE, but also providing an incredibly valuable contribution to the world.

10. Last but definitely not least, Awaken To Your True Power – Let Your Inner Guidance – Higher Power (that SOUL CALLING that’s telling you to keep going not matter what) – Shine Through Your Authentic Business.

As I’ve mentioned before, aligning your authentic business with your passion and purpose, in other words, answering your deeper calling by creating a thriving business you love is not something that happens overnight. In fact, I’ve been working on it since I had my deepest wake-up call and started my own “soul searching” journey in 2008, because it isn’t really “a thing” but more like an ENLIGHTENED EXPERIENCE that happens where you can feel it mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and energetically.

Your Authentic Business Success In Action

Start sharing your passion (whatever it is you LOVE to share), living your purpose (whatever it is you feel INSPIRED to be) and creating a thriving business doing your “labor of love” – the work you were born to do. Above all, listen to your authentic voice (your intuition, gut feeling!) and transform it into something special for you, for your life, for your ideal clients, for the world.

Your outer world may not yet reflect the magnificence of your inner vision, but that doesn’t mean it’s not right. It takes time to align your authentic business with your passion and purpose. So, keep on listening to your inner wisdom, inner guidance, inner compass above all else to tell you if you’re moving in the right direction. I’ll say it again: align your authentic business with your passion and purpose is more of an enlightened experience than an outcome. (It’s the JOYful JOURNEY, not the destination that really matters!)

I hope you enjoyed this week’s article and had several “AHA” moments and breakthroughs that will help you become more aware of all this ENLIGHTENED energy. May it empower you to keep moving in the right direction. And please share this article with your friends or other people you feel like can appreciate the value of it – let’s help more people share their PASSION, live their PURPOSE and create a THRIVING business doing what they LOVE!

7 Top Tips From the Bible Business Woman Rahab for Today’s Woman of God

Rahab was a Bible woman entrepreneur who lived in the city of Jericho. She was a Cannanite who also operated an inn where visitors to the city (probably mostly men) would stay. She worked with flax, a type of fiber that was used for ropes and cloth. This woman of the Bible would have been in a non-traditional business for women during those days. You can find Rahab mentioned in several areas of the Bible but her main story is found in Joshua 2:1-22 and Matthew 1:5. Rahab was a quick thinking business woman who kept her ears open and communicated with her customers. This is how she learned vital information that eventually allowed her to save the life of two Israelite spies, which resulted in saving her own life and the life of her family when her homeland was captured.

Rahab’s story is a powerful one of a Bible business woman who experienced the grace of God in a dangerous situation because of her faith and wise actions. Even though she had been a prostitute, she had faith in God. As a result, she became the mother of Boaz, the Kinsman Redeemer, and eventually the mother-in-law of Ruth. Rahab was the great, great, great grandmother of King David and ancestor of Jesus Christ. She has much to share with the modern woman of God in business. Here are seven tips from the Bible woman, Rahab for today’s Christian business woman.

1. Succeed in spite of your past. Rahab was a woman who was given a negative label of prostitute in the Bible, probably for her lifestyle or other reasons that are not described. Still, she had the courage to successfully operate a non-traditional business and to face a dangerous situation by faith in God. Many women have experienced difficult situations in life. Some have been labeled with a negative reputation or called names that may or may not be deserved. Often, it could mean pulling back from society to avoid being hurt or ridiculed. But God is bigger than a title or a regretful past. If you have a calling on your life, don’t let a shaky past keep you from a successful future.

2. Learn to communicate with others. Rahab kept her ears and eyes open while operating her business. When customers came in she watched them; when they spoke she listened as much as needed. That is how she saved her life and the life of her family members. Business women must know how to watch and listen while doing business. Pay attention to others so you understand their professional needs and can gain necessary information for your business.

3. Gain negotiation skills. Rahab knew how to negotiate with tough soldiers and with spies in a life and death situation. Having operated a non-traditional business in her city, she had gained skills in making deals with all types of people. Business might require engaging in tough talks with competitors or adversaries. Practice the skills of making right deals so you will be ready to use them when necessary.

5. Be flexible and ready to change. Rahab could have tried to ignore the information she learned about the upcoming attack on her city or refused to believe that the army of the true God would succeed. Instead she quickly decided to change her comfortable life to respond to what was going to happen. A business woman of God should be flexible. She should be willing to make changes in her life and business according to the leading of God even when it first seems difficult to do.

6. Remember your priorities when things change. Rahab could have saved herself and never looked back. But she had her priorities in order; she remembered her family and saved all of them too. Very difficult circumstances can create a lot of stress. It is possible to forget your priorities during these times if you are not clear on your values. What would you do in the event of a highly stressful situation? A smart business woman thinks through various ways she can avoid being caught off-guard by unexpected events that can happen in business.

7. Use resources you have. Rahab used plants she had on her rooftop do what she promised in protecting the Israelite spies from capture by soldiers. What do you have around your location that might seem useless or without multiple uses? Take a new look at raw materials to see possible creative uses for them or consider creative marketing strategies to get business moving. You might have access to more inventory, ideas and potential than you first imagined to conduct your business in new ways.

Rahab is a woman of the Bible who went from living a life of sin to become one of the matriarchs of the Christian faith. She used strong business skills in a time of trouble and offers lessons for the modern business woman on how to think quickly when a bad situation seems almost impossible to overcome.

Best 10 Small Business Ideas Of 2020

Do you feel bored with your regular nine to five job and looking for starting a business? Are you looking for starting an extra earning source? Or, do you want to start a small business in full swing eyeing to make it your career?

The idea of starting a business can be exciting and all it requires is time, effort, money, and a fresh idea. We can definitely help you with the ‘idea’ part.

Let’s get started with 10 small business ideas of 2020 that can get you started.

Cooking/Baking: This doesn’t need a huge capital. If you already have the skills, you are good to go. Make a slow start. If necessary, work from home. Select your preferred arena such as Braising, Stewing, Steaming, Baking, Roasting, Grilling, etc. Start with 2/3 items and start delivering. Everyone likes a nicely cooked home meal. Advertise within your known area and let your cooking do the rest.

Tutoring: This is probably the most known source of earning, though most of us don’t try to take this on another level. Tutoring is not limited to teaching academics. It can be a huge business opportunity with these extra steps:

– Know how to play a musical instrument? Teach your dexterity.

– Can make small yet handy crafts? Teach your techniques.

– Good at editing or designing? Teach your skills.

– Able to sing, dance, art, cook, or anything as such? Teach your expertise.

– Confident in applying your makeup just right? People always asking, how are your attire always so perfect? Teach your mastery.

– Know how to click the perfect picture? Teach your knowledge.

To summarize, find out what you know because there is a huge number of potential students out there searching for your service. Remember, learning will never go out of fashion.

Babysitting: Bet you have spent a fair share of time taking care of your baby nephew and nieces. Now is the time to use that experience. Watch the kids when their working parents are too busy to do so. Make your family and friends your brand ambassador in this case.

Interior Designer: Have a fascination with a beautifully organized home? Then start learning of course! Online courses about the basic interior are not very hard to find. After gathering enough knowledge start doing small projects, take pictures, make a portfolio, and open a website or online page or hand out flyers if needed. The want of virtual assistants is huge in rate.

Break the norm saying, Interior Designers are only for the riches. Provide your service in all possible ranges and see your business booming. Due to growing demand, you may count interior design as one of the best among 10 small business ideas of 2020.

Customized Jewelry: Have a thing for jewelry? In that case, this business is for you. The opportunity in this field is huge with its growth projected at 5-6% per year. From golden to wooden, no jewelry will ever be old-fashioned. This is perfect for a small capital side business. Due to the rising popularity of customized jewelry among fashioned seeker women, this can be considered as one of the best among 10 small business ideas of 2020.

Develop an app: There are apps for anything and everything these days. From finding all your essential files to finding a good night’s sleep, there is an app to the rescue. Coding skills or no coding skills, learning how to develop an app will only bring you potential business opportunities. Start with some marketing research and you are off to a great start.

Translator: Now will be the time to put your language skills in use.

Employment of translators is projected to grow 19 percent from 2018 to 2028 which is much faster than the average for all occupations. If you know more than one 2nd languages then you’re in luck and in great demand.

Create your channel: A YouTube channel can earn around $3 to $5 per 1000 views. A successful YouTuber can earn millions by a single video. If you are up for it, this can be your only earning source as well. Hence this idea can be considered as demanding ideas among 10 small business ideas of 2020.

If you have a passion for travel, standup comedy, music, dance, animation, teaching, creating, or anything of such sort, start sharing with the world.

Learn about YouTube guidelines and know your tools. A decent location and a good camera can increase your chances of income.

Ghostwriting: All ‘BoJack Horseman’ fans know about Diane and how she was a successful ghostwriter. She was never out of work and nor will you be if you have a passion for writing. A ghostwriter may not get credit for their work but it’s a lot of money.

Many started as a normal ghostwriter and ended up having an influential career out of it. Averagely, an adept ghostwriter can net $20,000 per project and over $50,000 if the client is a celebrity. Beginners on average earn around $5,000 depending on the topic and length of any text.

Freelance Content Writing: Content writing is undoubtedly one of the best among 10 small business ideas of 2020. In this age of digital marketing, content writers have their fair share of demands. If you have skill in formulating a well-structured story or article, this startup is for you.

One can write content for a variety of things like Web content, Blogging, Social media, ad and sales copy, Expert, or industry writing, Journalistic/news writing, Creative writing, etc. An experienced content writer can earn up to $1000 to $5000 a month.

If you already made up your mind to start a small business, that’s great! Don’t make a delay, pick up one from 10 small business ideas of 2020 above, and get prepared for a jump in the big space of business!

Women & Business Partnership – The Good, the Bad and the Synergy

Team sports prepare boys for the corporate model of business. Girls, however, typically play closely with one or two friends. What great preparation for entrepreneurial partnership! So it is fitting, as women continue to start businesses in record numbers, that many are finding partnership is a comfortable format. In fact, business partnership works for women coming from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences including those tired of hitting the corporate glass ceiling, stay-at-home Moms, and women who want to turn their passions and their social connections into business ideas.

Partnership brings a wide variety of benefits including a sense of connection and someone to cover when you go on vacation. On the other hand, many partnerships end in crisis and conflict. To avoid partnership failure, your partnership needs to possess the following seven components of positive partnership.

Shared Values. Partners need a sense of shared standards regarding what is desirable, undesirable, good, and bad. These values will guide partners’ actions, judgments, and choices. Values, which often carry considerable emotion, may range from valuing family, prosperity, ambition, a work ethic, or a political persuasion. In addition to helping partners make congruent decisions, shared values serve to keep partners united.

Different (Complementary) Skills and Traits. Successful partners will possess different (complementary) skills and traits. The broader the partners’ range of skills, the clearer the division of their labor (and power) can be. It may be easy to distinguish the marketing person from the technical person in a business but other necessary variables are often not as easy to see. Michael Gerber’s classic book “The E-Myth” explains that a business owner needs to play three roles, Entrepreneur – the creative visionary; Manager, the administrator who brings planning, order and predictability; and Technician – the craftsperson. Partnerships have a distinct advantage in that two or more invested people are available to perform the three necessary roles.

Sense of Equity. Equity occurs when the rewards of a relationship are proportional to what each side perceives as his or her contribution. Strangers and casual acquaintances maintain equity by keeping track of the benefits they exchange. However, in long-term and more committed relationships it is not healthy to keep track. Instead, a sense of equity should be established. A perception of inequity (I am giving more then I get) takes a tremendous toll on a partnership.

Growing Together. From the moment we are born until the day we die, we are in the process of growing and changing. Partners and their partnerships are continuously undergoing this process of change. However, we are often not aware of the changes we’re experiencing. And, sometimes change is viewed as a threat to the status quo. Successful partners embrace change and growth, knowing that this attitude benefits both their individual and shared professional identities.

Proactive Conflict Management Strategies. Competing and avoiding are not effective conflict management strategies for partnership. Instead, successful partners will use proactive and strategic approaches to conflict management such as accommodation, compromise and collaboration to resolve their differences.

Shared Vision. Partners need a shared vision or plan for the future. Vision is what determines and expresses where an organization wants to go and how it intends to get there. A shared vision allows partners to focus on their goals and the methods they will use to achieve those goals. When partners hold different visions they become discouraged, overwhelmed, and disconnected. In order to create and effectively benefit from a shared vision, four tasks are necessary: creating the initial vision, translating that vision into the necessary physical actions, articulating and selling the vision to others, and holding true to the essence of the vision when reality changes the plans.

An Exit Strategy. It has been said that a graceful exit is proof of a successful venture. Without an exit strategy in place partners can be faced with making crucial decisions at a time when they were least levelheaded. An exit strategy is a shared sense of when and how an alliance will end and one should be included as the end-point in a business plan. However, while planning for the end may be a critical aspect of owning a business, it is also one of the most neglected. Exits are easy to avoid when the issue is not pressing and raising the issue might sour the deal or suggest a lack of trust. Four questions should be addressed when considering an exit plan: what events might trigger an end to the partnership; how will the business be valued at the end; which options for future ownership are acceptable; and what post-alliance ties and restrictions, such as non-compete clauses, need to be included.

When you enter into a partnership that is strong in these seven components you have the potential to create synergy and reap some amazing benefits. True synergy comes about when two (or more) people work together to create results that would have been unobtainable independently. In a synergistic partnership 2+2>4 and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Simple Side Business Ideas

These days it is really not that uncommon for some people to have one or two or even three jobs. And this is not only because they just want to keep their families afloat, some are just basically willing to make certain sacrifices – like giving up sleeping and their free time just to be able to work their way to the top. However, all work and no play will certainly make anyone go insane so while it is perfectly okay for you to consider having side business ideas, it certainly will not hurt you either to make sure that you choose the one that will be perfect for you.

As long as you are not too picky and you have a wide range of interests and skills, then you can easily take your pick from the many side business ideas that are going around out there.

If you are a stay-at-home mom, some great side business ideas that you can do – even from your home are:

-At-home telemarketing: just simply set your own office, make use of your computer, your internet knowhow and your headset and start making those calls.

-Freelancing: got great writing skills? Lots of companies are looking for freelance writers to outsource to help them with their many marketing projects especially with SEO.

-Transcribing: all you really need is to be able to type fast and have good hearing to ace this.

If you are a student, here are some great side business ideas that you can easily do during your spare time and still be able to focus on your studies:

-Freelance researcher: make the most of the researching skills that you have acquired from school and make yourself useful to companies who are looking for freelance researchers that they can outsource to help them do their extra work. Work time is flexible, you can take as many assignments as you can handle and take a break whenever you feel that you won’t have the time for it.

-Freelance creative writer: have a knack for writing creatively? If you have a way of easily convincing people through the sheer power of the written word, they you should consider other freelancing gigs like that of a freelance writer. Side business ideas like that of freelancers are great for students like you who need to be able to have a decent schedule to be able to still ace his or her schooling. Just make sure that you have a portfolio of your sample works ready once your prospects start calling you up.

And whether you are a struggling employee, a stay-at-home mom or a student, one surefire way to get the big bucks rolling in is to make the effort to put up a multi-level marketing business that you can do from your home. You can easily research on the internet for possible product ideas and sales and marketing schemes that you can make use of to have a successful multi marketing business.

How Did Women Make Money In 1887?

Mrs. M.L. Rayne’s 1887 book, What Can A Woman Do? provides a fascinating look at how Victorian women could make money in the 1880s. It’s rich with information and vignettes that show what was possible for working women some 120 years ago. The opportunities for enterprising women were greater than most of us imagine.

The book is subtitled “Her Position in the Business and Literary World”. A sizable section is dedicated to women poets but it is the business opportunities for women that are most intriguing. Rayne looks at careers for women as well as a variety of ways women could make money on their own.

A chapter is devoted to women in the legal profession. The author notes that there were some ninety women practicing law in the United States in the 1880s, most of whom had graduated from the University of Michigan, the first U.S. university to admit women to its law school. In an early version of networking the author suggests that readers contact one of the female attorneys she mentions and ask them for advice on pursuing a legal career.

There is also a chapter about women in medicine. The author writes that Europe was far ahead of the United States in opening its medical schools to women. In the US, a medical school for women was opened in Boston in 1848. In the 1880s close to half of Boston University’s medical school students were female and Rayne lists four other US medical schools that admitted women.

Other occupations that are discussed in the book include stenography and typing; wood engraving; nursing; telegraphy; and government work. There is much discussion of wages and earning potential in the book. In the chapter on telegraphy, a profession for which there were actually specific educational programs, Rayne writes about the income disparities between men and women operators. Women were paid on average $500 per year while men earned an average annual salary of $840.

Rayne’s feminist bent extends beyond wage disparities. She writes of how a woman’s work is never done. A man goes home to rest and read while a woman returns home to work and weariness. Clearly Rayne was a woman ahead of her time. Chapters are devoted to women as inventors and women of enterprise. She writes of women who received patents for their inventions and women who started their own businesses.

A number of the ways to make money discussed in the book are still popular today. Raising chickens, even in the city and suburbs, is becoming more popular. The book includes a chapter on raising poultry that will be of interest to backyard poultry enthusiasts. There’s also a chapter on making money with bee keeping, another increasingly popular hobby nowadays. Other perennial favorite money making opportunities discussed in the book include dressmaking, housekeeping, cooking (today we call ourselves caterers), and taking in boarders (nowadays we call it getting a roommate).

For those who thought that women first entered the workforce in the 1970s or no earlier than the days of Rosie the Riveter, Rayne provides an eye opening account of women’s first forays into the working world. Whether it’s a century old perspective on making money with your own enterprise or an eye-opening look at the early days of feminism, What Can A Woman Do sheds much light on the early days of women in the work force.

Best Business Ideas for Women In the Modern World

It’s no longer a man’s world out there. We live in a world where men and women alike rule the world; where women can be who and what they want to be without prejudice. According to the published report by the Catalyst, a non-profit membership association increasing opportunities for women and business, women make up the 7.6% of the Forbes 500 top earners and 46.7 % of the American workforce. Here are some of the best business ideas for women you should consider when thinking of having your own business.

In our world, men are not the only ones wearing the trousers; women nowadays are actively participating in making decisions for their careers, families, and their lives in general. For most women, starting a business can sometimes be gruelling. It’s hard to choose which idea can be great to start a business and a career. However, the most simple and unlikely ideas can sometimes become one of the best business ideas for women.

Any woman can be successful in any business she ventures into. Most women nowadays, like women who stay at home to watch over the kids, search for business opportunities that won’t compromise their responsibilities at home. For home-staying moms, you can start a home-based business.

Depending on your skills, capabilities, resources, and passion, a home-based business can be a great success. For those who are computer and internet-savvy, starting up a home-based virtual assistant service is one of the best business ideas for women. If you have a background in sales or customer service, you can start a call center facility. If you have superb writing skills, you can create a writing business, creating marketing and promotional write-ups for people and products.

Best business ideas for women include starting an interior design business, catering service, accessory-making and writing and PR services. A woman who enjoys baking, can start a pastry business; a woman who is passionate about beauty and wellness can start a spa or a beauty salon business. Depending on her skills, a woman who has technical dancing skills in ballet or musical talent like playing the piano, violin, guitar or any musical instrument can start her own dance/music class at home.

The list can go and on but before deciding which business idea to consider, take into account your capabilities, skills, budget, time, and the amount of passion that you can pour into that idea. Starting a business can sometimes be demanding, but with the right attitude and frame of mind, a start-up business can become a successful one.

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