History of Advertising

Source: Mashable!

Why Women Should Start Their Own Business

On May 15, Barbara Hannah Grufferman wrote an essay in the Huffington Post about women’s worst fears after age 50. A few listed health as their top concern, but the majority said they worried about not having enough money as they got older—retirement money, about shelling out ridiculous sums of money for insurance, about being homeless after divorce or the death of a spouse.

   

These are valid concerns, and Grufferman’s advice is apt: “Help women over 50 get and keep jobs, and give them access to affordable health care so that they can continue to have productive lives for as long as they wish,” she says. She points out that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 90 percent of the new jobs that were created during the last 12 months went to men. She suggests we shift this paradigm.

   

While Gruffernan is right about this, she misses one hugely important point: Rather than wait for someone else to hire them, women over (or under) 50 would be better off building and running their own businesses. That’s the best way to promote economic independence—by running your own show, especially with so many women in the breadwinner role.

   

I myself am not close to age 50, but I am starting a family and worried about long-term security as many women. Starting my own company four years ago when the economy started a downward turn was a no-brainer after years freelance, networking and exploration.

Here are some tips for getting started from the book Stepping out of Line: Lessons for Women Who Want it Their Way… in Life, in Love and at Work:

1. Start with the end in mind
Write down or cut out pictures of what you ultimately see for yourself and others in your life, love and work. The more specific you can be, the more likely you will be able to communicate your vision to others so they can help you get there.

   

2. Set specific, time-sensitive goals

Write them down and post them where you can see them. Further hone your unique definition of success by determining the actual numbers, dates, dollar amounts or other specific markers you want to achieve. This way, you’ll be able to mark incremental successes and celebrate when you’ve reached your ultimate goal. Vague goals produce vague results.

   

3. Expect and listen to resistance

Whenever you try to change and grow, you will undoubtedly experience resistance, fear and criticism from other people, as well as from yourself. Anticipate this, listen to the concerns, and have a strategy to incorporate the valid ones into your plans.

   

4. Get more opinions than your own

Confidence is a huge asset, but it doesn’t replace the need to test your ideas and plans with other people. There is great value in seeking advice from people with more experience, less experience, different backgrounds and various dispositions. Trust your instincts and do some market research.

   

5. See your life as part of a bigger picture

You are rarely the only one in the world who wants the life you want or has the dreams you have. Access the wider world of people with your interests and goals and use this network for support, encouragement and an occasional kick in the pants.

Identity as a System, Not an Element

An identity by definition is consistent, recognizable and identifiable. Leave it to MIT to break the rules and create a 40,000-version logo.

Watch the video:

MIT Media Lab Identity, 2011 from readyletsgo on Vimeo.

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