She Talks Arizona

Inside the mind of entrepreneurs: Tips and tricks

Devin McIntyre — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:15:51 +0000

I have learned a lot about entrepreneurship in the past few weeks. Despite only scratching the surface of a large, multi-faceted topic I have noticed some reoccurring themes and advice.

To build a successful business, moderated personality interests and engages customers.
Even though entrepreneurship is about branching out on your own, it is a disservice to you and your business to think that things like titles don’t matter.
Create multiple avenues of income.
Surround yourself with excellence. Read, listen and talk to others who are at the front of their field.
Confidence doesn’t come out of nowhere. It takes work.

And if, like me, the idea of starting a company from scratch completely overwhelms you, or you just want a good laugh, go watch this video, “Sh*t Entrepreneurs Say.”

Networking and community on Twitter: women entrepreneurs build their own brand

Devin McIntyre — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:02:04 +0000

For entrepreneurs, a healthy community and wide networking web is important. Who they know and how they are known directly affects success.

The old model of networking is something out of a 1950′s period piece with men in suits exchanging business cards while smoking and drinking brandy.

With the advent of online media, networking has drastically changed. LinkedIn is the new business card and Twitter is the new brandy.

Entrepreneurs have taken to online tools quickly and generally use them well. Women entrepreneurs put their own spin on the system by injecting personality and engagement that is an expression of their self.

Gelie Akhelblit, founder of Networking Phoenix, has a Twitter feed that mixes business with fun.

Akhenblit updates her 5,199 followers daily about new events from her website…

As well as replying to her followers on a personal level…

Strut Bridal Salon, founded by Ann Campeau, runs a business-centric Twitter account that posts new wares and updates about the shop, new blog posts and retweets helpful links.

GoGo Natural is a better example of networking on Twitter taking a personal turn. The natural diaper company founded by Meredith Abney has a active Twitter feed filled with pictures…

Shared links with a personal touch…

And opportunities to win their products.

One of the enduring qualities I find in entrepreneurs is the way they adapt quickly and use new tools. Twitter and other online platforms are no exception.

Girl journalist, meet girl entrepreneurs

Devin McIntyre — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 04:43:49 +0000

I’m just a journalist. I know a little about a lot.

But one of my favorite things to do is talk to people at the forefront of his or her field. A person that is so cutting edge, he or she needs to break away from organizations and create his or her own.

This person is an entrepreneur.

I want to get to know their stories: from what motivated them to begin their business, to what has kept them successful, or what was their downfall.

To give you a look ahead, into my furiously churning mind, here are some businesses in AZ that you may not know were started by women:

Be Heard Public Relations Brandye Billeter founded this PR firm with a strong focus on building lasting relationships, and currently represents Shamrock Farms.
Strut Bridal Salon Founder Ann Campeau started this bridal salon for sizes 12+ in 2009 after her own difficulties finding a wedding gown.
Go Go Natural This natural cloth diaper business was started by Meredith Abney in 2007.
Networking Phoenix CEO and founder Gelie Akhenblit is a self professed “social butterfly” and started Networking Phoenix after spending years in marketing, both as an ASU student and after graduation.

I look forward to getting to know the women involved in Arizona’s cutting edge, and hope you will join me.