If you know anyone who is an entrepreneur and you don’t quite understand the lure of the lifestyle, which could be the highest highs and the deepest lows, you have to understand, WE LOVE THE CHALLENGE!  We choose to look at it as a game that we need to win and will figure out any possible way to succeed.  

You must be strong-willed to stick with something, even if it isn’t yielding the greatest results each day. Everything takes time to build, to nurture, and to harvest! We are notorious for having little to no patience, but at the same time, we need patience long-term so that we don’t give up.

Don’t be afraid of high hopes
or plans that seem to be out of reach.
Life is meant to be experienced,
and every situation allows for
learning and growth.

All successful entrepreneurs have the following qualities (Kristine Geimure):

Inner Drive to Succeed
Entrepreneurs are driven to succeed and expand their business. They see the bigger picture and are often very ambitious. Entrepreneurs set massive goals for themselves and stay committed to achieving them regardless of the obstacles that get in the way.

Strong Belief in themselves
Successful entrepreneurs have a healthy opinion of themselves and often have a strong and assertive personality. They are focused and determined to achieve their goals and believe completely in their ability to achieve them. Their self optimism can often been seen by others as flamboyance or arrogance but entrepreneurs are just too focused to spend too much time thinking about un-constructive criticism.

Search for New Ideas and Innovation
All entrepreneurs have a passionate desire to do things better and to improve their products or service. They are constantly looking for ways to improve. They’re creative, innovative and resourceful.

Openness to Change
If something is not working for them they simply change. Entrepreneurs know the importance of keeping on top of their industry and the only way to being number one is to evolve and change with the times. They’re up to date with the latest technology or service techniques and are always ready to change if they see a new opportunity arise.

Competitive by Nature
Successful entrepreneurs thrive on competition. The only way to reach their goals and live up to their self imposed high standards is to compete with other successful businesses.

Highly Motivated and Energetic
Entrepreneurs are always on the move, full of energy and highly motivated. They are driven to succeed and have an abundance of self motivation. The high standards and ambition of many entrepreneurs demand that they have to be motivated!

Accepting of Constructive Criticism and Rejection
Innovative entrepreneurs are often at the forefront of their industry so they hear the words “it can’t be done” quite a bit. They readjust their path if the criticism is constructive and useful to their overall plan, otherwise they will simply disregard the comments as pessimism. Also, the best entrepreneurs know that rejection and obstacles are a part of any leading business and they deal with them appropriately.

True entrepreneurs are resourceful, passionate and driven to succeed and improve. They’re pioneers and are comfortable fighting on the frontline The great ones are ready to be laughed at and criticized in the beginning because they can see their path ahead and are too busy working towards their dream.

Successful businesspeople have many traits in common with one another. They are confident and optimistic. They are disciplined self starters. They are open to any new ideas which cross their path. Here are ten traits of the successful entrepreneur.

1. Disciplined

These individuals are focused on making their businesses work, and eliminate any hindrances or distractions to their goals. They have overarching strategies and outline the tactics to accomplish them. Successful entrepreneurs are disciplined enough to take steps every day toward the achievement of their objectives.

2. Confidence

The entrepreneur does not ask questions about whether they can succeed or whether they are worthy of success. They are confident with the knowledge that they will make their businesses succeed. They exude that confidence in everything they do.

3. Open Minded

Entrepreneurs realize that every event and situation is a business opportunity. Ideas are constantly being generated about workflows and efficiency, people skills and potential new businesses. They have the ability to look at everything around them and focus it toward their goals.

4. Self Starter

Entrepreneurs know that if something needs to be done, they should start it themselves. They set the parameters and make sure that projects follow that path. They are proactive, not waiting for someone to give them permission.

5. Competitive

Many companies are formed because an entrepreneur knows that they can do a job better than another. They need to win at the sports they play and need to win at the businesses that they create. An entrepreneur will highlight their own company’s track record of success.

6. Creativity

One facet of creativity is being able to make connections between seemingly unrelated events or situations. Entrepreneurs often come up with solutions which are the synthesis of other items. They will repurpose products to market them to new industries.

7. Determination

Entrepreneurs are not thwarted by their defeats. They look at defeat as an opportunity for success. They are determined to make all of their endeavors succeed, so will try and try again until it does. Successful entrepreneurs do not believe that something cannot be done.

8. Strong people skills

The entrepreneur has strong communication skills to sell the product and motivate employees. Most successful entrepreneurs know how to motivate their employees so the business grows overall. They are very good at highlighting the benefits of any situation and coaching others to their success.

9. Strong work ethic

The successful entrepreneur will often be the first person to arrive at the office and the last one to leave. They will come in on their days off to make sure that an outcome meets their expectations. Their mind is constantly on their work, whether they are in or out of the workplace.

10. Passion

Passion is the most important trait of the successful entrepreneur. They genuinely love their work. They are willing to put in those extra hours to make the business succeed because there is a joy their business gives which goes beyond the money. The successful entrepreneur will always be reading and researching ways to make the business better.

Successful entrepreneurs want to see what the view is like at the top of the business mountain. Once they see it, they want to go further. They know how to talk to their employees, and their businesses soar as a result.

Qualities of a Successful Entrepreneur(Alexander Gordon):

Entrepreneurs are persevering, are lovers of challenges, are action oriented and are quick to learn, and adopt techniques to perform better as well as improve their business. They are independent extroverts who have the ability to lead people, manage them effectively, and steer their business toward its success. They are intelligent and able to utilize their skills, time, resources, and energy effectively. They are emotionally stable and healthy. They set reasonable, realistic goals and determine the ways to achieve the goals without fuss, have good communication skills as well as the ability to judge people and trust them accordingly. They have business acumen even without attending any business school and have the right instinct to make the right decision at the right time. They have the ability to make maximum use of the available resources and do not fear failure and are able to solve problems and seek solutions to existing problems easily.

Some Other Traits of Entrepreneurs:

o Leadership: An entrepreneur is a natural leader with the vision and the drive to do things right and steer his company toward success with ease.

o Confidence: He has to be self-confident, confident in his plans as he has carefully researched them and has mastered the skills necessary to implement them carefully.

o Energetic: They have amazing capacity for hard work and are energetic, motivating those that come in contact with them on account of their drive and determination.

o Creative And Innovative: This will be an essential criterion to design and sell products that are interesting which offer several benefits and have a competitive edge, making sure they capture the target market on launch without much difficulty.

o Organized: Entrepreneurs have to be highly organized and systematic, making it possible to achieve things in a much shorter time. The ability to deliver anything that has been promised on time and the ability to stick to schedules are necessary for a person to be a successful entrepreneur.

o Have Trouble Being Subordinates: They usually are strong-willed and have trouble working under someone else.

o Highly Competitive: They are very competitive and will strive offer better services and products than the competition.

o Will Not Hesitate To Take Risks: Risks are part of any business, and a successful entrepreneur will have the knack of taking calculated risks that will only benefit the business.

o Will Not Hesitate To Seek Help When Necessary: They will hire necessary staff to help them in areas where they are not very confident.

Been away for a few days now, and have had so many ideas, brainstorms, and was battling the worst cold ever, AND then back problems! Sometimes I think, WTF? Do I really deserve these setbacks? I feel sorry for myself momentarily because I have way too much to accomplish and these setbacks put a damper on my ability to achieve! I don’t vacation and perhaps it is a way for my body to say to me, “I need a break right now.” Rest up!

These are a few of my favorite day dreams: Creating an inspirational blog network by mentoring  people who love to write! I have found my first project/mentor-ship, Jackie Michelle! A powerful, inspired 19 year old who has lived a challenging life up to now, but has taken all that she has gone through and come out on top. Walking the walk, talking the talk. Blog soon to be coming. I believe she will be a voice of wisdom for young people currently struggling with  addictions and unproductive behavior.

Owning a Thrift Shop in Fairfield County! Wouldn’t that be the joint? Everyone I know goes to NYU area of NYC to shop thrift, aka, Meg Ehlers, et al.. Why not create a Consignment/Thrift Shop in FF County? I love Wicked Thrift in Cape Cod, Tammy Venneri is a complete inspiration, via Christine “Krit” Campbell (her partner’s motorcycle engine site). Tammy loves Vintage! I love Vintage too.. what is better than having on something NO ONE HAS ON. I always feel unnatural mall shopping, or buying something that en masse is living in! Everything in my store would be for SALE, furniture, clothing, all sorts of items, like my friend Diane’s friend, at The Penny Pincher (total designer consignment) as well! I would also have a handcrafted section to feature some of my favorite girl designers!

I want to create a women’s networking night! All my girls with their own businesses or in business who can learn from one another, share marketing tips, get to know one another and brain storm about how to grow, and meet one another to team up for trunk shows, etc! All ideas comes to me constantly in a fervent manner, bombarding my senses. On top of all this, my writing, my belts, my stuff, it is all achingly exciting.

Sometimes when we follow our dreams, it can be challenging to make ends meet. Is the answer as simple as get a job you don’t like, that will pay you enough to allow you to not depend on others for anything at all, and be miserable?  The age old question! Through being miserable, illness strikes, depression can set in and you can have that harrowing feeling that you are selling out. Selling out who you are, and what your purpose is on this earth. The practical part of everyone tells them to go ahead and get that annoying and belittling job that doesn’t use a lick of what you went to college for, what you love to do, and part of everyone nags at their very core telling you to follow your purpose, regardless of the financial implications. Society is built upon the premise that what you own is indicative of the quality of your success., at least that is what the media tells us!

It can be challenging to continue on your path when you are faced with great obstacles and challenges as a result of following your vision or purpose. It is then that you must really stay your course because if you give up, you will have never known the sweet success of your vision. But what is the sweet success of your vision anyway? A nice car, a big home, or happiness? Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not a hippy by any means, but societal labels beg others to place some sort of perception on you. Advertising is to blame for this! All the things outside of us are the only way we have to tell the world around us who we are. Our chosen style of dress, our home, our cars, and our shoes.

Because human beings don’t openly interact with one another, or say, strangers don’t communicate regularly, so we assert our vision of ourselves through material items to tell the world who we are. Instead of random acts of kindness, a smile, or a good clean calm way about ourselves, we find it invaluable to just be. That should be enough for society. Why does one even care about society and it’s fictitious pressures? Men feel an innate sense of having to take care of the family, and therefore put undue pressure on themselves to do something to yield great amounts of capital instead of follow their dreams often times. I talk to people who work their jobs and I always ask them, is this what you envisioned your life to be? Are you doing what you love? Most often, they say no. I talked to one woman when I was bartending, serving her drinks, and we had a talk about her working life. She told me she worked in IT at the Norwalk Hospital. I said, “Do you love it?” She said she didn’t, and if she had her way she would have a yoga studio/wine store/tea store! I thought of how cool that could be. She lit up as she talked about it. She was sitting and drinking at a bar on a Sunday night, anticipating her not so exciting Monday back to work.

I don’t want to be naive and convey to all that I am absent of common sense because I know life is expensive. I work very hard, harder than most, because I choose to spend as much time as I can doing what makes me happy. That is writing and taking charge in Dr. Henry Grayson’s professional life. He is a man who is assisting society with their psychological pain,  a job I consider very important and can see how one can be passionate about it.  Being a leader, I love being in charge of what I do, and being entrusted to make decisions. I get the respect I need and deserve. I get to plan, and handle details for events that shape other’s lives in a positive way! I can think of nothing more true to my soul. I am creative by writing,  shooting and editing videos, and strategizing about how to get the word out about these great opportunities to learn self healing from a master in the field! On top of that I am entrusted with a lot of responsibility, and am challenged mentally, and stimulated intellectually! Who can say that about their job? I hope lots of people, but I have a suspicion that many don’t feel that way. They are stumbling through life aimlessly searching for that secret element that will fulfill them spiritually and intellectually.

I also work for an asset management firm part time, which can be exciting to be around, due to the changes, uncertainty, and overall risk. I enjoy the personalities of the people who choose that profession because it requires a hell of a lot of confidence! I like the energy of it, and appreciate the great mathematical minds that come up with the genius like formulas that allow them to make informed choices while managing billions of dollars!  I also flex my creative muscle by crafting my handmade fabric belts, which, if I had enough time to really bang out, would more than likely be a million dollar company because so many markets are untapped and my product is of great quality because I work hard on it. I like to do things right.

I also blog in 3 different ways, all of them important to me. It is vitally important for me to express myself here on sandraoles.com because I feel like I hash out a lot publicly, and know many others struggle with the same questions in life! I have always been a thinker and a helper. This way I can do both! My interview show is of paramount importance to me on blogtalkradio.  Talking with and connecting with people is what I love to do, but I don’t do it ad nauseum. I select. In this crazy world, it grounds me and shows me that we all have things in common with one another. It also allows me to act on my intuition and to confirm it to myself which in turn creates a knowledge of myself  that is priceless! I, therefore, can assert myself confidently in this life and share my vulnerability.

I love films, particularly indie films that are a bit edgy or more off the beaten path, so I blog about them on filmandpotcorn.com. They are humorous reviews, not entirely staid, but entirely me.  I hope this little diatribe resonates with someone out there and helps them to validate their concerns about the way they are attempting to live their truth! All we have is who we are, not who someone else is and not who someone else thinks we should be.

We need to pay attention to the signs that we should be doing something that is close to our hearts and excites us! We all need to live for ourselves! The right people will get it. Let the others fall by the wayside. We all do have to make a living, pay our bills, and survive. Don’t be afraid of a little bit of hard work, because you will be healthier for it, if you are doing what you love or are making progress towards living your own personal truth. I probably work longer hours and harder than most, but I can tell you that I have never been happier to spend my time doing what I love.  I may sometimes be a little bit of a martyr, or over book myself to my detriment, but I am choosing what I do according to my heart. I am not perfect, but pretty perfectly imperfect. (aka Jackee Michelle)

Vicki Abelson has created a literary salon in her living room in Los Angeles called “Women who Write, and occasionally exceptional men, who do too” mostly for women who want to experience first hand, the creative endeavors of others in an informal setting. Showcased are readings for women by women who write. It is a forum where art and the experience of being a woman are shared through prose, song and discussion. This grew out of a small gathering of mommies sharing food, the spoken word and discussion. Within a few months it morphed into a platform where it attracted world renowned celebrity writers such as: Jackie Collins, Marlee Matlin, Tom Bergeron, Evan Handler, Laraine Newman, Susie Essman, Mackenzie Phillips, Kelly Carlin and numerous others! Vicki has always had her hand in some creative profession, as she has been an actress, a comedian, rock and roll promoter in New York City and a producer. In other words, she has vision! Vicki leads these monthly meetings confidently and is clearly passionate and comfortable taking the stage to set up deep and lively discussions! She is adored for her no nonsense and direct communicative style- decidedly rock and roll! She has written her own book entitled, Don’t Jump, a fictionalized memoir and is now in the process of taking her projects to another level where she can share with many more people the valuable experience that women who write has shown already thousands of women nationwide! Listen to the show by following this link! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sandra-oles/2010/10/01/interview-with-visionary-author-and-host-of-literary-forum-women-who-write-vicki-abelson

The beautiful Vicki Abelson!

I have this dream of creating a show that features people defying the norm, doing something other than what society or the media deems normal, acceptable or beautiful.  I want to feature people who are doing their own thing that is positive and breaking barriers all over the spectrum. I cannot take it when expectations are put upon people to act, be, dress, or behave a certain way because it is what is “right” or acceptable! Acceptable to who? Don’t we all just have to answer to ourselves? I am of the school of: IF YOU AREN”T INTENTIONALLY BEING CRUEL, HURTING ANYONE- Anything goes! Seriously, why bother to judge people who are being honest and true to themselves? But really, what made me think of this was my friend Janet Ettele. She told me about going to her mother’s 70th High School Reunion! At this reunion, Janet sat at a table with other attendees, and apparently when you get up to th 70th year, many others from other classes attend as well and there was a particular man who made an impact on her. He was 90 years old and drove by himself to Maine, I think, and then had plans to drive to another city to check on his brewery company investment! At 90 years old, driving all over the place, partying, socializing! This to me is DEFYING THE NORM in every way. It also tells me that one should never retire! If you love what you do, it isn’t work, it gives you purpose! Like my old boss, Russ Reynolds, who had more than enough success, but loved to go to work each day at 74! He loved interacting with all the company CEOs, and developing business! It made him feel alive!

In the show, I would like to feature people who have beaten illnesses, been told they couldn’t do a particular thing and then DID IT! Isn’t life really all about the biology of belief- as Bruce Lipton talks about?! And my boss, Henry Grayson, Ph.D.!? Seriously, breaking boundaries, not being afraid to be who you are, and what people think is a BIG DEAL! It is what entrepreneurship, and individuality is based upon. Do people really need to be a certain age to date one another? Do they need to be young to be beautiful? Do people have to judge so harshly one another? Do people  really have to limit themselves by putting themselves in a box of description? Don’t we all have so much to learn from each other no matter where we may be in life? How does one define success? I will tell you that money has made no one happy. Achieving personal goals, and creating something yourself and actually executing it is success to me!  We place far too much importance on what others think. I pretty much feel that if you like what you do, others will too! If you don’t like your job, others won’t feel great around you and you will ultimately pay for it in some way or another, by under-performing or having a bad attitude. I have been there, trust me.

Think about defying the norm, breaking barriers, and being true to yourself for yourself. It is really the only way to be. I want to do this show! I want to talk to people who have defied “societal rules”… who don’t hold themselves to imaginary rules bestowed upon them by a false media, who walk to the beat of their own drummer, who don’t fall prey to limitations that others place on them or that society places on them.  Are we all really that small that we can be convinced to care what the fuck the Kardashians are doing?

When Ruthie first walked by my table I thought of my best friend who I lost to breast cancer in 2005. She was also 6 feet tall, blonde and beautiful. I said to my dinner companion, “She reminds me so much of Karen.” and the rest is history. I would like to introduce you to Ruthie Lopp, a talented belt buckle artisan who is also my friend!

Her web site is www.naturegirldesigns.comand she is now a Rowaytonite and makes some earthy and fun buckles! Colorful, like my belt prints, but more chunky, funky belt buckle than printy, fun total belt, which is what I do. Check her out!

I was an exhibitor at an EXPO this past weekend in Stamford and met Alicia Grande, a gorgeous and enthusiastic creator of her own eye lash product designed to assist in the thickness, darkness and length of your eyelashes.  I don’t need longer lashes, I need thicker lashes! I got some of the GrandeLASH MD and hope my lashes don’t grow too long, but thicken and darken! I will keep you posted.  If they do get longer, I will have to enlist a barber to trim them and perhaps Eskimo kiss strangers by accident! Not a horrible thing.. hee hee hee..

Alicia Grande, owner, CEO, Product Developer has graciously offered a speical to my readers! 

It’s Alicia Grande the owner of GrandeLASH-MD. This medically formulated prodcut delivers results for lashes in just 4 weeks full results in 3 months and brows take 3 months. Enter the code:” SANDRA” for $5 off the price off the retail price of $59.95 plus free shipping. Here’s to getting back the lashes we used to have when we were younger or never had at all. Keep me posted on your results!

Question: I heard that these kind of products may change the color of my eye. Is this true?

Answer: No. This is false as you do not apply the product into your eye.

Alicia Grande, alicia@grandelashmd.com

I did my first application last eve.. found my eye lid a tiny bit pink this am.. but then again, I didn’t moisturize because I didn’t want to dilute the strength of this product! Day two, NO pinkness at all… and total comfort!  http://www.grandelashmd.com/. I almost forgot, I am also putting this product near my eyebrows to grow some hair back from incessant waxing .. Maybe I will be Brooke Shields-esque in my eyebrow area! That wouldn’t be a bad thing… OMG! I wonder if dudes can put this on their head and grow back hair??!!! Wouldn’t that be grand?

Bethany Glanz of Azure Designs

My oliver green d ring belt set up!

Trendy Bags, Accessories, and Jewelry

Amy Reehl of Sparklies and Kathy Drake of Etoile Gifts, unique sandals, premium pjs, and other accessories!

Katie from Jo Malone, NYC, custom fragrances…

Two Proud Girls showing off their new oliver green D ring belts in Darien!

The beautiful, driven, Angela Jia Kim!

I can so identify with Angela because being an entrepreneur is like a fast track to business school without the formal education!  You have to be the visionary, the marketer, the accountant, the face of the brand and you learn so much in the process.  It is an infectious endeavor and creates a natural ability to want to help others along in their process!

Being an entrepreneur puts you in a special club where you automatically empathize with others like you because you know the blood, sweat and tears you put into your own vision.  You feel akin to others in the same boat. 

At shows, I talk to other vendors all the time and have a compulsion to share information to help them along because I know what it is like to have a passion and have felt the satisfaction of creating a product that people buy.  There is no other feeling like it in the world.. except maybe hitting a straight high and far golf ball off a tee!

This web site is FANTASTIC and I highly recommend it to all you ladies out there struggling and keeping your passion alive with your own business.  Remember, it is SO worth it to be living your passion and keep at it, because the love you have for your product and business will translate to sales.. just wait and watch!

http://www.savorthesuccess.com/

What is Savor the Success?

Savor the Success is a PR Co-Op and a niche social media network for women entrepreneurs both online and offline.

What is a PR Co-Op?

We pool together resources to offer affordable PR tools for Premium Members such as: 

• PR Opps
• Media Lists
• Gift Lists
• Press Release Writing Service
• Holiday Catalog

How do you meet online?

Savor the Success is a cutting-edge social media website that allows you to connect with women internationally in an efficient and easy way.   

• Savor’s Virtual Cafes are a hub of activity and conversations where you can learn from other women entrepreneurs and experts. 
• Expert Cafes are a place for you to get FREE advice from our resident lawyer, social media expert, PR expert, Branding expert, etc.  Think “Dear Abby” with a twist!

why

I started Savor the Success with my husband, Marc (the brains behind the site), because as a business woman, I was craving a way to grow my business and make meaningful connections in a structured, organized way.

I do not have an MBA, nor do I have a business background. Like many women, I followed my bliss and found myself building a business that I loved. I needed some real nuts-and-bolts guidance– from launching to making millions.

how

As a concert pianist by trade, I often had the daunting task of memorizing hundreds of pages of music and performing in front of hundreds and thousands of people.

The process that I developed—getting from the practice room to the concert stage—served me well as I built Om Aroma & Co., the luxury organic spa and skincare company, that I founded in 2007.

From creating the cream formulas to landing dream accounts in five-star luxury resorts and spas in a very short period of time, I used the same building techniques that I had developed as a concert pianist.

People began to notice and started asking how I was able to build a brand new skincare company while going on an intense 40-concert tour across the United States.

I don’t come from a lot of money and I don’t have amazing connections. Women were responding to the fact that I am an ordinary person climbing the ladder step by step with the process that I have created for myself. 

I began leading workshops since I was passionate about helping women to bring their projects to life and sharing my knowledge of how to get to the next level.

I take at least ten steps a day to reach my goals. Others take ten a month. Some take ten a year. What do you do? It’s all about how you play your game. Are you ready for serious movement in your life?

This isn’t for the dreamer—it’s for the doer.

The question is: Are you ready to Savor the Success?
Angela Jia Kim – Co-Founder