Mary Kennedy Thompson likes helping people. As president of the Mr. Rooter franchise, she considers her company an opportunity to help people find their dreams and make them come true. Her franchise trumpets its partnership with Ronald McDonald House charities on the home page of its website.  So it wasn't an uncharacteristic leap for the well-traveled former Marine to find herself in Haiti last May, teaching women how to make sure their water is clean and healthy. "When the earthquake hit... Continue Reading »

Like most entrepreneurs, Joanna Meiseles spent her summer vacation hard at work--except that Meiseles, founder of the successful SnipIts kids' haircut franchise, spent hers in the classroom. Her goal: Refine a proposed new business venture while enrolled in Babson College's 10-week Summer Venture Program. Fifteen people were selected to participate in the free program, which offered undergraduates, MBA students and recent alumni the opportunity to accelerate their startup ventures by giving them work space, mentorship, faculty guidance and resources, plus peer stimulation. The program even offered free housing in Babson dorms. Meiseles, who's been an entrepreneur for the past 15... Continue Reading »

A group of 14 Palestinians and Israelis are working hard in San Diego, Calif., this week, collaborating on potentially innovative food products for the U.S. market. Yes, you read that correctly. Palestinians and Israelis, working together to reach a common goal. Capitalism, it seems, neatly trumps political enmity. "It's fascinating to see how well Israelis and Palestinians work together when we're not talking about politics," says Sanford Ehrlich, Qualcomm executive director of entrepreneurship for the Entrepreneurial Management Center and an associate professor of management at San Diego State University. "When you're talking about your profession rather than politics, it's easy... Continue Reading »

Cindy Ashton says she was thrilled in June when she received the Call to Service Award, the highest honor awarded by the office of the president of the United States for 4,000 or more hours of volunteer service to the community. But the award got her thinking about all the people in the world who need even more. IHTML clipboardt seemed to Ashton that her accomplishments to date were only a drop in the bucket. She determined that she had to do better. Her solution: The Red Carpet Dreaming Tour, to raise money for children's charities. The... Continue Reading »

The move to help women become empowered, grow their businesses and succeed as entrepreneurs is gaining power and influence around the world. The latest example I've learned about is the Global Banking Alliance for Women, a network of financial institutions worldwide that aims to accelerate the growth of women in business. The alliance, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, has about 30 members and growing, from banks to financial institutions such as American Express OPEN. It also includes affiliates, from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to women's business organizations, universities, research centers and government agencies. "Anyone who's aligned in economic... Continue Reading »

You can do everything right and still leave your customer with a negative impression, as today's article, "Pay Attention to the Customer Experience," points out. Authors Ann Thomas and Jill Applegate believe entrepreneurs need to know that possibility exists, and do everything they can to counteract it. The article is an excerpt from the book Pay Attention! How to Listen, Respond and Profit From Customer Feedback. It describes two customer experiences surrounding car repairs. In both cases, the problem was a loose gas cap that caused the "service engine soon" light to come on. In each case,... Continue Reading »

Thom Ruhe believes firmly that entrepreneurship is the key to world peace. "If you think about it," says the Kauffman Foundation's director of entrepreneurship, "if you're giving birth to something--a company--you're adding value in your society, employing people, producing a product that's in demand in the market and contributing to your community. You're less likely to strap a bomb to your body and kill a bunch of people." That's why Ruhe is particularly delighted about this week's Startup Weekend in Tel Aviv, Israel, arranged by co-organizers Amir Harel and Eddie Reznik. Startup Weekend is a catalyst for startups... Continue Reading »

Looking for a fun way to drum up some interest in your business? Take a tip from Office Depot, which keeps dreaming up wacky contests to introduce its newest office offerings. Last month it was the "Show Us Your Seat" contest. Seven people won a La-Z-Boy office chair after submitting a photo and a story about their "makeshift" or unique office seat. The contest was a way to introduce Office Depot's exclusive new line of La-Z-Boy office chairs. (Click here to see the winning entries.)  This month it's the "Technology Apology" contest, designed to showcase the new Ativa... Continue Reading »

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business is soliciting entries. As an entrepreneur who strives for excellence, you ought to take your best shot. Click here for an entry kit.  The Stevies are open to all women entrepreneurs, executives and the organizations they run, worldwide. It doesn't matter whether you're large or small, public or private, profit or nonprofit. The award was created "to raise the profile of exemplary organizations and individuals among the press, the business community, and the general public." The 54 categories range from Best Entrepreneur and Best New Company to Communications Campaign... Continue Reading »

What makes a truly successful entrepreneur? The Guardian Life Small Business Research Institute believes it has the answer. The latest study in the research series, "The Guardian Life Index: What Matters Most to Small Business Owners," identifies six characteristics common to small-business owners who increase their revenue and expand their companies even in recessionary times. The study is called "Six Dimensions That Characterize Success-Oriented Small Business Owners." And if you want to be counted among those "success-oriented small-business owners," here are the traits you need to foster: 1. Collaborative. Success-oriented small business owners learn how to delegate... Continue Reading »