Business

Facebook has over 800 million users with the average user being connected to 80 community pages, events, and groups. How about bumping up that number a bit on your likes? With the majority of young, female entrepreneurs being part of that 800 million, we live our lives on Facebook. Do your Facebook “likes” reflect your lifestyle as a YFE?

The following Facebook Pages are YFE’s first recommended Pages. They are of businesses that are either owned by, created for, or speak especially well to a young, female entrepreneur. They are not in anyway exhaustive, but merely a kick off point in compiling great resources for YFEs to take note of on Facebook. Visit the following 57 Facebook Pages for young, female entrepreneurs…

News

1- Inc — “The MAGAZINE for GROWING COMPANIES”

2- Entrepreneur — “Inspiring, informing and celebrating entrepreneurs since 1973″

3- Forbes — “The home page for the world’s business leaders.”

Government

4- The White House — “This is the White House page on Facebook. Comments posted on and messages received through White House pages are subject to the Presidential Records Act and may be archived. Learn more at WhiteHouse.gov/privacy” See YFE Director’s post on the White House blog regarding young, female entrepreneurs.

Events

5- Crave — “CRAVE Seattle innovatively connects small business owners with the customers they CRAVE.”

6- Social Media Club — “Social Media Club hosts conversations that explore key issues facing our society as technologies transform the way we connect, communicate, collaborate and relate to each other.”

7- eWomen — “Welcome to the Official eWomenNetwork Facebook Page. eWomenNetwork is the #1 resource for connecting and promoting women and their businesses.”

8- Girl Power Hour — “Stylish networking events for women since 2007.”

9- Startup Weekend — “Startup Weekend is a global network of passionate leaders and entrepreneurs on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower individuals, teams and communities. Come share ideas, form teams, and launch startups.”

Community

10- Power Chicks — “Power Chicks helps entrepreneurs and small business owners create successful companies through coaching, online resources and events that provide valuable connections and learning.”

11- Women 2.0 — “Women 2.0 aims to be an indispensable resource of content and connections for entrepreneurial women worldwide.”

12- Biznik — “We believe in people, not professions”

13- Savor the Success — “Savor the Success is the premium business network for women entrepreneurs. We focus on online & in-person networking, education, PR opps, celebrity gift baskets, and more!”

Young Entrepreneurs

14- The Young Entrepreneurs Council — “The Young Entrepreneur Council (Y.E.C.) is an invite-only nonprofit organization comprised of the country’s most promising young entrepreneurs.” Get an overview of Y.E.C founder, Scott Gerber’s livestream on finding press.

15- Under 30 CEO — “The leading media property for young entrepreneurs.”

16- Young Entrepreneur — “This page is dedicated to providing information and advice to entrepreneurs around the world. Brought to you and managed by the Founders of YoungEntrepreneur.com, Matthew Toren and Adam Toren.”

17- Her Campus — “HerCampus.com is the #1 online magazine for college women with branches at 175+ colleges across the country. ” Editor’s Note: this online publication is not strictly for the young, entrepreneur. However, Her Campus was founded by young, female entrepreneurs who often feature their peers on the site.

Fashion

18- Stop Traffic Clothing — “sells the finest Retro & Pin-up fashion.” Read Rebecca’s YFE Profile.

19- Crispy Bikinis — “CRISPYBIKINIS is a fashion forward, lifestyle driven web based business specializing in laid-back and luxurious swimwear with classic undertones.” Read this mother-daughter duo’s YFE Profile.

20- Faire Frou Frou — “Faire Frou Frou is the ultimate luxury lingerie boutique both online & in Los Angeles; designer lingerie, loungewear, swim & more.”

21- Rent the Runway — “Rent the Runway provides access to premier dress and accessory rentals online for just 10% of retail price.”

22- Modcloth — “Mod clothes abound, but don’t pin us down. We have indie, vintage-inspired, retro & one-of-a-kind vintage!” Read Susan Koger is a Champion of Change.

23- Bag, Borrow or Steal — “Bag Borrow or Steal – Designer Handbags & Accessories”

24-  VLV Style — “Wear vlv style and start your day on an inspiring note.” Read Ayako’s YFE Profile.

Health

25- For the Glow — “Seattle based fitness & nutrition expert bringing you ~ Green living, Lifestyle, Organic Beauty & Wellness.” Read a post from Jennifer Jordan on positive energy.

26- Gabrielle Bernstein — “Gabrielle is the bestselling author of Add More ~ing To Your Life and the forthcoming book Spirit Junkie (Sept 2011 launch).”

27- Amanda Russell Workouts — “I’m a Wilhelmina Model, Product spokesperson, health and fitness expert, author and am famous for my crazy dancing, and laughing so hard my stomach hurts.”

28- Office on Women’s Health – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — “Our vision is to improve the health and well-being of all U.S. women and girls. We accomplish this by leading and coordinating the efforts of all the HHS agencies and offices involved in women’s health.”

Business Coaching

29- Actionable Business Training — “Actionable, Caring, Customized & Convenient Training for Passionate Entrepreneurs.” Read Rigdha’s YFE Profile.

30- Startup America Partnership — “By entrepreneurs. For entrepreneurs.”

31- Ali Brown — “Ali Brown is an entrepreneur mentor and philanthropist who works with women around the world, helping them start and grow businesses and live extraordinary lives.”

32- Marie Forleo — “Are you ready to up your business game? You’re in the right place.”

33- Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)  — “The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship is a non-profit that provides programs to inspire young people from low-income communities to stay in school, to recognize business opportunities and to plan for successful futures.”

Marketing

34- CTL360 — “The Creative Solution Creative Agency & Design House specializing in Advertising. Because great ideas don’t need big budgets, just the right people.” Listen in on Sarah’s YFE Podcast.

35- Robin Fisher Roffer — “Hi, my name is Robin Fisher Roffer. My specialty is Reinventing Brands and Reigniting Professionals.” Read the Robin Fisher Roffer YFE Twitter chat recap on personal branding.

36- Devani Freeman — “I’m a Social Media Manager/Trainer, Online Marketing Consultant, Network Marketer and wellness lover. If you are looking to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and collaborate within this amazing community, please join us!” See Devani’s YFE Profile.

37- Entrepreneuress Academy — “Creating and Perfecting the Art of Living Through Success, Savvy and Style. Making money online is not just for the boys.” See Melanie Duncan’s YFE Profile.

Parenting

38- Mission Hot Mama — “Join Jenni Hogan & her hot mama team on their mission to inspire other mamas to kick booty and shine!” See Jenn’s post on youth entrepreneurship and motherhood on MHM.

39- Sitting Around — “Sitting Around makes parents’ lives easier.” See Erica’s YFE profile and mention as a Champion of Change.

Photography

40- Keri Meyers — “Seattle newborn photographer and mentor.”

41- Elyse Kufeldt Photography — “”Love loves to love love.” To me, this is what being a photographer is all about — celebrating the beautiful relationships you share with those you cherish most and being able to love the look of your love.” See Elyses’ YFE Profile as a business owner attending university.

42- Michelle Moore — “Michelle Moore Photography is the premier High School Senior Portrait studio on the West Coast. ” See Michelle’s YFE Profile as a dual city fashion photographer.

Blogging

43- Young House Love — “Your one stop shop for home improvement and interior design inspiration.”

44- Your Bella Life — “To add COLOR to your world!”

45- The Daily Muse — “We bring smart content, employment opportunities and like-minded community to young professional women.”

46- Shebytes — “‘Her’ Resource on Technology News: for her Business, for her Life, and for her Soul. ”

47- GenPink — “a pink perspective on gen y.”

48- Stratejoy — “Strategies for Gen Y Joyful Living. Me? Molly Mahar. Coach, Writer, Optimist. You? Gutsy Woman. Lover of adventure, happiness, rockin’ out, making a difference & being authentic.” Get a taste for what Molly does with her strategy for joy for YFE.

Philanthropy

49- FITE — “FITE: Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship, connects you to women entrepreneurs in the US + 57 countries. With a small loan, women can create a sustainable income, uplifting themselves and their communities.”

50- Kiva — “Kiva.org is the world’s first personal micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend to an entrepreneur. By combining microfinance with the internet, Kiva.org is creating a global community of people connected through lending.”

51- Girl Up — “Uniting girls to change the world. A UN Foundation campaign.”

52- Million Moms Challenge — “The Million Moms Challenge is a historic, first-of-its-kind campaign – a call to action to engage a million Americans with millions of moms in the developing world facing issues impacting pregnancy, childbirth and children’s health.”

53- The Breast Cancer Research Foundation — “Prevention and A Cure in Our Lifetime”

54- Girls Inc — “Girls Inc. delivers life-changing programs that inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold.”

Financial

55- Learnvest — “At LearnVest, we equip you with the most relevant information and products that help you take control of your financial future.”

56- Invest2Innovate — “Invest2Innovate, or i2i, is a global social enterprise intermediary that connects investors with social entrepreneurs focused on building sustainable enterprises in emerging markets.”

57- Pennywise — “You work hard for your money. Does your money work hard for you?” See Pennywise founder, Staci Dennett’s YFE Profile.

Did we miss you? Does your organizations’ Facebook Page warrant a YFE following? Let us know so we can add you onto future posts by introducing yourself to YFE on Facebook.com/youngfemaleentrepreneurs wall. Tell us why you are in business, how you fulfill your mission, and what you do.

Future Facebook lists will vary by region, industry, need, demographic served, etc.

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Crowdfunding has been an accepted form of financing for some time now in the world of nonprofits and the arts. In the last few years the concept has stretched over into other forms of commercial endeavors with the ability to easily ask a large group of people to participate in contributing financially to a projects’ creation through the use of online tools. One online tool that makes this process easier is Kickstarter.

So what do Kickstarter and Alicia Sully have in common? Alicia Sully is one of the founders (along with Philipa Young; see her YFE profile here) of What Took You So Long Foundation. One of their most recent projects is a documentary on camel milk called “Hot Choclate for Bedouins.” Sully and her team have been invited to present their film at the Experimental Food Society Spectacular in London at the end of the month. To fund their trip she is completing a “Camel Milk Me Detox.”

When you fund her “Camel Milk Me Detox” via Kickstarter you receive rewards in the form of gaining access to videos documenting the process, a camel milk shirt, and even camel milk. The project doesn’t go unless she reaches her total amount needed within the time allotted. At this point she is looking pretty good.

Regardless of the need for financial backing or not, crowdfunding is a creatie way to market a larger product, service, or company with smaller projects… and have financial backing to do so. It’s also a great way to test the market before going into production. Finally, getting back to the actual financing part… this is just another form of proof that there is always a way to execute a great idea (big or small). Lack of money, time, and talent is no match for passion. If you want to do something, find a way to do it.

Check out Alicia Sully’s Kickstarter project (looks like something YFEs in the health and wellness industry might find fun too!).

IMG Courtesy Alicia Sully Kickstarter Profile and geezaweezer

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YFE has the honor of running weekly profiles on entrepreneurial women in their 20s and 30s. One question that is always asked is whether or not they have found their age is an advantage. The answer almost always includes some form of yes, but will often cite being taken seriously as a problem.

A story ran in The Globe and Mail today titled “Young entrepreneurs caged by age.” The article reviews accounts from three young men who explain the ways they have circumvented the disadvantages that come with building a business as a young entrepreneur. They own construction, SEO, and app businesses and have all come across problems when it comes to how young they are that range from real estate, employee retention, to landing large accounts.

The article lists some of the issues these young men have had to overcome and how they did so. For example, to make sure those visiting his offices wouldn’t be confused by who is boss, one of the owners mentioned in the article, Jason Parks of  Profab Corp.  ”…hung pictures of himself, clearly labelled as CEO, at the reception desks of his two fabrication facilities.”

As a young woman myself who has partnered with her parents in business, being taken seriously has been a pain point of mine on occassion. Some of our hosting clients would rather speak with my mother than me, association officials have attempted to micro manage me where they haven’t others, and I will get an odd look here and there. Philippa of the What Took You So Long Foundation commented in her recent YFE profile that “Occasionally you might come across people who underestimate you based on outward appearances. This, you can turn to be another advantage when you shock them out of their first impressions and win them over. But it remains a sad fact that there are still groups of people who don’t grasp the potential of Generation Y’s enthusiasm for breaking molds and doing good.”

Problems may arise not only from being young, but also from being a woman in business. ”I’ve met some men who have been super nice and promising with leads, but have cut me off after they found out I am not interested in a personal relationship,” explains Ayako of vlv style. Apart from the questions that arise with the motives of others, is the feelings of inadequacy some women bring to the table. Being a young, female entrepreneur requires us to “be more assertive then we like to be,” Devani Freeman argues.

Being pushed past our comfort zones may also be seen as an advantage when you are young. As Sara Jahangir of Wondermilk explains, “the advantages are that I have nothing to lose. I am at that place in my life where I can try, test and take risks without any repercussions.” Krystal Harrell has a similar outlook on her age and business after struggling with others putting her down and seeing her as just a kid. She finally decided to own up to her age. “I don’t let my appearance determine my outcome, I have embraced it” as Harrell explains. Ultimately, if you are passionate enough and know what you want, you can use your drive and enthusiasm to make up for what you lack in years of experience.

Steve Curtis of Zag Global Inc. admits in “Young entrepreneurs caged by age“ that to get where he is today in his company he “had a lot of growing up to do.” You don’t have to be perfect today in business. Know where you want to be and figure out what it will take to get you there. If it’s therapy like it was for Curtis go get it, if it’s hanging up your photo with the title CEO in the reception office like it was for Parks, do it.

“You have to build a reputation. However, I think it’s easier to be motivated to achieve when you’re younger. Hopefully you can learn faster and you are generally more adaptable to change” explains Rebecca McWattie of Stop Traffic Clothing. Being taken seriously may take time as you build your reputation, but with enthusiasm and dedication it may happen sooner than you think.

Like Krystal reminded us with in her profile, “embrace your age and go for it.” What has been an issue for you in building your business being in your 20s and 30s? What have you done to solve it?

Img Courtesy Shandi-lee

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Would you want to hear more about regional, national, and international business plan, elevator pitch, and other entrepreneurial competitions?

Boise Young Professionals, a program of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce just kicked off their b|launched competition that encourages the creation of tech startups, entrepreneurship education, and job creation in the Boise City area.

BYP has created a one of a kind, “soup to nuts” competition that is designed to connect Boise’s young professional talent with experienced entrepreneurs to encourage idea development and create company startups.

Read more about it on the BYP website.

You can find a competition similar to this occurring around the world at any given time. Often their is some form of prize money, grant, incubation period, mentorship, or sponsorship involved for those who win. YFE wants to be a resource for you to find competitions that are geared towards your industry, geographic area, being young, and being a female.

Would having a list of entrepreneurial competitions with further information be beneficial to you?

IMG Courtesy M31

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Thank you to all who came out to yesterday’s #YFEchat on Twitter! The next Twitter chat is on Thursday, September 22nd at 4pm PST/7pm EST. The past two weeks YFE has been honored to feature some amazing young, female entrepreneurs such as Ayako Igari and Erica Zidel. You will also be able to find posts to inspire and point you in the direction you were seeking such as Molly Mahar’s podcast on getting comfortable with your fear and the recap Scott Gerber’s YEC presentation on PR.

Young Female Entrepreneurs is just getting started. Thank you for being part of our community!

Relative ‘In the News’ YFE Shared Links

A reader wrote in frustrated that a Canadian Business Magazine cover “has done a disservice to young women in business.” Read the whole opinion and the response Shahrzad Rafati, the CEO of Broadband TV gives (the woman on the cover). What are your thoughts on this?

It’s the time for a new-world border | CanadianBusiness.com

Welcome to post Labor Day summer :) How about starting the rest of the year off with a fresh office look. Love what SPANX by Sara Blakely has going on in their office space.

Spanx’s Sara Blakely on How She Created an Inspiring Work Environment | Video | Entrepreneur.com

Interesting article on what happens when you give a young person $1,500 to start their own business. A win for Canada!

YourOttawaRegion Article: Aqua Academy in Stittsville

Have been reading stories like this one almost everyday now. Have you started a company out of necessity due to the economy or has it been part of a larger vision you have for yourself for some time now?

Still going to FGCU, and yet theyre entrepreneurs

For those of you still in the dark when it comes to the Our Time Buy Young Initiative take a few moments to watch this video and tell us what you think about the campaign.

The Buy Young Initiative Encourages Young Entrepreneurs and Consumers | Nightly Business Report | PB

IMG Courtesy Pink Sherbet Photography

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