Becoming Your Own Boss As a Woman at Mid-Career

By DANA MATTIOLI

A mentor's advice can be an asset to those starting their own business. V. Cheryl Womack, chairperson of the nonprofit organization Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World, encourages women business owners to provide guidance to others aspiring to entrepreneurial goals. Ms. Womack, who founded and sold five businesses in the trucking industry, joined the Kansas City, Mo., organization in 2002.

CareerJournal.com asked Ms. Womack, a former school teacher, to share some tips for women seeking to start a solo business at midcareer.

1. View problems as opportunities.
"Women are nurturers. When I went to conferences about our products, men heard problems, and 'Woe is me.' I heard opportunities of businesses to start. I heard: 'Oh, that's a problem for you? What can we do about that?' So I loved conferences, because that's where I'd go get all of my great business ideas."

2. Network with successful entrepreneurs.
"Even before you think you want to be in a business, go to a group of business peoples' meetings, some organization, and talk to some people who have taken the challenge on...The world will tell you what you can't do. You need people around who are doing what couldn't be done."

3. Stop making excuses.
"We sabotage ourselves... We're at work today, and there's this group that's going to talk about what it takes to be an entrepreneur, and we're interested but, 'Oh gosh, I better go home and make dinner and see my husband and see the kids....' But that will be your excuse next time, too...You have to make yourself go out there, and see those opportunities."

4. Be noticed.
"As much as it was a difficulty, it was also an asset to be a woman. You go in, and you're the only woman in the room. And when you give out your business cards, it's not hard to remember who you are when you follow up on the phone calls."