I have a passion for entrepreneurship that dates back to selling handmade jewelry at age 11. I’ve owned and managed several small businesses and have been continuously self-employed for over twenty years. For the past 18 years, I’ve been helping entrepreneurs and independent professionals to succeed, as a coach, author, and trainer. I’ve written dozens of articles on entrepreneurship topics, and taught entrepreneurship classes for a wide variety of organizations. My current focus is on supporting right livelihood entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs. You can find out more about my work in that area by visiting Get Clients Now! or Social Entrepreneur Coach. On this site, you’ll find a selection of my entrepreneurship articles (below), details about my books and audios, and announcements of upcoming events.

Every day, I hear self-employed professionals blaming the economy for their business woes. “People aren’t buying right now,” they say. Or, “With the economy this bad, I can’t…” Or, “When the economy improves, I’ll…”

But what if the economy doesn’t improve any time soon? What if the conditions we are experiencing now are the new conditions for the foreseeable future? What might that suggest about how you should be marketing your business? Read More

Start a Service Business Using Your Professional Skills and Talents

Are you cut out to be a consultant? Consulting to businesses and organizations can result in higher earnings than working as an employee, provide you with needed income if you are laid off, and allow you to work from home. But success as a consultant isn’t guaranteed. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how consultants work, the essential elements of starting a consulting practice, and how to land your first clients. Read More

There’s a quiet revolution going on in the world of business. A 2005 survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported that 81% of business executives believe that “corporate citizenship” should be a priority, and 75% report their businesses are actively involved in bettering their communities. In a 2006 survey of MBA students by Net Impact, 81% thought businesses should work toward the betterment of society. Read More

I was one of 39 speakers in this free series of webcasts/teleclasses, the Social Entrepreneur Empowerment Series, which took place in 2011. Although the series has ended, you can still listen to my session and many others at no charge. The series is designed for socially-conscious entrepreneurs, mission-based business owners, and agents of social change, and includes interviews with Bill Drayton, Marianne Williamson, Van Jones, Lynne Twist, and many more. My interview was on the topic How to Get Started with a Social Venture. To listen to replays of many of these sessions, all you have to do is register here.

When Times Get Tough and Jobs Dry Up, Consulting May Be the Ticket

An economic downturn may seem like the wrong time to start your own business, but layoffs and downsizing can create new opportunities for one breed of entrepreneur – the corporate consultant. Companies who lay off full-time workers still have many needs for specific skills, and frequently hire consultants on a short-term or project basis to fill these gaps. If you’ve been laid off yourself, working as a consultant can allow you to earn a good income while salaried jobs are scarce. Read More

Building a Culture that Supports Women Entrepreneurs

Supporting entrepreneurship in the developing world has long been considered one of the best approaches to “teach people to fish” and build sustainable local economies. In recent years, studies by the United Nations, World Bank, and others have shown that women entrepreneurs are more likely to contribute to community development than men, and are therefore better candidates for support programs. Read More