Today, there’s a lot of attention on women. We’re in the spotlight for phenomenal reasons and terrible reasons - terrible reasons as related to terrible things we’ve endured, not necessarily caused. The news and topics can be defeating. Other days the news is a reminder that this is our time.

I was raised by a feminist. I am a feminist. And I am a business owner. And I feel there is really not a better time to be both a woman and a business owner. We are being heard, we are collectively using our voice and we are succeeding. There are drawbacks. Today, note the date, might be one of those days of drawbacks. I personally decided to not listen to the news this morning while I work so I can be more productive. I’ll have to learn later what the Senate decides.

As for being a powerful woman and a powerful business owner, take some notes, here. Forbes.com supplies some solid tips, that in my years of working in sales, marketing, business strategy and running my own business (s) ring v true to me.

First, I find this is very common (I’m guilty):

“Women entrepreneurs aren't staying stuck at $100,000 to $600,000 because they aren't smart, capable or hard-working,” says Pimsleur. “It's usually that they don't have the right mindset or strategy, don't know how to scale up or even what the scalable part of their business is. Most women are what I call ‘octopreneurs,’ meaning one person trying to do eight jobs.” - Julia Pimsleur, founder of Little Pim (raised $5.9 million in funding).

But here’s her advice, which upon reading, compelled me to write this post and share the article (see article link at end)

THINK ABOUT THIS: What are the high-margin products or services you sell?

What can you sell more of without massively increasing staff or overhead costs?
If you’re running a service company, is it possible to productize your services? (If you’re not familiar with this term, productizing means selling your services as a product. For instance, if you design web sites, you might offer two to three different web site packages, named just as a product would be. Some entrepreneurs are able to sell their services for higher prices and earn higher margins this way, thus making their businesses more scalable than if they charged retainer fees or by the hour)
Do you need to run your company in a new way? Companies that make over $1 million may use different systems and strategies than you do now.
Do you need to run your company in a new way? Companies that make over $1 million may use different systems and strategies than you do now.

I can’t help but personally observe that as women we’re often afraid to be strategic or opportunistic. These traits can be looked down upon as greedy or selfish or overbearing. All traits that when you stop to think about it, are admired and revered in many men.

I think this is changing. I’ve always been an opportunist because I love getting my way and I love getting what I want. But I’m kind, caring and deeply empathetic. Here, lies the super power of women. We can be all of it. We can be the powerful, the successful and the grounded and the caring. All at once.

Do it, own it, be it, live it, love it. This is our time.