Deciding to start your own business is a monumental decision, and to help you make the decision or better execute it, w2wlink.com conducted an exclusive interview with Dr. Marsha Firestone, founder and president of the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO), a womens' organization whose members are a select group of entrepreneurial women presidents. Membership in the group requires annual gross revenue be over two million dollars.
Dr. Firestone in 2003 was appointed to the National Women's Business Council. The Council reports to the President and Congress on issues of importance to women in business. Dr. Firestone understands what kind of mindset it takes to start, grow and lead a multimillion dollar woman-owned business better than most. The average member of Women Presidents' Organization grosses $12M.
During our interview Dr. Firestone speaks about the entrepreneurial mindset of the WPO members that distinguishes them from women entrepreneurs who have not flourished quite so quickly or abundantly. She was enthusiastic and passionate about the topic and clearly cares deeply about helping women grow.
w2wlink: What characteristics do you notice, if any, that are distinguishing of the mentality of the WPO member that makes them able to create the multimillion dollar business as compared to those women who stay small or don’t even start?
Dr. Marsha Firestone: The mind set of the fast growth woman entrepreneur...
- Very driven
- Highly motivated to succeed
- Persistent
- Achievement oriented
- Action oriented -- they are doers – they tend to think and often speak and move, quickly
w2wlink: Is there anything different about their ideas that is noteworthy?
Dr. Marsha Firestone: They have a good idea and can describe why it is unique and special as well as why you should use it.
w2wlink: Is there anything special that you notice about how they innovate?
Dr. Marsha Firestone: They are innovative in creating their idea, dealing with people and are always looking for new ways to be the best.
w2wlink Question: Can you expand on what you mean by persistent?
Dr. Marsha Firestone: Even on the darkest day, they have this ability to keep the fire in their heart going to attain their goals. They take setbacks in stride and do what’s needed to overcome them.
w2wlink Question: How do your members balance their personal and professional lives?
Dr. Marsha Firestone: The common theme among our membership is that they take advantage of the freedom of an entrepreneur to make her own schedule. One member plays with her children and mothers them in the day time and sends out her emails at night. Seventy-five percent of our members are married and 48 percent have children. It depends on the individual needs of each member, and they use that freedom to decide when they are working or not; they create their own working schedules. It varies per person.
To learn more about WPO, see womenpresidentsorg.com. Althought the site is primarily for members, it explains how to become a certified woman-owned business.
Check back on Sundays for more w2wlink.com C-Link Suite Interviews on topics ranging from entrepreneurial success to work-life balance to financial acumen for the savvy business woman and more.
