Introducing myself and my journal: Challenges Being a Woman Entrepreneur

About Me:
I am a woman entrepreneur. I live in Canada and have opened a few businesses along the way. Then I became a single mom and got my degree and a few diplomas. I started re-educating myself when my daughter was 15 months old. It wasn't easy! But, I did it! One of the universities I went to was very pro women. I became very empowered through my education process. Then, I wanted to open my own business...this is when all the challenges began. I enrolled in a self employment program at a university. I could not access a loan for my business and could not keep my business alive. However, then I heard about microcredit lending and this spurred me on besides the fact that I do not let much keep me from doing what I want to achieve. So, I created my own microcredit lending plan for Nova Scotia.
At the same time I began to study available financing for businesses locally in Nova Scotia, then Canada, then internationally. I have developed quite a list of traditonal and non traditonal lenders!
From here I wanted to open a broker financing company to help businesses and women owned businesses. Then the credit crisis happended. Now, you would think this would be a negative. But, it has been a positive for my business - everyone is looking for financing now!
I took on a partner and considered another partner, both men. The second partner I had considered taking on seemed to be working out really well. He was a worker until we did a deal together and he got greedy! I never legally took him on as a partner thankfully and am nearly done with him. Business is really corrupt at times when money is involved.
I just organized a trip with 5 businesses to go to an investor readiness conference in New York city. It was everything I needed to know about venture capitalists and this was basically the only financer that I had not connected with for my clients! New York provided a venue to assist women owned businesses to prepare them for investment readiness.
So, here I am....
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My Passions:
Helping others...

My Challenges:
Finding others with my vison

My Vision for the Future:
More women in business and financing

My Areas of Expertise:
Financing, Relationship Building and Connecting