The Girls' Guide to Building a Million-Dollar Business Book

Foreword   Michael E. Gerber     xi
Preface     xiii
Acknowledgments     xv
Introduction     xvii
Laying the Groundwork for a Million-Dollar Business
Start the Million-Dollar Journey     3
You Look Like a Million     3
Revealing a Well-Kept Secret: Knowing Where to Look     4
If You Don't Believe in You, No One Else Can     8
You've Seen and Conquered Before     12
Grit Your Teeth and Go for It     16
Think Big and Bold     19
Shout It Out     20
Mind Over Money     22
Bigger Can Be Better     26
Take Action: Make It Happen     27
If at First You Don't Succeed...     29
Get Ready, Get Set, Grow     33
Get Your House in Order     33
Relationships May Change: Be Prepared     37
Create a Peer Support Network     41
Mentors Can Guide Your Growth     43
Using the Four Strategic Keys to Growing Your Business
Create the Vision     49
Define the Vision of Your Company     49
Articulate Your Mission     51
Communicate the Core Values     52
Create the Right Business Plan     55
Focus, Focus, Focus     59
Invest in Professional Resources and Advisors     60
Step Up to the Role of CEO     63
Build an Advisory Board     65
Develop the Right Team     69
Let Go to Grow     70
Take Action Every Day     72
Hire the Right People     73
Hire the Best Candidate, Not the Best Job Seeker     75
Invest in Retention: Get Started on the Right Foot     77
Identify Your Company's Pink Cadillac     79
Attract the Best and the Brightest Through Innovation and Creativity     82
Take Emotions Out of the Workplace     83
Tap into Hidden Talents     85
Create Systems to Ensure Consistent Results     86
Learn from Resignations to Help You Grow     87
Implement Key Marketing Strategies     91
Create a Killer Brand     91
Shake Things Up: Create a Unique Value Proposition     94
Cultivate and Connect with Customers and Clients     97
Create a Customer Advisory Board     99
Know Your Competition     100
Touch Your Customers in Unique Ways     102
Become a Media Maven     106
Apply for Awards      109
Enjoy the Rewards of Networking     112
Go for the Gold     114
Bag the Big Business Deals     116
Don't Put All Your Eggs into One Basket     120
Fund Your Business Growth     123
Obtain the Funding     126
Begin the Money Hunt     128
Get Credit When You Don't Need It     131
Get to Know People in the Investment Community     132
Perfect Your Pitch     134
Angel Investors     136
Venture Capital     137
Overcome Gender Bias     140
Develop an Exit Strategy     144
Leave a Legacy     147
Accelerating Your Business Growth
Develop Growth Strategies     153
Control the Growth     153
Build Together Through Strategic Alliances     155
Develop Smart Partnerships     156
Think Globally for Growth     159
Think Franchising for Fast Growth     162
Reap the Benefits of Direct Sales     164
The Rest of the Story     169
You've Gotta Love It     170
Define Success for Yourself     170
Stay True to Yourself     172
Cherish Yourself     173
Pay Yourself What You Are Worth     176
Be an Unintentional Mentor     178
Choose Your Battles Wisely     179
Expect the Unexpected     181
Reap the Ultimate Reward: Giving Back     183
You Can Do It     187
Great Resources     189
Celebrating Our Successes     197
Notes     203
Index     205