How often have you gone to a restaurant alone and been asked, 'Just one?' or 'Just you?'? It's happened to me more times than I'd like to count. 'Just' is a limiting word and on this SOLO (but not 'just' me) episode I share the 10 tips to being alone in business but creating or feeling like you have a team...a squad...to combat loneliness and have your business soar! 

Startup founder, entrepreneur and family woman, Felecia Hatcher shares about her own journey from a guidance counselor's low expectations for her future, to founding multiple startups and now empowering youth to achieve their tech and startup goals.

Since 1997 African American women-owned businesses have grown almost 300% AND those same businesses have generated over $50 billion dollars in revenue--creating jobs and more!

Kathey Porter has just co-authored a new book chronicling the stories of a sampling of African American women entrepreneurs and she stops by to talk about what she's found about mentorship, growth and the general grit of Black women entrepreneurs.

“When people ask me what I think about their business idea I say, ‘It doesn’t matter what I think. What do your customers think?'” 

As part of a continuing series of interviews with various entrepreneurs at the tops of their industries, I sat down with 500 Startups Founder, Dave McClure, to talk about what else, money and diversity in Silicon Valley.

Dave McClure is a venture capitalist & founding partner at 500 Startups, an internet startup seed fund and incubator program in Mountain View, CA. He likes to hang out with entrepreneurs, and occasionally invest in startups foolish enough to let him. He has been an investor in over 250 companies including Mint.com, Twilio, Wildfire Interactive, SendGrid, TaskRabbit, SlideShare, Mashery, CreditKarma, KISSmetrics, and MakerBot, among others.

Dave has been geeking out in Silicon Valley for over twenty years, and has worked with companies such as PayPal, Founders Fund, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twilio, Mint.com, Simply Hired, O’Reilly Media, Intel, & Microsoft. Years ago he used to do real work like coding or marketing or running conferences, but these days he mostly does useless stuff like sending lots of email, blogging, and hanging out on Facebook and Twitter.

He barely graduated from Johns Hopkins University and also likes to play ultimate frisbee when his knees don’t hurt.

Never one to hold back, Dave waxes poetic (not really) on:

• His own journey from Johns Hopkins engineering student to being one of the original PayPal employees to angel to juggernaut
• The lack of diversity in Silicon Valley
• His ‘Why’ for founding 500 Startups
• What companies need to do to position themselves for venture capital
• What he looks for in an investment
• Where’s he’s looking to invest next
• The BIGGEST mistakes startups make
• And most importantly…Why the hell he curses so much!!!!????!!!

We're all about how can we help young women build these high growth ventures...those are the businesses that are really able to impact and shape the economics of a country.

Afua Osei is the co-founder of She Leads Africa, a dynamic organization that is empowering professional and entrepreneurial women across the Globe. We sit down to chat about how women of the African Diaspora can soar!

Our last day! It is my truest hope that you and your business succeed beyond your wildest imagination. I love hearing from my readers/listeners, so if I may be of any assistance or you have any follow-up questions to these ten tips, please do reach out to me.

Since 1997, women entrepreneurs have been the fastest growing segment of new business owners. We also have the lowest rates of access to capital and often feel isolated.

Earlier this year I was asked for my top 10 things every woman entrepreneur needs to know. Over the next 10 days on the podcast, each day I will share 1 tip and how you can feel less isolated, more informed and more successful. Feel free to share your own tips too! Here's to your success!

Since 1997, women entrepreneurs have been the fastest growing segment of new business owners. We also have the lowest rates of access to capital and often feel isolated.

Earlier this year I was asked for my top 10 things every woman entrepreneur needs to know. Over the next 10 days on the podcast, each day I will share 1 tip and how you can feel less isolated, more informed and more successful. Feel free to share your own tips too! Here's to your success!

We can't make an impact unless people implement what we share with them. Wendy walks us through the 10 steps to create massive impact. We also talk about knowing our value.

This is good standalone advice, but it also supports #HerPower Biz Tips #2 - You Need to Know Other People and Build Lasting Connections and #6 - You Need To Know How and What to Delegate. Good mentors and peers can help you by sharing industry-specific knowledge and information, as well as general business advice. This is also where joining a formal mastermind or networking group can really add value and educate you as you grow. Additionally, if you’re spending six hours on your WordPress plugin to capture email addresses or change the font on your website’s welcome page, then you clearly don’t know WordPress and should therefore delegate that task to someone else.

Since 1997, women entrepreneurs have been the fastest growing segment of new business owners. We also have the lowest rates of access to capital and often feel isolated.

Earlier this year I was asked for my top 10 things every woman entrepreneur needs to know. Over the next 10 days on the podcast, each day I will share 1 tip and how you can feel less isolated, more informed and more successful. Feel free to share your own tips too! Here’s to your success!

Since 1997, women entrepreneurs have been the fastest growing segment of new business owners. We also have the lowest rates of access to capital and often feel isolated.

Earlier this year I was asked for my top 10 things every woman entrepreneur needs to know. Over the next 10 days on the podcast, each day I will share 1 tip and how you can feel less isolated, more informed and more successful. Feel free to share your own tips too! Here's to your success!

Since 1997, women entrepreneurs have been the fastest growing segment of new business owners. We also have the lowest rates of access to capital and often feel isolated.

Earlier this year I was asked for my top 10 things every woman entrepreneur needs to know. Over the next 10 days on the podcast, each day I will share 1 tip and how you can feel less isolated, more informed and more successful. Feel free to share your own tips too! Here's to your success!

Since 1997, women entrepreneurs have been the fastest growing segment of new business owners. We also have the lowest rates of access to capital and often feel isolated.

Earlier this year I was asked for my top 10 things every woman entrepreneur needs to know. Over the next 10 days on the podcast, each day I will share 1 tip and how you can feel less isolated, more informed and more successful. Feel free to share your own tips too! Here’s to your success!

Do you have to be in Silicon Valley to succeed as a tech entrepreneur? How can women and diverse aspiring tech startup founders combat pattern recognition--white men investors investing in companies led by people who look like them--other white men?

Nora Poggi is the co-producer and director of the upcoming documentary, She Started It, which follows the lives of 5 women as they build their own tech startups. Nora, now an entrepreneur herself, gives us insight on:

• the importance of creating images of new role models, not just for other women, but for men--especially investors--too

• the interplay of sex and race on women in tech

• her thoughts on the reasons why we don't see more women tech startup founders

• lessons from watching the journeys of the film's subjects, even if you don't want to launch a tech startup

• and so much more

Earlier this year I was asked for my top 10 things every woman entrepreneur needs to know. Over the next 10 days on the podcast, each day I will share 1 tip and how you can implement it. Feel free to share your own tips too! Here's to your success! #weallwin

Earlier this year I was asked for my top 10 things every woman entrepreneur needs to know. Over the next 10 days on the podcast, each day I will share 1 tip and how you can implement it. Feel free to share your own tips too! Here's to your success! #weallwin

Got Confidence? Whether you do or whether you don't, you won't want to miss this conversation with Confidence Factor for Women in Business and TEDx Talks Speaker, Carol Sankar.

Carol Sankar is my secret weapon. As a business strategist, best-selling author, international speaker with a successful real estate portfolio, Carol has seen first-hand how women self-sabotage our own success. In her typical no holds barred fashion, Carol tells us:

• why it's important for women to have confidence in business

• how women are self-sabotaging in business

• how we can rethink mentorship

• where women are confident as juxtaposed to where we ALL have confidence issues

• steps that even confident women can take to move to their next levels

• where she herself is struggling to go to her own next level

• why she doesn't believe that we are the sum total of our 5 closest friends

• and so much more

In this short solo episode Michelle shares how we can effectively network at conferences and live events. She also provides the traits and characteristics of information collectors versus information gatherers. Which are you? Tune in!

Admittedly not the most outgoing guy, Zvi Band, founder of customer [contact] relationship management software company, Contactually, shares his greatest tips for building relationships and THE CRITICAL thing that most people don't think of when starting their businesses and careers.

Zvi and I, both zealots about developing great relationships, discuss relationships, building community and entrepreneurship, including:

• his 'scariest' moment as a startup founder

• the benefit of having a strong foundation of people in your network before making a leap

• the importance of passion in becoming an entrepreneur

• the importance of networking and making connections

• how to 'win' at a networking event

• tips for people who don't live in 'urban' or hub areas that  have a lot of events

• the importance of managing connections

• why he hopes his wife doesn't listen to this episode!

• and so much more

College buddies, co-workers and now business partners, Licensed Clinical Social Workers and founders of Skylight Leadership, Rhonda Gipson-Willis and Jessica D. Johnson talk about the blessing and curse of going into business with a friend. This may have turned into a counseling session, as they do share the truth about conflicts, habits that drive one another crazy, and where their husbands fit in all of this!

Rhonda and Jessica are refreshingly candid about the highs and lows of going into business with a friend, including:

• what to watch out for when deciding to be business partners with a friend

• the outcome of NOT stepping outside of their comfort zone with their first business

• how they transitioned from co-workers to business partners

• how they settle disagreements in their business and protect each of their interests if things go badly

• their strategies for landing new clients when they were unknown in their industry

• tips for determining whether you should partner with your bestie or any other friend

• transitioning from side hustling for 'Coach purses and vacations' to full-time business 'that pays the light bill'

• and so much more

If you are an ambitious person you're always going to have lots of opportunity and it's so easy to say yes to everything. And if you say yes to most things the best you will be is good at those things, but if you want to truly do something monumental, something great then you need to hone your talents and energy into one thing."

Paul and I have an honest conversation about love and business relationships, including Paul's take on:

• the best lessons he's learned from spending time with not 1, not 2, but 3 different billionaires

• his biggest struggle in business and public life

• how to balance personal and business relationships

• his best advice for multi-passionate, 'multi-preneurs'

• the best way to expand our networks

• his biggest pain from watching his grandfather's life

• his response to listener question on business partnership and love from @WriterChanelle

• and so much more

"If a potential buyer says that something is too expensive, it's generally because I didn't help them see the value in the offer." It's just that type of clear-headed straight talk that has made Donald C. Kelly not only a successful salesperson in his own right, but an amazing instructor and teacher of sales.

Donald walks us through the processes for completing a sale, including overcoming our own emotional or psychological barriers for making a sale.

Just heard @DonaldCKelly on the @herpowerhustle #podcast. My biggest takeaway was...

Click above to tweet at us and share your greatest takeaway from this interview

Donald shares the steps involved with a successful sale including:

• breaking down barriers and connecting
• discovering and understanding the prospective client's pain
• positioning you product to address the pain
• ensure that you're talking with decision-makers
• overcoming fearing The ASK and talking about money
• creating Customer Evangelists
• and so much more

 "Anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great!" - Ratatouille

 Tune in to this quick BONUS episode with the first corporate Evangelist, Guy Kawasaki 

Tune in by clicking above

Resources from our conversation:

Donald's website The Sales Evangelist

Check out the private Facebook community of Sales Evangelizers

Like the Facebook Page too!

Each week we highlight a woman-owned business or event, like yours, in YOUR own words-FOR FREE. If you would like to be featured in an upcoming episode and here on our website email [email protected] or fill in the contact form below for details.

This week we're featuring Karla Campos, creator of Florida Social Con, THE South Florida Social Media event, happening 7/18/2015 in Miami! Join us!

Register for the Conference HERE & I have information for you to attend for free, shoot me an email [email protected] for details!

Follow #FLSocialCon on social media:

Twitter: @FLSocialCon Instagram: @FLSocialCon

Below you can check out video of my interview with Karla about #FLSocialCon and my podcasting and platform building session!

The Her Power Hustle Community of Sister Power Hustlers is here to help you along your entrepreneurial journey. Join our Exclusive Facebook group or email us at [email protected] with your questions and comments.

Michelle Y. Talbert is an author, recovering attorney and the curator of the Her Power Hustle Community. She’s passionate about networking and relationships and writes on business and entrepreneurship topics for a number of sites, including Black Enterprise and Killer Startups. She supports women as they build relationships and networks that take their careers and businesses beyond the next level, with her Her Power Platform™ Program. This program provides women with the tools to Create Connections that Profit™.   Fill out the form below for more information on having your business featured for FREE on an upcoming episode of the Her Power Hustle Podcast

Suzanne is an expert online marketing coach. She shares in-depth, actionable items that you can implement in your business today to yield positive results.

Suzanne Tregenza Moore has an MBA in Entrepreneurship which she puts to use not only in her own business, but to help other business owners capitalize on the online tools at our disposal to succeed in business.

Just heard @ImplementitSuz on the @herpowerhustle #podcast. My biggest takeaway was...

Click above to tweet at us and share your greatest takeaway from this interview

Suzanne gives step-by-step actions you can take TODAY to:

• optimize your time on social media
• create newsletters that add value and increase your bottom line
• and so much more

Check out my interview on Suzanne's podcast, Advancing Entrepreneur--I may have cried, find out why!

Tune in by clicking above

Resources from our conversation:

SuzanneTMoore.com

AdvancingEntrepreneur.com

Twitter: @ImplementItSuz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheImplementationStation

LinkedIn: Suzanne Tregenza Moore

Click below for my Black Enterprise article on how to use Periscope in your business!

Each week we highlight a woman-owned business or event, like yours, in YOUR own words-FOR FREE. If you would like to be featured in an upcoming episode and here on our website email [email protected] or fill in the contact form below for details.

This week we're featuring Karla Campos, creator of Florida Social Con, THE South Florida Social Media event, happening 7/18/2015 in Miami! Join us!

Register for the Conference HERE & I have information for you to attend for free, shoot me an email [email protected] for details!

Follow #FLSocialCon on social media:

Twitter: @FLSocialCon Instagram: @FLSocialCon

Below you can check out video of my interview with Karla about #FLSocialCon and my podcasting and platform building session!

The Her Power Hustle Community of Sister Power Hustlers is here to help you along your entrepreneurial journey. Join our Exclusive Facebook group or email us at [email protected] with your questions and comments.

Michelle Y. Talbert is an author, recovering attorney and the curator of the Her Power Hustle Community. She’s passionate about networking and relationships and writes on business and entrepreneurship topics for a number of sites, including Black Enterprise and Killer Startups. She supports women as they build relationships and networks that take their careers and businesses beyond the next level, with her Her Power Platform™ Program. This program provides women with the tools to Create Connections that Profit™.   Fill out the form below for more information on having your business featured for FREE on an upcoming episode of the Her Power Hustle Podcast

Parviz Parvizi and I take a 360 degree look at being an entrepreneur, from consultant to lawyer to startup founder and customer service front man.

This episode is all about building upon each of our experiences and using them to instruct us on how to be successful as we move forward in the pursuit of our goals. Aside from both being lawyers and startup founders, most importantly, Parviz and I are Cornell University alum! And although we didn't know each other then (even though we were there at the same time) this episode speaks directly to the power of networks and connections.

Just heard @Clammr co-founder on the @herpowerhustle #podcast. My biggest takeaway was...

Click above to tweet at us and share your greatest takeaway from this interview

Parviz and I talk:

• transitioning into full-time entrepreneurship
• using our 'jobs' as experiences to foster our dreams
• using audio to market business
• the fundamentals of launching and sustaining a startup
• and so much more

Michael Simmons knows the value of relationships and connections. Check out my interview with him.

Tune in by clicking above

Resources from our conversation:

Connect with Parviz and learn more about Clammr at its website

 Check out Clammr's Tutorials and Workshops on YouTube

How are you feeling about your 'JOB?' - Check out Lisa Nichols

click picture below to watch video @HerPowerHustle on Instagram

Check out this great episode of #MentorMonday with guest, Power Connector, Judy Robinett

Click the picture below for the Spreecast Replay

Each week we highlight a woman-owned business, like yours, in YOUR own words-FOR FREE. If you would like to be featured in an upcoming episode and here on our website email [email protected] or fill in the contact form below for details.

This week we're featuring Elsie Escobar, Holistic Digital Media Strategist + Dynamic Living Specialist of J & E Media Consulting

Visit Elsie's website http://jemediaconsulting.com/

Connect with her on social media: Twitter: @YoGeek Clammr: @YoGeek Instagram: @YoGeek

Tune in as Elsie shares in this interview with Parviz how she uses Clammr for 'mini' podcasting HERE 

The Her Power Hustle Community of Sister Power Hustlers is here to help you along your entrepreneurial journey. Join our Exclusive Facebook group or email us at [email protected] with your questions and comments.

  Michelle Y. Talbert is an author, recovering attorney and the curator of the Her Power Hustle Community. She’s passionate about networking and relationships and writes on business and entrepreneurship topics for a number of sites, including Black Enterprise and Killer Startups. She supports women as they build relationships and networks that take their careers and businesses beyond the next level, with her Her Power Platform™ Program. This program provides women with the tools to Create Connections that Profit™.   Fill out the form below for more information on having your business featured for FREE on an upcoming episode of the Her Power Hustle Podcast