Like many of you, each morning when I wake I turn on the coffeemaker (nothing happens without caffeine) and radio to listen and the traffic reports and business news.  To my fellow business owner, does it seem that most mornings, the travel...

In today's society, especially in the DC area, being frenzied and overbooked is almost a badge of honor. But it comes at a price that we often don't realize until much later. Running at full tilt all the time rarely produces sound strategic...

I was talking to a client the other day, a woman who owns a boutique consulting firm, and she was telling me about a difficult situation with one of her employees. Despite counseling, the employee hasn't fixed some problem behaviors, and isn't...

Have you stopped and thought about your network of business friends and contacts lately? I mean really thought about how they are helping you learn, grow and find new business? I had the opportunity to stop and think deeply the other day about...

How much of your marketing and sales strategy relies on getting client testimonials and referrals? Does the thought of asking a happy customer to refer a friend make you uncomfortable? It shouldn’t. Let me share you a story of why it’s worth...

When applying for a line of credit or a loan with a bank, your personal credit history counts a great deal in the decision to grant you credit or not. This is not the only factor but it a very important factor.  Underwriters look at your...

We challenge each of you to make a gift of $100 to the NAWBO PAC , Margaret Chase Smith Giving Circle, by April 1 to help our NAWBO NOVA chapter be recognized as one with the greatest percentage of its membership contributing.  ...

NAWBO NOVA is pleased to introduce one of the most unusual member benefits in the country – AwardAssist SM . Everyone knows that awards can drive business to your door, boost employee morale, and generate great press – but the effort...

Last week we held our bi-monthly Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence series, and the topic was finding capital for your business. As business owners, this is an extremely important topic—whether we just starting out or are poised for growth,...

John F. Kennedy once said, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future� Just as change then is a law of life, so it is with business. I have heard recently a business...

Online social networking is completely changing the way business can be done. Not only in the perceived ‘trendier’ markets geared towards younger people and teenagers, but even in the more traditional, conservative markets. Wikipedia has a...

A recent edition of SmartCEO featured the 25 dynamic women business owners who received the first Annual BRAVO! Business Achievement Awards.  These women encompass a key component of success: a consummate entrepreneurial spirit!   Each...

I recently attended a strategic planning session for NAWBO National, and the discussions revolved around where the national organization is going and how it can best serve its customers, defined as several groups, with “chapters� being one,...

At our monthly speaker series this past Wednesday, the speaker—Karen Zuckerman of design agency HZDG—shared a story of an incredible risk the company took, and the payoff. Without going into too much detail, they made the decision to...

When the local high school band musicians ring my front doorbell, I buy whatever they’re selling. I want to be a good community member and pitch in.  But increasingly, I am asked to donate at places where I don’t know anyone or the...

Everywhere you look these days you see something about developing your brand. Many of my fellow design agencies specialize in branding and brand management. As a business owner, you know you need to pay attention to your brand. You know it’s...

Women business owners very often spend most of their productive time in growing and nurturing their business at the expense of their personal financial well being.  It is important that these intelligent and competent business owners also...