The disappointment of working long hours for someone and not being appreciated forced me to look beyond my situation. I was constantly drained and depressed.
1,000 Stories
More than 1,000 women entrepreneurs from around the world have told us about their personal business journeys. Here are their stories, in their own words. Tell us yours!
Jennifer Downing: Nourish
A stay-at-home-mom of four, feeding them well is a full-time job. Planning meals and cooking from scratch on a budget are reflective of my time in the food industry.
Heather Cox: Certify My Company, Inc.
I started my business out of the need to create a balance as a working woman, wife and mommy.
Elaine Cimino: Elaine Cimino Studios, LLC
My goal is to give teachers, homeschool parents and afterschool programs a platform to teach drawing to children.
Katie Niemeyer: Handana
Handana does more than protect my eyes: It has become a powerful reminder to cross my finish lines, to persevere.
Debra E Baretta: Mama Baretta
I come from a bread baking family and I began the business when my son was diagnosed with multiple food allergies.
Nisha Moodley: Fierce Fabulous and Free
After overcoming emotional eating and food addiction, I started a health coaching practice 5 years ago, helping women find freedom from emotional eating.
Arline Saiki: ONEdersave Products LLC
We started raising fish and accidentally found this product from Japan that purifies water using beneficial bacteria. We tried it, it was fantastic and switched to importing.
Andrea Dent: Rebma Elyk Natural Skincare
Over the years I have not been able to find any natural products that worked well for my skin. Realizing that others were experiencing the same problem, I decided to become an esthetician and natural skin care product developer.
Amanda Neville: Three Furies
I’m a new mom, so I’m watching [Marissa Mayer] to see how she deals with the commentary on her dual role and how she manages the expectations and actual work load with the needs of her family.
Jessica Procini: Your Path to Health
I struggled with my weight for over 10 years. When I discovered how weight loss can be simple and fun I knew more women needed to learn how.
Olivia Lizotte: Brix22
I was exhausted and tired of working in the legal field so wanted something more flexible. I sat down and made a list of the 5 most important things I wanted in life.
Erin Owen: EEO Balance Corporation
I originally started my business because I wanted to help busy professionals learn how to eat healthier & lead healthier, happier, more productive lives.
Barbara Singer: Full Metal Mamas Stand Up Comedy Show
I got through [3rd stage ovarian cancer] then adopted a baby… I had lost so much time to doing stand-up (comedy), that I decided to form my own group and include other moms who put stand-up on the back burner to raise kids.
Thea Myhrvold: IB Smart
After only a few months I have been featured in magazines like Cosmopolitan, which was a great honor. I am only 22, and for such a magazine to ask me for my advice was really fun!