Celebrating Women in Business

" Women's history month and this morning we're recognizing the contributions of the female business owner according to center for women's business research. Indian US more than ten million firms are owned by women. And last year they generating nearly two trillion dollars in sales. Now despite its success women still face there are challenges and their challenges in this business world. When I talk about the good and the bad joining me right now is -- she's founder and president of women of the -- seller list which is based on her book women on the vine. And Nell Merlino is the co founder and CEO of count me in for women's economic independence. And the founder and president of strategy communication action. And also just wrote a book which I want to talk about in just a second warning I think if Hillary -- and morning I ever let me first start with you you wrote a book women of divine. You were inspired by the women who you interviewed in the process and you went out and you start your own business tells about the journey. Well I."

" I was actually working in corporate America here in Manhattan I still live in New York. And when I decided to make big career change and took a huge leap of faith. Went back to writing and I was so me is by all of these incredible women that were behind the scenes that weren't really known about in the world. And I want people to get to meet them. And hear their stories and such and male dominated field like the wine industry. So that was really what inspired me to write the book. And then the book got published and that's when I took the full leap of faith. Wiley and sons publish the book and winds expected to pick the book is when investments for the year for 2007. And when I started on the boat tour. And I was leaning just the most incredible women that was so inspired by my journey. That they want and more and that's when -- women in the -- sellers and started to produce wine. With all women winemakers sewing now have six -- makers from Napa Sonoma and Kosovo was. That create special blend wines and I mean --"

" The real good good how was I drinking right. I'm now you know we we started out we talked about the ten million businesses that are owned by women you went into the whitehouse twice recently yes. Yeah I I -- I know you you're telling them -- help these women business owners what has it been like what have you been able to save them only making progress."

" I think we're making great progress they formed a White House council on women and girls this week. And one of the things that they want to do is help women grow businesses because they know. And it like Deborah is women are creating jobs for other women and men. And what we need right now is obviously more jobs and the White House is fully behind helping us do that to I was very very pleased because. Day day we I told them that I make mine a million dollar business race devers going to join the race with -- after I heard her story. Because she's got a great chance of getting two million dollars this year we already have 2000 women in the make mine a million dollar business race. -- we're all working together people because you we get with me about three months yet I've got a lot of things together yet explain to people what that is why it's so vital to helping women in her bid. What's what what the race is it's a yearlong business growth marathon you get to do with other women who were trying to do the same thing because a lot of times it's hard to find the information or you need. You need -- courage and an an an an and the confidence that you get from being with other women so that all happens it happens online -- having in person events. At at American Express at at other companies. Where we are really helping women. Figure out their finances -- they do their marketing and figuring out. How you grow a business in this economy and we are seeing great success already OK I want it before we will we wrap this up here we give people some tips and advice. What have you learned so far -- what could buy -- give to other women out there -- the thinking about it all right now facing some there was some really challenging times because of the recession. I think there is the biggest thing that I."

" is you have to be confident in what you can mean have to believing self. -- doing something like like they're which has never been done before looking earnings winner winemakers under one brand -- women of the -- sellers. And you really me to keep the faith believing self strategists -- by very intelligent people that you could learn from and can support you. And I think also for women to really support each other."

" Yet I mean how how women businesses faring right now because some of the statistics say that they have on average they have to go to a bank currently under four times as opposed will mail business to prove themselves are. You know the thick of it looked at some of them haven't had a tough time -- tell them I I think."

" Get it to places to go where we're seeing women getting financing it's from community banks and credit unions. So while and there are also is a new program that I think us secretary Geithner and asked the other day with -- going to be more money. Are coming through the SBA to guarantee loans -- endeavors recently got an SBA loans applying for another one. So so those places seem to be I do think often women do up to go back a couple of times. One of the things we do in the race -- you really tighten up your presentation. And your paperwork when you go to get financing so that it it happens faster. We gotta be clear about what we're going for the money for that's one of the things we talked about in in all the races the web and -- stuff that we do get real clarity about why you want the money. And really be able to demonstrate that your going to use it fast and use it and also emphasized to going to be creating jobs because everybody wants you to be doing that."

" Okay Deborah we're gonna get your point. Well you can get your mind it's on the Internet at women of the buying dot com you can order the one plus were distributed to new York New Jersey Pennsylvania. Connecticut and California great and."

" And now stepping out of line lessons for women who won in their way in life and love. And at work a new book just came out last week and now I love seeing now and and he trail -- and and is worth."