50 Billion Dollar Boss : African American Women Sharing Stories of Success in Entrepreneurship and Leadership

This book looks at several successful African American women and chronicles their success, obstacles, challenges, and lessons learned. The authors have first person access to each of these women and break down their stories to help other aspiring entrepreneurs achieve their dreams of starting or owning their own business. Cover 1 Half-Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Table of Contents 6 Preface: Our Personal Journeys to Entrepreneurship and the Book 10 Acknowledgments 20 Introduction: A New Boss in Town 24 Chapter 1 The Growing Impact of African American Women-Owned Businesses 26 Chapter 2 You Want to Do What ? Turning Your Idea into Your Business 34 Chapter 3 I Think I Love You: Branding Your Passion and Understanding Your Unique Value Proposition 44 Chapter 4 Who Do I Run to? Finding a Mentor and Building Mentor Relationships 56 Chapter 5 Adding Value: Building Mutually Beneficial Strategic Partnerships 65 Chapter 6 Your Network Is Your Net Worth: Building Your Relationship Currency 73 Chapter 7 Where Is the Money? Solutions to Fund Your Business and Business Development 84 Chapter 8 Making You a Priority: Leveraging Internal Strengths 97 Chapter 9 Keeping It Moving: Developing a Resilient Mind-Set 107 Chapter 10 Faster, Smarter, Harder: Taking Your Business to the Next Level 119 Chapter 11 Coding for the Future: New Frontiers for African American Women in Technology 132 Chapter 12 Why Should Guys Have All the Fun? Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Nontraditional Industries 141 Chapter 13 Intrapreneurship: Adding Entrepreneurial Value and Innovation within a Corporation 150 Chapter 14 Make Being a Woman-Owned Business Work for You: Resources on Programs, Agencies, and Organizations That Support Women-Owned Businesses 157 Conclusion 164 References 170 About the Authors 174 Index 176