Savor the Success - Business Network for women entrepreneurs

Recently, I’ve chatted with a few friends and associates that visited our site to check out “what is Savor exactly” and “really” whether or not our support system and resources are truly unique from other “networking sites” and groups they’ve joined.

Initially the comment I always hear is “Wow, Savor seems great, but I just don’t have time to go through the cafes and connections, all the time. I am too busy, working on my business night and day.”

You Premium Members, like myself probably are thinking the same thing – isn’t working on your business a full time job all the time – and working smarter better than just working harder?

I always laugh to myself, and ask these future mogulettes, ‘so how do you spend your time trying to find resources and network for your business?’   

Many of these same women respond to me by going through a long to-do list of their admin duties and talk about all the countless places they visit to network or attend tradeshows  using planes, trains or automobiles, and of course their money.

Recently at my NJ Chapter launch in June, I was so thrilled to have over 60-70 women entrepreneurs come out to network over sangrias and cupcakes as well as find out more about Savor.

Many of those women commented it was a fun event and well-worth their time since it was a great opportunity to exchange cards and meet other entrepreneurs.

The fury of polished business cards, laminated brochures, pamphlets and 2-10 minute sales pitches (FYI, way too long; and I highly recommend Savor Booty Camps) I have to tell you was intense!

My response to those women as follow up was “Soooo…how many connections did you make and what did you do with them?”

Many of them may have been thrilled to have new emails to add to their mailing list or just know one more person, heard about their company,service or brand.

I think that’s great, too and maybe, just maybe, you’ll get a sale or lead that can get you one step closer to your goal.

However, as the weeks and months go by, and you are sitting in your office with all those cards and working on your latest email blast -- who is your sounding board? How are you defining your success?

Answers to those questions that we often ask ourselves sitting in the office counting the month’s expenditures, are also asked and answered, by other women that regularly chat in our Savor cafes.

When I started my own business Donnella’s Closet (www.dcsbag.com) – it wasn’t easy.  Selling handbags sounds like a fun business to build and grow, but what many people don’t realize is it’s also costly. 

By participating in Savor, I was able to express that to other premium members that were also building their empires, but instead of a pity party, I found women that were sharing their successes and challenges, openly.

As a business owner, sometimes it’s hard talking to your friends and close confidants that work corporate jobs, with their company paid insurance, about your passion, frustrations and sacrifices.

Many think it’s cool to have your own business, and their well-meaning advice sometimes can give you insight but many times can be unrealistic or biased to your situation. 

So again, I turn to the Savor cafes to hear about what other members are working on and HOW they are doing including mentally and emotionally.

I’ve also found that keeping myself motivated also means motivating others that may have a tough time.

From a business perspective, spending time in cafes, has allowed me to find valid leads in half the time as well as solid advice from legal to marketing to PR – which is invaluable, as we all know, to the busy entrepreneur.

Spending time on Savor chats and cafes has even cut down on my networking time, money and gas attending other events around NJ.

Instead of driving, I can participate in a Savor Virtual Happy Hour to chat with other female entrepreneurs across the country!

So not to make this too lengthy, but visiting the Savor site is a great way to grow your business,networking, stay motivated and keep your sanity above all.

I hope you find this helpful to read and hope to “Savor connect” with you soon.

Donnie