Karen Lee has advice for start-up female entrepreneurs.
My advice to start-up female entrepreneurs: You are not just a woman. You are an entrepreneur! That supersedes any other identity you have. The minute you put another identity above that, it becomes a limitation for yourself and in your own perception of your abilities. If this is what you want to do, think of yourself as an entrepreneur first and foremost, not as your gender or your nationality, nothing. Be brave, go out, make connections, talk to people.
One. Be confident, not confrontational in asking for what you deserve. Women entrepreneurs have unique and powerful perspectives to offer every industry and walking in that power means walking with confidence – not arrogance or fear.
Two. Be sure to ASK.
Three. Be willing to walk away from things that cease to align with your values and mission. One of the most challenging things to do is saying NO.
Four. There is no such thing as making a good deal with bad people.
Five. Compromises of character are not worth any cost.
Six. In general, be steadfast in your principles, and trust yourself. There are so many books on strategy, fundraising, product development etc. The most important, and in my opinion least emphasized, is preserving a positive, value-based sense of self.
