[ ladies who launch ]

Finally... I've got some time to write about the Ladies Who Launch meeting I went to Tuesday night. I've been really busy with work the past couple days, and just too tired to do much blogging. However, I'm energized right now, ready to blog for a while, and then jump into work.

So. Ladies Who Launch. The meeting was Tuesday night, at this really cute boutique called Get Dressed! in Scottsdale. The deal with Ladies Who Launch is that it's a group for female entrepreneurs. Women who are starting a new business, or think they want to, but aren't sure where to start, where to go next; or women who have a small business and are looking to expand, but again, aren't sure how to do that. It's a support group, an ocean of ideas. I know that when describing it, it sounds cheesy, but words can't express the experience I had on Tuesday.

So you can sign up for a four-week "Incubator," which is four two-hour sessions. After that, you can become a member.

Anyway, Tuesday was the last day of the September Incubator. On the last day of the session, they invite new people to come. I found it through MeetUp, but a lot of people were friends of women who were in the Incubator, or had found it through the newspaper. First, the women who were graduating the program went around, and said what their business was, where it was when they started and where it is now. They also talked about the impact of the program on their lives in general. Everyone had such positive and uplifting comments. One women said she honestly felt like she could launch ANY business tomorrow, and be totally and completely successful, simply because of the program.

After a quick break for some snacks and chatting, the new people talked about why they were there and what they wanted to do. That was also incredibly inspiring. I know that I'm not alone in wanting to start a business and not knowing where to start, but sometimes it feels like I am alone in that, especially being in a place where I still don't really know anyone outside of work. Hearing all these women saying that they are in the same boat was so reassuring and so helpful. A lot of the women were creatives: photography, jewelry design, interior design and organizing, fashion. But also, a lot weren't: legal, a website to find "lost girlfriends," consulting, a business for dog sitters.

Remember how I said I needed someone or something to light a fire under my ass... well, consider it lit!

Literally, the second I got home from the meeting, I went online and signed up for the January Incubator. I'm a little bummed that it's not for three months, but hopefully, I'll be farther along with FiveGoodGoats in those three months!

I definitely think I met some potential friends. A few women have already emailed me saying we should get together & talk business and life. Another woman was also a photographer, and we're definitely going to try to get together soon

And, I already have two potential clients! I just need to work out my pricing, and I'll actually kinda be in business!!!!

So, moral of the post: if you're a woman, looking to start a business, check out Ladies who Launch & see if they have a group in your area!