Following is the recap for the #smbiz Twitter chat on women in business. Guest experts for this social media chat were @avasiare @connectingwomen and @drfernkazlow.
@avasiare Q1: Current state of the recession and securing financing for growth, belts are tight right now! #smbiz
@MarshaHudnall Q1: I’m not sure I face any special challenges b/c I’m a woman. Our clients are all women so that may be why #smbiz
@connectingwomen q. 1 women biz owners face recession, securing funds, #smbiz
@avasiare @smbiz Q1: Current state of the recession and securing financing for growth, belts are tight right now! #smbiz
@DrFernKazlow Q1 Current state of recession makes all the issues women face magnified. #smbiz
@stephaniethum Q1 Work-life balance seems like the never-ending challenge. 
#smbiz
@MarshaHudnall Q1: Work-life balance is always a big issue for women. Recession is affecting men, too. #smbiz
@JoGolden Q1in the smbiz and microbiz space many new shingles going up and market gets more crowded #smbiz
@ddsawgrassfl Q1: I think woman may have an advantage as business owners and the support networks that are available #smbiz
@SternalPR Q1 I wonder if more stress on women because more men hav been left unemployed & women feel more of the burden on household #smbiz
@connectingwomen @SternalPR it is a variety of factors, imo: finances, competition, global, etc. #smbiz
@DrFernKazlow Q1 Women hit harder - more to juggle, often first let go, have to prove selves >, guilt issues, to name a few #smbiz
@smbiz Q2 Let’s talk financing then. Is it harder for a woman-owned small business to secure financing? How do u overcome? #smbiz
@avasiare @smbiz Q2: believe it is equally difficult to obtain financing in today’s climate. SBA and private investors are helpful. #smbiz
@merylevans Q2 Can’t say if harder — but have biz plan and other biz documents, explore non-bank-related options (many out there) … #smbiz
@ddsawgrassfl @MarshaHudnall I think w/ new approaches & technologies women groups are providing professional resources to help grow biz for women #smbiz
@DrFernKazlow Q2 Changing as we speak - resources are available 4 women, keeping credit good critical #smbiz
@SternalPR @connectingwomen @avasiare is it harder to get financing even with special programs 4 women in biz? (or these programs nonexistent?) #smbiz
@merylevans Q2 Put together business binder with biz plan, marketing strategy, financials current and projected, current customers, mgmt bios. #smbiz
@merylevans @SternalPR Private lenders can be better and faster (and helpful to services biz w/out assets), bartering services, family loans. #smbiz
@connectingwomen @SternalPR my advice is to research and network to know what kinds of prgms are out there. #smbiz
@merylevans Q2 Can try SBA loans (but dropping), community investment (a local store has multiple owners from community). #smbiz
@DrFernKazlow Q2 Credit is tight. Financing today is all about your CR # and presentation of your business plan and finances. #smbiz
@smbiz Q3 How can women-owned businesses take advantage of the economic stimulus packages? #smbiz
@MarshaHudnall @smbiz Q3: i would imagine by being relevant. if we’ve got a business that qualifies. might be good idea for start-ups #smbiz
@stephaniethum Q3 I wonder if this depends on the type of business one runs. TMK, it doesn’t apply to mine (consulting and writing). #smbiz
@connectingwomen @smbiz Q3: Learn about the stimulus package. The more you know the better. Knowledge is power. #smbiz
@avasiare @smbiz Q3: The economic stimulus package have not been very beneficial to us, but it does not mean that programs aren’t available, #smbiz
@Renown A client of mine secured the first SBA-stimulus boosted loan in GA http://www.bizjournals.com/… #smbiz
@ddsawgrassfl Q3 It takes some work to learn what is available. Not all is financing, biz coaching and dev available. Workforce resources.. #smbiz
@avasiare @SternalPR I believe it’s small business in general, there is big business bail out for sure. #smbiz
@smbiz Q4 How does the recession directly affect a woman-owned business compared to men? #smbiz
@connectingwomen Q4: I think in time of need/stress, women tend to connect and work together. #smbiz
@JoGolden Q4 If you start with women making cents on the dollar in comparison, cutbacks oten cut deeper #smbiz
@stephaniethum @SternalMrktg I agree with collaboration among women being the natural course of business in these times. #smbiz
@connectingwomen @SternalMrktg Q4: This is often times when creativity is greatly needed., time to think outside the box #smbiz
@avasiare @smbiz Q4: Things have been difficult, but we have flourished during this recession, beauty is timeless, maybe recession proof? #smbiz
@Renown Q4 I believe women entrepreneurs turn to community as well, combining resources, ideas. A common ground enables that. #smbiz
@merylevans Q4 I believe recession affects people different regardless of background and gender. Can have 2 identical biz w/ one more successful #smbiz
@smbiz Q5 What opportunities have opened up for women-owned business as a result of the recession? #smbiz
@connectingwomen Q5: The need to think outside the box has been opened for not only women-owned, but for men as well. #smbiz
@DrFernKazlow @connectingwomen Definitely - thinking outside the box will bring best results. #smbiz
@MandyLightfootM Q5 What opportunities have opened up for women-owned business as a result of the recession? #smbiz
@avasiare @smbiz Q5: W/many out of work, it may be time to shake up the status quo and start soul searching, what is your passion? #smbiz
@Renown @connectingwomen Great point-originality and creativity has blossomed as resources are fewer but ingenuity is sparked! #smbiz
@stephaniethum Q5 Awareness of the entrepreneurial spirit in tough times has opened up opptys & excitement 4 women 2 collaborate now. JMO. #smbiz
@MarshaHudnall @smbiz Q5 recession-generated opportunity for women: building community among staff and clients through support/caring. will pay off #smbiz
@stephaniethum Q5 The entrepreneurial spirit automatically brings out our ability to look for opptys. In tough times we become more innovative. JMO. #smbiz
@smbiz Q6 Do the last two questions change for minority women as far as challenges/opportunities go? #smbiz
@DrFernKazlow @SternalPR Q6 Recession brought att 2 areas women excel in - out of box biz, creativity, innovation, biz help others handle stress #smbiz
@avasiare @smbiz Q6: Minority women may face more of a challenge in their own mind but there are many resources available to minority women. #smbiz
@Renown Q6 @avasiare Agree-no explicit challenge, maybe more resources available than realized. Check w/ SBA and local university biz centers #smbiz
@smbiz Q7 How can women business leaders network effectively to overcome the boys club mentality? #smbiz
@merylevans Q7 Social networking makes this possible even with names/photos showing gender. Less of a barrier than face-to-face. #smbiz
@connectingwomen @smbiz Q7: Sad that this is a problem still. Often times confidence can be mistaken for cockiness..happened to co-worker #smbiz
@avasiare @smbiz Q7 Relationship marketing is huge now, men may be looking to women for advice soon! We are good at it! #smbiz
@connectingwomen @smbiz Q7: Mentor more qualified female employees; help make work policies #smbiz
@SternalPR Q7 I’d also like to point out http://womenexecutiveleadership.org dedicated to getting more women in boardroom. #smbiz
@merylevans @connectingwomen Q7 That’s why I think social networking helps — it puts our words on even ground instead of come across differently #smbiz
@SternalPR Q7 Women can take leadership role in networking via social media since “boys club” still exists on golf course only? #smbiz
@DrFernKazlow @SternalPR Q7 SM great place for women to lead - don’t have to deal with “No women allowed” rules at clubs #smbiz
@smbiz Q8 What are some good online/offline mentoring programs available to help women excel in business? #smbiz
@merylevans @smbiz Q8 SCORE.org is a great resource and has volunteers ready to help. #smbiz
@avasiare @smbiz Q8: SBA.gov, wbenc.org and get involved in the local chamber of commerce. #smbiz
@ddsawgrassfl Q8 National Association of Women Business Owners #smbiz
@connectingwomen Recommended Resources: some of my favs: http://bit.ly/5kjDa #smbiz
@ddsawgrassfl Q* Girls Going Places is a great program for young entrepreneurs #smbiz http://bit.ly/1pudHF
@stephaniethum Q8 I think the best mentors are those we find outside of formalized programs. Men and women. #smbiz
@SternalPR @avasiare @connectingwomen Yes networking is ultra important but it’s also important to be efficient and set goals in networking #smbiz
@smbiz Q9 Some media have reported companies make more money with women at the top. Why is this? #smbiz
@connectingwomen RT @smbiz: Q9 Some media have reported companies make more money with women at the top. Why is this? #smbiz
@connectingwomen @smbiz Q9: is is possible women are more conservative when it comes to spending? Have other creative outlets? #smbiz
@avasiare @smbiz Q9 As mentioned before, a woman’s forte is often relationships. Perfect time for this with the rise of SM. #smbiz
@DrFernKazlow @SternalPR @stephaniethum Agree networking strategy essential. Know why ur there, who ur talking 2, what value U add #smbiz
@DesireeScales Q9: I think the fact that women are better multi-taskers can be a huge difference. We also know when to focus like a laser. #smbiz
@DrFernKazlow @connectingwomen @Avasiare Yes - women’s strength is relationship - wh/ is critical 4 success- esp in recession! #smbiz
@smbiz Q10 With rise of mommy bloggers how much has the Internet opened doors for moms to enter the business world? #smbiz
@connectingwomen Q10 the internet has welcome just about anything with passion to be a business due to the diverse needs and wants of the human race #smbiz
@stephaniethum Q10 I think “mommy bloggers” have opened up an entire new genre/niche business. #smbiz
@DesireeScales Q10: Women are starting their own businesses at a staggering rate, mostly online businesses or built around the web. #smbiz
@LatishaPeytonS Q10 With rise of mommy bloggers how much has the Internet opened doors for moms to enter the business world? #smbiz
@SternalPR @desireescales Do you think some media are picking on them as it relates to “paid-for” product reviews? #smbiz
@JoGolden @connectingwomen Q10 Interesting question–Mommy bloggers being heard and listening to each other matters for a future in biz #smbiz
@avasiare @smbiz Q10 Yes, but today It’s hard work to blog & build a following, there tons of bloggers, but the opportunities do exist. #smbiz
@DesireeScales @SternalPR Ahem, paid-for reviews have been going on much longer than most of us have been on Earth. There’s no story there. #smbiz
@connectingwomen @JoGolden It all comes down to basics: Word of Mouth. In this case, the Internet is a WIDE world of Words of Mouths. #smbiz
@DesireeScales Q10: Fact, most PR firms are contacting Mommy Bloggers instead of the journos to get products and services in the mainstream. #smbiz
@smbiz Q11 Is there a correlation in having more high-ranking female political leaders and more women-owned business? #smbiz
@SternalPR Q11 Hilary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Sotomayor, etc….more women in politics for sure #smbiz
@avasiare @smbiz Q11 Women are great mentors, when we believe in each other, amazing things can happen! #smbiz
@connectingwomen Q11, I am a poli sci and history major, women tend to unite when helping each other out…not necessarily for feministic reasons #smbiz
@DrFernKazlow @smbiz Q11 Think both r indicative of changing climate. Then > women in biz & in politics create > oppty 4 women… #smbiz
@DesireeScales Q11: So, knowing I would never become CEO of a major airline, I decided to start a company and make myself CEO! No glass ceiling! #smbiz
@connectingwomen Q12: follow these pple @kairarouda, @clarashih, @terrywildemann for some learning on business and networking #smbiz
@avasiare @smbiz Q12 SBA.gov, womenentrepreneur.com and lastly, never underestimate the power of networking! #smbiz
@DrFernKazlow RT @connectingwomen: Q12: Always tune in http://www.blogtalkradio.co… - we talk alot abt diff topics related to biz. #smbiz
@DesireeScales CEO of http://www.bellawebdesign.com specializing in web design, internet marketing and social media coaching. #smbiz
@avasiare @smbiz PRO Skincare & Cosmetics for HD, commercial & production. Perfect for the discerning women who desires all day wear every day! #smbiz
