The world is filled with people who have great ideas for a business. Dreamers who stand on the sidelines wishing for the right moment to present itself so that a business is born and they can leave their corporate jobs behind and sail away on easy street.

Both men and women fit the scenario above of wishing for the entrepreneurial moment to present itself. The fact is in order to be an entrepreneur you must behave like one!

Men in our society have been given a pass for acting daring, crazy and revolutionary even when they have family responsibilities that might restrain them from taking risks. Women tend to be the risk adverse.

Is this nature or nurture? Is it inborn in females to want to carefully assess all the pros and cons before taking action and even then delay a decision? Do societal values teach women to act responsibly while allowing men to take chances?

When it comes to starting a business the first thing women must do is:

(1) Overcome Fear of Failure- it is cliche to say but,you can't fail if you don't try!

Of course, women need to assess the pros and cons and create a business plan before starting a new business. But unless we are willing to fail we will never succeed.

(2) Believe in the Power of One - women must believe that they can do it on their own! I'm well aware that once the business is up and running a woman will use her powers of cooperation, collegiality and teamwork to prosper, but in the beginning she must believe that she has what it takes to win. She must be willing to go it alone as entrepreneurship is particularly isolating for women.

(3) Go Where Others Fear To Tread - women must take action on their ideas and be the daring doers they are meant to be.

When I was contemplating my own business I was continually asked, "If you don't do it who will?" That was the question that got me off my as_ and into entrepreneurship over and over again.

Women entrepreneurs are the engine behind the new economy of small business in America. So, I ask you all, "If you don't do it - who will?"

Email me if you need a friend vicki@vickidonlan.com