As a business coach, I spend my time providing guidance, encouragement and inspiration to my clients. I am careful to let them know that my job is NOT to tell them what to do -- only they can make that decision -- BUT to ask them the difficult questions that only they have the answers for. Then, and most importantly, I hold them accountable for their actions, their decisions and for moving forward.

Your business is intangible ---you are not. Your business can be immortal ---you are not.

Recently I have come to the conclusion that many women entrepreneurs are the product of a very special gift -- the gift of a mother's love.

Much has been written about the importance of a father's influence in their daughter's life and the development of her self confidence. There is no question that a loving, supportive father has a great deal of influence over the potential success of his daughter. But, a father's love seems to create the foundation for a woman entrepreneur's potential where a monther's love provides the wings.

In my own experience, my father was my example of an entrepreneur. I observed how an entrepreneur performed, thought, networked, sold, and succeeded in business. I was motivated by my father's love of life, business and people. And, most especially, inspired by how he dreamed big and his dreams were realized. This was my foundation for becoming an entrepreneur.

However, as I get older and understand more about myself and my drive to not just be successful but have an impact on the world, I see that my mother's unconditional love and nurturing are really what gave me wings to fly.

My mother was always there to hold me, to talk to me, to share my fears and my dreams. I always knew she would be there -- waiting, watching and ready to comfort me if things didn't work out as I wanted. If I took a risk I knew I had a safety net --- MOM.

Of course, during the years I built my businesses and my dreams of entrepreneurship, I believed my strength came from the example of my Dad and my brother who also was an entrepreneur. But models and mentors can only be valuable if one has the core belief that anything is possible.

Anything is possible was my Mom's special gift to me...wings to fly. And although she is no longer with me today, I hear her voice and feel her love reminding me she is there with a hug when I need it.