When it comes to starting and growing a business for women entrepreneurs the risk may feel like - lions and tigers and bears, OH MY! 

This is a natural reaction to the fear of the unknown. Women are told more often than men that they can't succeed...that there are obstacles beyond their control in business and although the obstacles are not quite as ominous as real lions and tigers and bears they will eat you up and spit you out! Of course, the biggest fear most entrepreneurs have is failure...and the statistics show that women in business have a better success rate then men...so there lions and tigers and bears!!

In my experience as a serial entrepreneur and a business coach, the major obstacle facing women is often other women! I call it - jealousy, envy and resentment, OH MY!

Yes, women know how to compete which makes them strong rivals, but too often they have been brought up without experiencing teamwork or teamplay. Learning how to support others without losing your own strength is critical to business.

This is a very controversial subject as our culture of gender equity and fairness wants us to believe -- no insists that we believe -- that women support each other unconditionally.

Speaking frankly, over my decades of business experience, I have received hundreds of referrals from men, but I can count on two hands the number of referrals I have received from women. As a consultant, when I stress the importance of getting clients' customers to bring their women friends to events and spread the word I am often laughed at for assuming that women will go out of their way to help each other.

There is no question that women climbing the corporate ladder continue to fight each other for their rung on the ladder. Dare I say that 30 years ago the lack of women in the corporate world allowed each to stand out and therefore more likely be mentored by one of the guys to move ahead. The times of changed. Women should be able to depend, yes unconditionally rely, on the women who move up to reach down and pull the next one up as well.

But this blog is not really about women in business in the corporate world. This is about women entrepreneurs not supporting each other to succeed.

Ask yourself:

Why are women jealous of each other's success? Why are women envious of other women? Why do women resent each other ever?

A healthy woman has self confidence and a belief in her ability to do whatever she wants to do. She doesn't spend time being jealous, envious or resenting anything or anybody. She is too busy moving forward - fitting out rather than fitting in.

Perhaps, that is what the problem with women supporting each other is all about. The idea -- society's idea, the media's idea, somebody's idea -- of what a woman should be, or what a woman should want, or what a woman can be. If she thinks she can be anything, even President, we say we support her, but we undermined her every chance we get.

Women entrepreneurs, like male entrepreneurs, naturally fear the unknown that transpires in the day to day operations of every business. But isn't it time that women take off the gloves in sabotaging other women.

Repeat after me:

"I will not say anything negative about another woman (OUTLOUD)!"

"I will support women in business every chance I get!"

"I will support stay-at-home moms with the same enthusiasm as I support working moms!"

"I wil l turn my green eyes blue and rid myself of the unhealthy emotions of jealousy, envy and resentment!"

And, finally, "I will approach my fears with courage and know that I am not alone....as I have every woman on the planet supporting me and my challenge!"

Go out and make it a great day for women everywhere.