WIN is a Pay It Forward Platform

SEATTLE – June 3, 2013

“Who are you as a leader?” When I ask this question of business women, most of them describe the way they lead: “I’m the one who shows the way/ takes the calculated risks/ makes the final call/ inspires others to work toward the vision/ get the deal done.” And so on. Sometimes they see themselves as “servants” – being in service to others in the organization so that they can perform to the best of their potential and participate in fulfilling the purpose of the company.

Often a leader sees herself as a teacher, coach or a mentor. These teacher-servant leaders have a bigger impact than they will ever know. When they deliver their wisdom with the humility and passion Continue reading WIN is a Pay It Forward Platform

Crowdfunding changes the way women in business shop and invest

SEATTLE – May 1, 2013

By Kristiina Hiukka
CROWDFUNDING platforms have become the new way to shop for the latest new and innovative things. More women are using their pursepower to shop for goods and services that are ethically aligned with their values or interest more consciously than ever. In the wake of the terrible garment company disasters in Bangladesh it has become increasingly important to choose carefully what you spend on – or invest in – your hard-earned money.

The crowdfunding movement has brought to light some unforeseen benefits. For example, the innovators and entrepreneurs who are presenting their products and services on various crowdfunding platforms have created an interesting pre-retail option for consumers and investors. As many crowdfunded projects are based on local manufacturing, there is a potential for creating new jobs as well.

Seattle-based innovator and entrepreneur Margaret Spencer’s DRES System Kickstarter project proved to be a successful example of a case in which people used it for pre-retail shopping, not just for investment purposes. Her dresses became popular both with women who want to look their best for their body types and also with some famed fashion designers who appraised her being the next “Donna Karan”! Among other things, Margaret uses sustainably harvested bamboo and has the dresses made in the Northwest.

Excited and enlightened by her success, Margaret will be teaching a Kickstarter Primer to help others succeed as well. She will be sharing tips and tangible tools based on her experience how to be successful in a crowdfunding campaign on May 9th in Bellevue. Go to our Events page to register.

If only I had known…

… Learning from failure:

Hindsight is a wonderful thing – but only if it benefits the second time around. Sometimes we even get another chance for a “do-over” but other times, the blooper is forever. Bloopers can be funny but they are even more fun if they can be useful. That’s why I’ve invited women innovators to send me stories about their BIG failures, the mistake or the oversight they experienced – and learned from. We’ll publish a blog series about innovators’ hindsight to benefit us all. If you are interested in sharing your BIG mistake and be featured, please write me your response to the following questions by the end of April:

1. What was your goal before you failed / made the mistake? What were you trying to do/accomplish?

2. What did you believe about yourself / your abilities to accomplish it?

3. Who did you work with? Was there a team involved?

4. What made it a memorable mistake? Why do you think it was a failure?

5. How did you feel? What did you think of yourself?

6. When the failure happened, who / what supported you? How?

7. What followed? What were the consequences?

8. How has it impacted you? What did you learn?

… Learning from success:

Sometimes hindsight doesn’t come after a failure. Sometimes we get it when we are successful. Hindsight is a wonderful thing if you share both the secret scars as well as what truly worked and help others have an easier path.

One of the lessons WIN community will be benefiting is the crowdfunding knowledge that Margaret Spencer Continue reading If only I had known…