Are entrepreneurs born or made? A few articles I’ve read recently sparked that question and got me thinking about nature versus nurture. Are we born with the drive, passion and know-how to be an entrepreneur or do we learn it over time?
Many women business owners I have met became entrepreneurs out of necessity by wanting more control of their lives. In other words, they were made to be entrepreneurs. Whether they own a business they can operate while raising children or whether they just crave more independence, “necessity is the mother of invention.” There is a reason that the word “mother” is used in that phrase. How many times do women have to think outside the box to solve domestic issues like financial independence or finding time to spend doing things one loves instead of things one likes? This is when business owners are born.
I often hear my clients say things like “I want to start a little business out of my home” or “I have always loved sewing things for other people” or “I have always decorated fun birthday cakes for my kids,” etc. Most women business owners don’t introduce themselves as entrepreneurs or business owners. I encourage you to see yourself as a business owner. Here is a great way to get started — Zions Smart Women Grants.
The Zions Bank Women’s Financial Group has a series of micro-grants for women. The Smart Women Grants are available up to $3,000 to men or women whose proposals promote the empowerment of women or directly benefit women or low-income and underserved populations in Utah and Idaho. One grant will be offered in each of the following six categories:
· Business
· Community development
· Continuing education and teacher support
· Child and/or elder care
· Health and human services
· Arts and culture
Applications and information are available at www.zionsbank.com/smartwomen or by calling 1-800-737-6585. Applications must be received or postmarked by June 29. Grant recipients will be announced in September.
And for help jumpstarting your business, call Zions Bank’s Business Resource Center for a free appointment at (801) 594-8245. We are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beth Holbrook can be reached at beth.holbrook@zionsbank.com.
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