The Old Girls' Network: Insider Advice For Women Building Businesses In A Man's World [Hardcover]

Sharon Whiteley (Author), Connie Duckworth (Author), Kathy Elliott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 12, 2003

Why is it that 95 percent of all investor financing for new businesses goes to men? Women certainly don't lack viable business ideas or the leadership skills to make them soar, but-as the authors, four highly successful entrepreneurs and investors, explain-female creativity and heartfelt commitment alone don't inspire seed-money decision makers. To persuade these mostly-male panels, a woman needs to present her idea in ways that are proven to "speak to" men. Alas, there is as yet a lack of mentors for would-be female entrepreneurs, no "old girls'" network in place to teach them these skills.Stopping this gap with wit and hard-won wisdom, The Old Girls' Network divulges the secrets to start-up and funding success and connects women to the resources they'll need along the way. Written with you-can-do-it attitude, The Old Girls' Network includes inspirational and instructive women-in-business stories, self-assessment quizzes, and recommended strategies for every stage of the entrepreneurial process. A veritable start-up Bible, The Old Girls' Network comes complete with a "tool kit" of sample forms, documents, letters, and templates for necessary agreements, ensuring that the next generation of female entrepreneurs will be admitted to the proverbial locker room of business success.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Four successful entrepreneurs and experienced angel investors seek to help "connect women with the resources they need to start and build sustainable high-growth businesses" in this instructive guide. Full of examples of women who mixed passion, vision and a pioneering spirit to achieve professional success, the volume offers both encouragement and practical advice. Ninety-five percent of all investor financing goes to men, the authors say, but it doesn't have to be that way. They explain that entrepreneurs aren't daredevils-they're optimists who take calculated risks. Although the tone is upbeat and the tales are inspiring, the authors also examine the downside of entrepreneurship; beginning and running a business often takes a toll on families, they write, and the need for enormous stamina can test one's spirits. It's estimated that 50 percent of small businesses fold within their first year, so this book's objective is to provide the other 50 percent, many of which are run by women, with the necessary tools for increased opportunity and success. From topics such as raising capital all the way to exit strategies for the CEO of a successful venture, this volume is a treasure trove of business know-how from some savvy "old girls." An appendix, which includes sample legal forms, term sheets, business plan templates and PowerPoint presentations, should also prove extremely helpful.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ninety-five percent of all investor financing for new business is awarded to men. Yet women-owned businesses employ more than the Fortune 500 combined. Trying to reconcile those diametrically opposed statements might take lifetimes; instead, these four angel investors (Whiteley and her coauthors) patiently help beginners build a business--from the ground up. They quickly start by describing traits mandatory to successful entrepreneurs--passion, vision, pioneering spirit, and tenacity. Then they show how to translate those qualities into tangibles, such as naming the company, generating a short inspirational statement, building relationships before they're needed, and distinguishing between tenacity and obstinacy. They're gracious about sharing insider tips, like how banks lend money or the function of advisory boards. And they're generous in relating the ups and downs of real entrepreneurs, from Zipcars' Robin Chase to Giftcorp's CEO Sheila Schectman. Knowledge to keep--and treasure. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (August 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 073820806X
• ISBN-13: 978-0738208060
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,944,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Women Business Owners, August 20, 2004

By 

Monika Kurzenberger (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Old Girls' Network: Insider Advice For Women Building Businesses In A Man's World (Hardcover)

Don't be fooled by the title of this book. This is not another "networking" book or a simple "how to start a small business" book. It is also not a feminist propaganda disguised within a business development manual. If you are serious about starting, expanding, or reinventing your business consider reading this book. If you are a woman, definitely read this book!

From page one, the angels (read the book to understand why I refer to them as angels) who wrote this book make some basic assumptions: the reader is interested in paving a way in the business world, the reader has the drive to make their dreams come true, and the reader has passion, vision, a pioneering spirit, and the tenacity to make it happen.

But be prepared for lots of hard work. This isn't a read me and set me on the bookshelf type of book. The toolkit provided in the appendix (58 pages) includes checklists, to dos, and touch questions that need to be addressed. The Digging Deeper sections in each chapter provide expanded definitions of important concepts and the Summaries at the end of each chapter provide an easy way to review the important points.

Thanks to all that made this book a reality! It has a permanent place on my desk as I move my business to the next step and is already highlighted and dog-eared.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book every woman business owner should read., March 19, 2004

By 

C. Garrity (Burlington, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Old Girls' Network: Insider Advice For Women Building Businesses In A Man's World (Hardcover)

This book is jam packed with advice on every page. The inspirational stories give insight on "how it is done" as well as showcase highly successful women entrepreneurs; the tool kit provides a useful blueprint to follow right down to sample legal forms; and the down to earth style makes it easy for women just starting a business to easily follow along. That is not to say seasoned women business owners will not benefit from reading the book to take their business to the next level with the "how to's" spelled out for you.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why Not Me!, September 27, 2003

By 

E. M. Wingate (Quincy, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Old Girls' Network: Insider Advice For Women Building Businesses In A Man's World (Hardcover)

Two weeks after picking up The Old Girls' Network my new photography business was in full swing! The first chapter provided me with the validation I needed to move from thought to action. I have my Business Certificate, secured my company name, opened a small business account and am preparing a full array of my products to be displayed in the main branch of the bank for the holidays. My 6 new retail distributors will realize more sales as a result of this opportunity. I am now experiencing entrepreneurial mania. My passion has exploded into raw enthusiasm and my ideas for new products are endless. The Old Girls' Network has become my daily resource, a partner if you will, in my new venture. I need the business savvy detailed in the book which provides the balance for both sides of my brain. I need to stay on target with my vision and business statements. And, everyday that I have to put myself out to the world for either acceptance or rejection, I need to remind myself - Why Not Me!
Whether you are considering your own venture, are already in your own business or are deep into a career in corporate America, you must have passion and you must have your own Vision and Business Plans. I recommend this book to every woman I know.