Liberian-born Cheryl Isaac reveals how women entrepreneurs can go global + the one thing women entrepreneurs can do each day to boost their business outlook
Cheryl Isaac knows a thing or two about international business. Born in the West African country of Liberia, Cheryl Issac lived through a civil war that rocked the country to its core. Despite scarce resources?and?in the?middle?of political and economic strife, people were starting businesses. The?difficult?circumstances lit the?entrepreneur?spark in Isaac that propels her in business today.
Now a highly sought after business strategist, writer and social media voice, Isaac said, ?Business is all about creating and providing services. I saw people bootstrapping their business with whatever was available.?
The economic lessons she learned ? the idea of taking nothing and making it into something ? continues to?inspire?her long after her move to the U.S. as a teen.
Her Moxie Mix: Favorite Inspirational Quote??
?If your face?is swollen?from the severe beatings of life, smile and pretend to be a fat man.?
? Nigerian proverb
Recently, Time Magazine featured Isaac as one of ?The 140 Best Twitter Feeds of 2012? because she provides the perfect?combination?of business?knowledge?and personal anecdotes. The same holds true for her work as a business strategist and?author. Moxie asked the ?World with a View?? Forbes Woman columnist what three things she thinks American women need to know about?international?business?
1. Women entrepreneurs need to consider international business options.
Isaac cautioned women to let go of?their preconceived notions about starting a?business?overseas.
?It scares people,? she said.??That myth that you have to be a really big company [to go international].?It takes one step at a time.?
She advised women to?begin?with a?culture?that appeals to them and take?tremendous?care to?examine?the country?s way of life, their spending habits and even their?business?etiquette. One of the biggest mistakes U.S. businesses make is not knowing the?customs?of the country.?Other?big?mistakes??Underestimating the people and not getting a local business consultant to help?guide?the paperwork?process?and cultural issues.
Isaac said international entrepreneurs should prepare to be ?on the ground? in the country for at least a month to two months. They should also expect an?intense?paperwork process.
Her Moxie Mix:?Tech/Gadget/App?You?Can?t?Live Without?
Zite?Magazine App.?It personalizes content for your?iPad.
2. Entrepreneurs should study business news from other countries.
Reading more about international businesses is an excellent?opportunity to?improve?a stateside business, Isaac said.
?The more they [women] open their minds, the more they can broaden their views in their own business,? she said. ?Spend 20 minutes out of a day reading about how its [business]?is being done, find ideas, business partners?By keeping our eyes open we only make our business better.?
Her Moxie Mix: What are?you?reading?
I just finished The Memoirs of Cleopatra.
3. Women entrepreneurs should remember they are not alone.
The same barriers to entrepreneurship women in America experience ? access to?capital, training, opportunity, are the same barriers other women experience around the world. Isaac is studying how Chinese culture affects women entrepreneurs and?recent?efforts to remove barriers that affect them. She notes that societal?opposition?to women business owners increase the intensity of the barriers women in those areas must face.
What?s Next?
For Isaac, it is all about continuing to?help?startups thrive, shopping her?memoir?of her childhood experiences in Liberia?to agents?and creating a startup?exchange?for girls in West Africa. Don?t miss her post ?How to Push for Cash When You?re in the Service Business? featured on Women with Moxie Entrepreneurs. Also, stay tuned for a special Moxie sponsored LinkedIn with Cheryl.
For?you, dear Moxie reader -?don?t?you have some research to?do?
Share your story. Have?you?ever thought about taking your business international? What countries interest?you?
Related posts:
- How To Push For Cash When You?re In The Service Business
- Quick + Easy Tips to Boost Business Sales
- RFSQ: Architectural and Engineering Services for Rickenbacker International
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