WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?  
February 1, 2012

According to a study just released by The American College, a nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services, 95% of women entrepreneurs fall into one of four categories that reflect individual confidence, different stress levels and abilities to achieve work/life balance. Have a look at the results and share your thoughts on our LinkedIn Startup Sisters page.

PRECIOUS FEW WOMEN WORLDWIDE IN CORPORATE POSITIONS

Deutsche Bank publishes timely report on gender-balanced leadership, which quantifies impact of women in business and says we've still got a long way to go to accomplish parity in the workplace. "Rather than attempting to change women, interested companies need to alter outmoded corporate attitudes and processes," the report says. Download a copy, in English, from the company's website.

STARTING A BUSINESS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE

Attention would-be entrepreneurs: A new book says starting a business is not a walk in the park. But didn't we at Startup Sisters already know that?   Melinda F. Emerson's "Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works,"  was the subject of a column Jan. 15 by Washington Post columnnist Michelle Singletary. It's worth checking out, if only to hear that starting your own business teaches you the meaning of 'sacrifice.' <g>

'ARTFUL MOXIE' RADIO SHOW FEATURES TWO STARTUP SISTERS

Be sure to visit the Chat With Women archive to listen to the Dec. 27 program, featuring Nina Bondarook and Aileen Fredericks, who discuss the mission of Startup Sisters. Hear what they had to say about fellow Sisters Carol Loe, Jane Marshall, Teresa Grimm and Molly Murrah during the hour-long program, and learn how you can become a guest on a future program.  Show host Andrea Hueston is CEO of Artitudes Design of Issaquah and features local female entrepreneurs Mondays at 8 a.m. as part of the Chat With Women network.
WHERE ARE ALL THE WOMEN LAWYERS?

The Wall Street Journal Law Blog by Vanessa O'Connell

Despite more diversity initiatives, as well as maternity-leave and part-time policies that are generally viewed as female-friendly, women remain dramatically underrepresented in law firm leadership ranks, according to a new study from the National Association of Lawyers. In the average law firm, for instance, just one or two women are among the members of the firm's highest governing committee, and very few firms place women in the role of overall managing partner. . .

WANT TO BECOME YOUR OWN BOSS?

If you're thinking of starting your own company, read Michelle Singletary's review of the new book, "Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works" (Adams Media, $14.95). PRECIOUS FEW WOMEN WORLDWIDE IN CORPORATE POSITIONS Deutsche Bank publishes timely report on gender-balanced leadership, which quantifies impact of women in business and says we've still got a long way to go to accomplish parity in the workplace. "Rather than attempting to change women, interested companies need to alter outmoded corporate attitudes and processes," the report says. Download a copy, in English, . by Vanessa O'Connell WHAT

THE END OF MEN

Earlier this year, women became the majority of the workforce for the first time in U.S. history. Most managers are now women too. And for every two men who get a college degree this year, three women will do the same. For years, women’s progress has been cast as a struggle for equality. But what if equality isn’t the end point? What if modern, postindustrial society is simply better suited to women? Read this Atlantic report  on the unprecedented role reversal now under way— and its vast cultural consequences.  

HOW TODAY'S 'MANCESSION'
WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING

Fortune editor Patricia Sellers talks about the fact that three-quarters of the 7 million jobs lost in this recession belonged to men, and how the expansion of health care and education is helping women in today's society.  "I, as an historian, can tell you that the rising power of women in the workforce will have a long-run impact on institutions, the social contract, and the look and feel of work itself."   You'll find the rest of her thought-provoking blog, called Postcards, here.

YOUNG MEN, TESTOSTERONE
 AND THE FINANCIAL MESS

Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, author of 20-first, a blog about building gender-balanced businesses, writes in this column, about instability in the financial markets, and how women could be a successful counter-balance to male-dominated trading floors. Click here to explore what the experts tell her about the subject.

WHY HISPANIC BUSINESSWOMEN ARE PROSPERING: It's partly economic savvy and partly the fact they've been shunted aside by mainstream corporate America, according to Fabiola Santiago of the Miami Herald.

KMART'S HOLIDAY ADS SHOWCASE SHIFT IN APPROACH TO ETHNIC MARKETS: The first clue that something needed to change was the shopping carts. Or, more specifically, what was in them, Advertising Age reports. Hispanic customers were snapping up styles from Jaclyn Smith, a Kmart designer meant to target the general market.