On a recent trip to Mexico, I sat down and interviewed woman social entrepreneur, Patricia Basave.

Tejedoras de Cambios – Interview with Patricia Basave from Skovi on Vimeo.

Patricia Basave is the founder of Tejedoras de Cambios (Weavers of Change), a non-profit organization based in Monterrey, Mexico that helps abused women heal their lives through the process of narrative identity.

The project originated in March 2005 when Patricia created the concept of Tejedoras de Historias (Weavers of Stories). She worked with a group of women who were very interested in working on their own personal development.

By writing their autobiographies, these women uncovered their beliefs and identities. Through that, they started to reorganize and find new positive meaning in their own lives.

Patricia explains that during the sessions there were tears and laughter, but always respect and empathy. The sisterhood they created helps them gain confidence to confront and heal their past wounds.

Session topics include feminism, sexuality, self-esteem, relationships, and forgiveness.

The main objective is to enrich and empower women to improve their self-esteem, to overcome oppression and victimization, to become their own best resource, to feel confident, and to find a true and positive meaning in life.

It was a pleasure interviewing Patricia and she deserves our admiration! All the efforts she has devoted to improving the lives of many women in Mexico make her a true Entrepreneur Goddess. Thanks again, Patricia, for all the wonderful work you do!

For more information about Tejedoras de Cambios please visit their website at www.tejedorasdecambios.org.mx (in Spanish).

• Needs to be more than: “I didn’t want to work for someone else anymore.”o If X can do it, so can I, may or may not be true

• Remember having a passion for something is not enough

• Be careful of: “So I can be at home with my children” or “So I will have more control of my time”.

• Be sure you are clear

• Don’t try to be too much

• Don’t group things that are different

• Too much and too different make you look as if you’re not good enough at something specific

• Can you translate your product or service into a benefit

• If this is not clear you will be wasting time, effort and money marketing and selling

• Everyone or anybody are not good answers

• Banks say this is the number one question loan seekers cannot answer

• It takes research to truly answer this

• Your product/service doesn’t make them spend money; their need or desire does

• It takes research to know what makes them spend money

• Not understanding this will cause you to waste a lot of time and money and possibly to fail

• They must have a reason

• Typical reasons are social consciousness or money

• If they do not care, use another marketing angle

• Research is necessary to know this

• Because research is necessary, you must do it or have it done to be successful

• Marketing and sales must be done whether you like it or not

• You must do it or pay someone to do it

• First, do you know how much you need?

• If you plan to start part-time or on a shoestring, be sure you can be successful

• If you go to a bank you must address the other questions in this list

• Remember that with investors of any kind you lose some control

• Passion and Good Ideas are not financed, potential profit is financed

• Do not expect to receive grants to start or run your business – they do not exist

• Just because prospects, banks, investors, employees, etc. should doesn’t mean they will

• Believing that people will because they should sets you up for failure or at the least disappointment and frustration

• Research is vital to know if prospects and banks/investors will do what you think they should

• Don’t start a business in a field that is already crowded unless you have something very unique

• Don’t start a business in a field where people are not succeeding unless you know why they are not succeeding and you know (not think) you can do better

• If you do not know your competition how will you compete?

• Be sure you have enough money, time and people to compete

• Research is necessary to understand the competition

• A good question is “Do I have the stomach for it”

• Another good question is “Do I have the stamina?”

• You must do the research, understand the situation and develop the plans so that you know what it will take to start and run a business

• The research will also help you put passion and expectations in perspective

• This is very important, but is specific to your business type and your situation

• The need for this understanding is why research is vital

• The need for planning is why you hear “Do you have a Business Plan?” all the time

• Can you hear these words and move on to the next loan officer or prospect?

• Can you use these words to help you decide if you need to modify, redirect or fold your tent?

• Can you take these words as opportunities and not obstacles?

• If a prospect has a process can you accept the fact that you must follow it, will you allocate the time to do so?

• Do you understand that the directions or hoops are part of the “test”?

• Do you recognize that the directions or hoops do not have to make sense to you?

• Remember that the customer is always right

Lush in a Rush: Beauty products for entrepreneurs on the go…

My favorite nail polish colors aren’t fast drying. Often, I forget to apply a fresh layer on my hands or feet until five minutes before I have to leave the house for a business meeting or event. If I have to throw certain open-toed shoes on, my fast yet smooth layer of nail polish gets smeared or my heels get ruined. Not a fun or efficient thing to happen in the few fast-paced minutes before flying out the door.

OPI Drip Dry has been in my nail kit for almost three years now. Santa put it in my stocking one year and now I can’t do without it. With only 1-2 drops per nail, your polish will be dry and hard within a minute. Yes, it’s that cool and that simple.

Although I don’t remember the box making this claim, I have found that my nails look nicer for a longer period of time whenever I use OPI Drip Dry. The bottles are small but last a long time. Try the product once…I promise you’ll love it!

Kolobags
“Get on the move with this cute little thing. You will get lots of bang for your buck with a streamlined laptop backpack that features a top loading, fully padded compartment for your laptop and files. Fit your extras into multi-functional pockets and an easy access pocket for your cell phone and accessories. You’ll even get the added bonus of a detachable cosmetic bag. Make your outfit with black, red, cranberry pink or faded denim.”
$52

I hate laptop cases and and anything that appears like a laptop belongs inside. Laptop cases are traditionally ugly, bulky, awkward, and not very stylish.

I used to work for a place that had me traveling abroad several times a month with my 12″ laptop in tow. Carrying a laptop case slung across my shoulder, in a place like Mexico City, is an invitation to get mugged. During these trips I would pack my laptop in a thick black wet suit-like sleeve and place it inside an over-sized purse. My makeshift system worked quite well at the time. The bag was elegant enough for meetings yet camouflaged enough for the busy city streets.

If only I’d known about the existence of Kolobags during these trips! Kolobags are the best thing to ever happen to women entrepreneurs who want to be stylish and practical. Whether backpacks, purses, wheels, totes, or messenger bags Kolobags offers a large array fashionable options to meet any type of business or personal need. It’s really a one-stop shop.

With lots of storage space and compartments for those random odds-and-ends, buying bag from Kolobag for your entrepreneurial needs could be a good option and time saver. Ordering a Kolobag online is easy because they give you the interior dimensions as well as what type and size computer the bag will fit. The company could, however, do a better job of showing customers the interior of each bag online. I’m the type of person who really wants the details of each and every little compartment.

Kolobags boasts an easy return policy, which I can’t vouch for because I’ve never returned anything. You will, however, lose money on the shipping costs. From the looks of it, REI has more liberal return policies. If you purchase your bag outside of the US or Canada, there are no returns accepted at Kolobags. Thumbs down for that small, yet major detail.

Prices range anywhere from $25 for a basic sleeve to a whopping and insane $456 for a purse. You can get a nice looking and practical bag for around $50. You shouldn’t have to spend more money than that for a bag! Check out the Kolobags website and chances are you will find a laptop bag to meet you small business needs!

*And no, I’m not getting paid (or kickbacks) to write this.