Small Business United Blog

Lessons for the Working Woman

by Holly Perez - October 30, 2009

Intuit and the Intuit Financial Freedom Foundation sponsored the Women’s Conference in Long Beach, Calif. During the two-day event, we distributed thousands of journals and made personal connections with women interested in our small business and personal finance solutions. Since we encouraged women to use the journals to write down their thoughts and reflections, I thought I’d do the same.  I’ve somehow managed to whittle down two-days of inspiration, empowerment and education into three key takeaways for professional women:  

Be passionate and compassionate - Dr. Kathy Hull, one of four winners of the 2009 Minerva Award, founded the George Mark Children’s House, the first freestanding residential pediatric hospice in the country. Hull believed that all dying children and their families deserve a sanctuary. Every year, more than 200 families call George Mark their temporary home.

Mentors matter – California First Lady Maria Shriver and Dr. Jane Goodall spoke lovingly of their main sources of inspiration, their mothers. These were strong women that supported their daughters’ ambitions, even if it meant letting them travel to Africa to study chimpanzees.  

Celebrate success and failure – We live and breathe this at Intuit every day. Don’t be afraid to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone. Race car driver Danica Patrick knows what it means to break through barriers in a male dominated field. Yet, despite the challenges, she kept getting in the driver’s seat… and set the course for her own success.

The Women’s Conference challenges each of us to be “architects of change.”  What are you doing to impact positive change in your career, through your business, or in your community?

If you liked reading this you may also enjoy:

1. Sage Advice for Women from a Secretary of State
2. Reverse Innovation - Lessons From Emerging Markets
3. Innovation Lessons from the Printing Press

1. Stephanie Sherwood says:

   November 2, 2009 at 12:00 pm

   Holly love what you wrote!!

   So true you must have passion in what you do, must have someone to help support/guide your journey and you MUST celebrate your success and more importantly your “failures”. However you cannot look at them as “failures” but opportunities to grow!

   I would also like to add you must create a “fan base”.

   And what I mean by this is having a group of like-minded women that you can surround yourself with that will help to “lift as you/they climb” and be your champions. I have found the most amazing women to be apart of my “fan base” through networking with a purpose; networking to build relationships through the approach of “give first -share always”! In this approach I receive things greater than I could ever imagine!

   Stephanie Sherwood; Business Match Maker, http://www.ewomennetwork.com
2. Holly Perez says:

   November 5, 2009 at 10:28 am

   Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Stephanie. I agree that a “fan base” is so important for success and an important lesson at any age. We value that sense of community at Intuit and support people helping people, both at work and at home.