I want to start a company. The idea is to install fancy technology in the homes of rich people – things like programmable LED lights, smart thermostats, rasberry-pi based devices to automate pet feeding, etc. Like your cat business, it will require going into the homes of my clients. I plan to do a test phase before I look at…
I was a Girl Scout. From first or second grade through sixth or seventh, I wore the uniforms and earned the badges and participated in ceremonies that involved walking over a small wooden bridge. And, of course, I sold cookies. I’m definitely a supporter of the Girl Scouts now. They’re outclassing the Boy Scouts by a million miles on LGBT rights…
An anonymous Tumblr follower asked: I’ve read your columns on multiple income streams, but do you have any advice on generating additional income when you already have a full time (40-60 hour weeks) job? I love my job! It’s meaningful and challenging, but not very lucrative as it is with a non-profit. I make enough to live on but I’m…
I am a 27 year old first time woman entrepreneur! So far I am in the beginning idea phase of starting my own small business in San Francisco. I am extremely passionate about educating and providing the public with healthy smoothies and juices. As a long time gluten-free vegan it is my ultimate goal to show the world that doesn’t…
How do you start charging for expertise? Let’s see a letter from a writer I’ve renamed J.K. Capote-Snicket. I’ve (obviously) anonymized a bit: I’m a multi-published author with 8 [clown-crime] novels out, and nine years experience in the publishing industry. I’ve been full-time since college, and up until now it’s been great: flexible self-employed schedule, independence, plus a small, somewhat…
One of the first Bullish columns I ever wrote was Bullish: How Business is Like Dating. As I’ve been plowing through reader questions in response to Bullish: How to Ask for More Money, Part I and Part II, I felt like I was writing “Bullish: How Asking For Money is Like Lots of Stuff About Boys.” I tried to refine…
A few years ago, I struck up an online friendship with Wendy Shalit, author of A Return to Modesty, the book that Jessica Valenti of Feministing was at least in part responding to with The Purity Myth: How America’s Obsession with Virginity Is Hurting Young Women. Wendy and I traded several long, thoughtful emails about issues we agreed and disagreed…
In last week’s Bullish: This Year’s Most Aggressive Lady-Advice (and Bullicorns!), I shared that my project for 2012 was to start many companies that work together, sharing resources. In Bullish: Screw New Year’s Resolutions – Try Designing Your Career, I talked about how this shit seriously does not happen on its own. So here we are! It’s January 6th, and…
Hey Jen- As I’m sure you’re probably busy with tons of more important things- in my mind you are a wise sage so I just wanted to ask you what your thoughts are on the following: I am a freelance designer (clothing) wanting to start my own clothing line. I’ve been working on it in my free time for the…
In 2003, I had this idea that I might want to go to business school someday, so I attended a [name of Ivy League school redacted] admissions event called something like, “MBA Perspectives for Women.” The Director of Admissions spoke (“We love unconventional applicants. We’d like more philosophy majors.”) and then introduced a panel of three lady graduates ranging from…
