To Hatch Or Not To Hatch
  Last week I had the pleasure and satisfaction of watching six women entrepreneurs present their business stories to their peers and loved ones at the Slate Gallery in Oakland’s Temescal District. Each woman had just completed a 12 week course in entrepreneurship developed by the Hatch Network, a new, San Francisco-

Planning and Chance
The recent Bay Bridge closure is a reminder that life is short and fragile. Photo by Michael Macor/San Francisco Chronicle The moment I heard about the Bay Bridge near-catastrophe….I thought oh, my God, that could have been me, my husband, or any one of the many people I know and love who cross the Bridge regularly. As it turned out, I did know one of the people who was on the bridge

Abandon The Cart!
First Lady Michelle Obama - stylish, and prudent! You wrap your hands around your shopping cart and feel your heartbeat quicken as you enter the store. Your senses are heightened by that familiar junk-food aroma particular to Target. You take the long way to the work-out clothes department. You want a quick peak at the women’s clothing. You suddenly remember that Target’s latest clothing line

Cash Flow Planning: Debt and Generation X
Money, unlike apples, doesn't grow on trees. Remember hearing that growing up? It's true. A recent article in Barrons “Boomer Consumer” got me thinking; first, about my own clientele and their particular situations, and second, about a key point that rang true: “The recession has left the typical 18-to-49 year ol

The Best Laid Plans
Back in July, I talked about a fantastic group of Bay Area women business owners. Kathy Wiley, Christine Doerr, Malena Lopez-Maggi and Mindi Fong are all involved in the food business and each had a different take on the value and importance of having a business plan. The original post is here, Women and Money – Women in the Food Biz Talk Business Plans. In that post I shared some thoughts of my own on why business plans are so important. As the article below describes, assumptions and circumstances change and having a plan can help you stay flexible to deal with an ever changing