Diane’s passion for what she does translates into numerous rewards that motivate her every day. “The greatest reward is changing lives, one person at a time,” reflects Diane. She loves so many things about her business:

• Watching a woman find her passion and gather up the courage to take action on it.
• Being around other female entrepreneurs that share the same journey.
• Unfolding challenges and the variety that each day holds.
• Working hard and seeing results.
• Looking back and realizing how far she has come in the last 5 years.
• Appreciating that she has accomplished things that she never thought she could do.

After taking the free Which Jane Are You? assessment at www.JaneOutoftheBox.com, Diane discovered that her Jane type has changed over time. “I just took the assessment again and I am an Accidental Jane. I used to be a Tenacity Jane, but now that my business is five years old, I feel that I am turning a corner. Each year has had challenges and successes. As an Accidental Jane, I love the flexible schedule, control over how I spend my time, and the relationships and connections that my business provides. Watching my clients live their dreams is amazing and my dreams are bigger too. 2010 is my BE BRAVE year as I take on new and exciting projects, including writing a book and launching a national association, the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs. There is always more to learn! I was a Tenacity Jane for a long time and was shocked to find that I was no longer. I was used to being Tenacity.”

Diane’s Lessons Learned for Tenacity Janes and Accidental Janes:

Lesson #1: Get help!: I finally got a virtual assistant this year and what a difference that has made.
Lesson #2: Speak your Truth: Figure out your ideal client and stop trying to be everything to everyone.
Lesson #3: Be Brave: Step out and do things that scare you…you will never know until you try!

Kevn started his company when, “Somewhere along the line it became clear that I could actually succeed at doing what I love for a living. That was a big deal…I felt like I’d shed the shackles for sure. My field lends itself to working for clients directly. Plus, I enjoy the autonomy; there are many great employers of course, but even in the best of circumstances, there’s a formal structure that caps ideas and salaries. There is no cap when you work for your own business.” Although rewards of owning his own business are numerous, Kevn finds the greatest satisfaction, “When a client is satisfied with an Idear Studios creation, the sun shines brighter on my bald noggin, no doubt.”

After taking the free Which Jane Are You? assessment at www.JaneOutoftheBox.com Kevn discovered that he (playing on Tenacity Jane) is a Tenacity ‘Joe.’ “Like anything worthwhile,” says Kevn, “becoming a successful commercial or fine artist requires a lot of work, and tenacity is a quality that will make sure that happens. In some respects I’ve probably been pursuing goals that were too small or misdirected, but in many other respects hard work and devotion has paid off for me…just not as big as I desire. My advice for other Tenacity Janes – or Joes – is to make sure you’re applying that tenacious aspect of your personality to the best objectives.”

YanCetta grew up in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, where she explored the countryside and its colors with her pet dogs. Her first experience in art was finger painting and getting messy in elementary school. She moved to Delaware at age fifteen, where she visited museums, learned about art, and became fascinated by the impressionist movement. “I fell in love with Van Gogh; the swirls, the colors, they are so alive,” remembers YanCetta. “I painted my first canvas in oil when I was 16. I had no idea what I was doing. It was a present. I loved painting. The experience inspired me to buy a book on painting. I taught myself how to paint and build stretchers for canvas.” YanCetta later committed to a formal art education and was professionally-trained at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. “I am a renaissance woman,” says YanCetta. “I love to create in whatever I see: woodwork, fabric, glass, food, whatever I can find or dream up. I have no limits. Today I am working in glass. On buying trips, I pick up every piece, feel every curve, and get to know the glass. I travel all over to be inspired by wonderful people and beautiful landscapes.”

YanCetta started her business to be able to provide a better life for herself and her family. “I love what I do,” says YanCetta. “I could not think of a better way to make a living. I reside in Colorado, but my dream is to buy my family’s farm in Virginia and to create a full-scale dyeing business to rejuvenate the farm and to bring jobs to the area. The greatest rewards I have achieved so far are the satisfaction of my customers and being able to take charge and control of my life.”

After taking the free Which Jane Are You? assessment at www.JaneOutoftheBox.com, YanCetta discovered that she is a Jane Dough. “It fits me because I am growing my business to become bigger and better,” says YanCetta. “One day I’d love to see my children take over. My biggest challenge is to get traffic to my Esty site, but I am working and learning as I go. The greatest lesson I have learned to share with other Jane Doughs is to be patient. Good things will come as long as you are working towards your goal. Be your own cheerleader! I used to be a Tenacity Jane due to struggles with money in my personal and business life. I’m getting better at finances as time goes on.”

A family history of entrepreneurship set the stage for Janet’s future. “My father was an entrepreneur, and his father before him, and they never worked for the corporate world,” says Janet. “Through that experience, I knew that I wanted to pursue the life of a successful entrepreneur. My journey started at a young age, and I sold everything from cosmetics to plastic wear. Some businesses were successful, and some were not. While struggling to find my passion, I decided to get a ‘real’ job and held several corporate positions. When the software industry sent their call centers overseas, I job-hopped and experienced many layoffs. Knowing all along that the corporate world was not for me, I studied and passed my life insurance test and the California real estate exam, then used my financial knowledge and customer service skills to help many people live a life of financial abundance. Although I was a financial success, I was missing something.”

Janet found her passion after rediscovering her true calling. “What I finally realized was that I missed my computer software roots,” recalls Janet, “and deep in my heart I was a ‘geek’! I dove head first into Internet marketing and social media and started my new business in 2005, this time with a clear vision. I love to see my clients succeed with the least amount of stress and financial strain. When they follow a plan that shows them how to create multiple income streams through social media marketing, they enjoy more time and financial freedom. The greatest reward has been to see my clients businesses grow using my social media strategy.”

After taking the free Which Jane Are You? assessment at www.JaneOutoftheBox.com, Janet discovered that she is a Jane Dough “The assessment results were amazing!” says Janet. “Jane Dough is me – exactly! My focus is definitely growth and operations and I am moving forward! The first step has been to hire a team, including a personal assistant, so I can take on more business. Sometimes I strive for balance, and have been a Go Jane Go in the past. When I work weekends and evenings, I often feel guilty.”

What is Janet’s advice for her fellow Jane Doughs? “Don’t be timid. If you believe in what you are doing and are passionate about it, you have to share it with the world! The one thing that made a huge difference for me was to let go of what others thought of me. I am putting my business out there knowing that I am offering a top-notch service for my clients and I feel confident.”

Laura started her company to provide what she observed as needed service to business owners. “Business owners have a hard enough time running their day to day operation. My services give them the freedom to keep running their business and not worry about the rest,” says Laura.

When asked to state what the biggest reward is for owning her own business, Laura creates quite a visual. “I love to see the look on my clients face or hear them breathe a sigh of relief when working with them on their business needs and offering them solutions. I can save them both time and money while protecting their business assets, and that is rewarding in itself, but best of all ,they realize immediate results, achieve lasting success and they garner new tools to permanently raise their bottom line.”

After taking the free Which Jane Are You? assessment at www.JaneOutoftheBox.com, Laura discovered that she is a Jane Dough. “Jane Dough fits me,” asserts Laura. “I do enjoy running my business and I am very comfortable with selling and marketing. It is very satisfying running my own business and putting the longer hours because it is an investment that is well worth it. Team members at Virtual Business Solutions have 25+ years of experience, which makes our team a great asset for any business owner to work with. Masterminding with the team on viable solutions for businesses that need our help makes for great ideas and business solutions.” Many Jane Doughs envision creating a legacy-based business, and Laura is a prime example. “My son will be attending college this fall and will be majoring in Digital Media and Marketing so some day passing this business on to my son or having him become a team member is something that keeps me energized to keep growing my business.”

Laura offers some sound advice for other Jane Dough. “If you are just graduating college and starting your road to business success, my advice would be to spend your energy on YOUR business goals FIRST and then work on other businesses along the way. That would be a lesson I learned later in my business career and I wish I would have set my business boundaries sooner.

I would say in the beginning of my career I would have been the Go Jane Go. Not knowing when to say ‘NO.’ I now teach a Business Boundaries class to help other Jane’s know how to SAY NO.”

Terry’s clients now span the globe from the United States and Canada to New Zealand, Antigua, Singapore, and Sweden. Fastype’s service list offers services shopping cart management, custom WordPress Blogs and WishList membership sites, InfusionSoft set-up and support, ezine and blog submission and design and formatting of ebooks. Terry’s 30 years of experience in administrative support and her strong passion for customer service have contributed to her being one of the most respected Virtual Assistants in the industry. This industry leader is VA Certified and a Certified Master Virtual Assistant.

As many entrepreneurs discover, Terry started her own business because she loved what she was doing, but not the company for whom she was working. “I’d been an executive/administrative assistant for about 18 years,” said Terry. “I was completely fed up with the corporate world – office politics, corporate hierarchy and everything that goes with it. When my three children reached those wonderful pre-teen years, it became evident that I needed to be at home with them. I quit my job and shortly after found a book at the library that was written by about 40 women who started their own businesses doing what they loved to do and the way they wanted to do it. I did some research, made a few phone calls and opened the doors to my business about three months later. I love the freedom I have in all aspects of my life because my successes and/or failures are dependent on decisions that I make. I continue to do what I love to do, I have a personal life, and as a multi-VA company, I am able to help others just like me do the same.”

After taking the free Which Jane Are You? assessment at www.JaneOutoftheBox.com , Terry discovered that she is a Jane Dough with Go Jane Go tendencies. “My Go Jane Go tendencies caused me to reach the point that I either had to work 14 hour days, 7 days a week, or stop taking on new clients; and I didn’t want to do either. Then, the Jane Dough side of me kicked in and fueled my desire to expand from a single VA practice to a multi-VA company. I love it that I can continue to bring on new clients, build my team, and continue to grow my company, all while still enjoying a life. I now get to do only those things that I’m passionate about, have a personal life, yet bring in enough income that my husband has been able to quit his job and work at home in our business. My main challenges have been letting go and not having to be in control of everything and finding great team members who hold the same values and business ethics that I do.”

Terry’s advice for other Jane Doughs? “Go for it! Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Learn how to surround yourself with great team members so you can let go of some of the control without freaking out.”

As an entrepreneur, Marie has always had her hand in a new venture. “I’ve been an owner, manager or director of a number of businesses and non-profits throughout the last twenty years. My current business is a niche discovered while teaching business classes for both a college and university. I started conducting additional workshops in human resources, management and accounting and discovered that many business owners need help running their businesses and will they pay a premium for sound advice.” Marie believes that the rewards of owning her own business comes from her clients’ results. She relates: “The greatest satisfaction is when my clients report to me that they’ve met or exceeded their goals.”

After taking the free Which Jane Are You? assessment at www.JaneOutoftheBox.com Marie discovered that she is a Merry Jane. “The assessment indicates that I’m a Merry Jane; however, there are components of the other styles that fit my personality better. I’ve always, and will always be, an entrepreneur – this has never been accidental. The distinction between the styles is because I discovered how to earn money in a different modality while teaching for a college and university. I used the experience that I acquired in teaching extremely large classes to hone my speaking skills and professionally present my expertise. I’ve learned to balance my life and business as is typical of a Merry Jane; however, I’m extremely focused on business growth, as is Jane Dough. My business doubled last year and I’m on track to double again this year.”

Marie has some sound advice for other Merry Janes: “Follow your passion! Find something that you love to do, and then go do it…the money will follow. I’ve probably been a Go Jane Go many times during my life. Learning to balance a personal business with one’s private life is a skill that is learned and must be practiced. Saying no to some, and deciding on priorities is also a learned skill.”

Charlotte started her business as a second career after 25 years at Hewlett Packard. “After retirement from Hewlett Packard as a Project Manager in product development,” remembers Charlotte, “I felt I had a skill set that could help other professionals. The greatest reward I get from being a business owner is hearing the words ‘thank you.’”

After taking the free Which Jane Are You? assessment at www.JaneOutoftheBox.com, Charlotte discovered that she is a Jane Dough. Charlotte is certain that she has been all Jane Types in the past and believes that if we learn from the events that made us who we are, then our history is “a glorious gift and truly, a blessing.” Jane Dough fits her present situation perfectly. “I am blessed with the experience of people management along with project management” said Charlotte. “I was successful at both. And because of that experience, I’m determined to be successful again in a different environment and in a different industry.”

Charlotte has some straight talk for other Jane Doughs. “First and foremost – If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all. And secondly, just do what makes sense. Use your gift of intuition.”

Liz started her business when her oldest daughter went off to college. “I needed something more than just being a stay-at-home mom,” remembers Liz. “The idea for Wickedly Chic had been brewing in my mind for quite some time. It did not seem to matter in which city or state I resided, the same big-box stores prevailed. There was a clear need for a representation of smaller shops and venues. Being an at-home mom, you get spoiled in creating your own routine. I wanted to be able to do the same with a business.”

“One of the greatest rewards in running Wickedly Chic has been that people want to read what I write,” said Liz. “There’s an even bigger interest in focusing on small shops than I anticipated, and I’m right at the heart of that movement. My world would be much narrower without Wickdly Chic. I have met so many wonderful people and I am amazed at how my world continues to grow every day.”

After taking the free Which Jane Are You? assessment at www.JaneOutoftheBox.com , Liz discovered that she is a Jane Dough. “Originally, I planned on running Wickedly Chic on a small scale,” mused Liz. “But the more that I’ve delved into it, I see more opportunity for my vision to grow greater than I ever imagined. I spend more time working than I estimated in the beginning, especially thinking, planning and strategizing. I believe in what I am doing and am passionate about businesses that I market and promote. I need to stop and give myself more credit. Initially, I thought that Wickedly Chic was simply an idealistic dream. But I’ve managed to grow and develop the concept over the past three years and sell the idea to other women, both customers and advertisers. Over that period, I’ve been Tenacity Jane and Accidental Jane, but now I’m most positively moving down the Jane Dough path.”

What’s Liz’s advice for other Jane Doughs? “Keep reminding yourself of how far you’ve come and pat yourself on the back. It’s like being a full-time mom. There is no boss following you around to tell you what an outstanding job you are doing. Be your own cheerleader and surround yourself with other business women. Shout, ‘Yay Me!,” when it’s appropriate. It’s not bragging to let others know what is happening in your business. If you don’t toot your own horn, who’s going to toot it for you?”

Mary had always wanted to be an entrepreneur, so after a successful stint in high tech, she spread her wings and went out on her own. “The best reward for running your own business is seeing the impact you have on many others,” said Mary. “Helping them to streamline their business to improve the bottom line, customer satisfaction, and employee satisfaction is priceless.”

After taking the free Which Jane Are You? assessment at www.JaneOutoftheBox.com , Mary discovered that she is a Jane Dough. Mary is an engineer, and has always been driven to do more, better, faster, and more economically – she is the stereotypical Jane Dough. For her, business brings her a sense of accomplishment, and she has very clear ideas of what she wants to do and how she wants to do it. “Being in a male-dominated field all my life, it makes sense to me that I was probably always a Jane Dough,” said Mary. “Learning to succeed in engineering and semiconductor fabrication meant that I had to plan, then implement, a very specific strategy to succeed, which I was able to do.”

As a Jane Dough, Mary likes to work on new things, so she is always evolving her business. In addition to McDonald Consulting, she is publishing her fifth book, “Taming Procrastination – The Easy Solution to Gaining Control of Your Life“, under her “Efficiency Doctor” brand; and helps organizations implement technical tools including ISO, Lean, and Six Sigma, under her “Integration Doctor” brand. Despite this flurry of activity, Mary still takes time to spend with her two high school children and husband of 26 years, as well as sing in her church choir.

Mary’s advice to other Janes? “Each Jane has their strength – play to that strength,” said Mary. Equally importantly: “partner with others to minimize your weakness, and bring complementary skill sets together!”