Jo-Anne Yau’s Woman-Owned Business Strategies Featured in Jacksonville Business Journal
More Florida women are deciding to become business owners in the face of our current economic crisis. And their businesses are thriving. Ask Jo-Anne Yau, who was featured in the Business Strategies section of the Jacksonville Business Journal.
Ms. Yau credited her mentors and support staff for her success in starting a law firm when the odds were against a new business.
According to the December 2010 American Express Open State of Women-Owned Business report, woman entrepreneurs in Florida have been steadily increasing in number since 2007. Along with this growth also came increased employment opportunities.
Locally, the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center has seen an increase in clients since 2010. The JWBC counseled 351 clients in 2010, and with the current fiscal year half way completed, they have already seen 469 clients. The JWBC offers mentoring and training programs such as Marketing and Financial Matters. This is a great resource for women seeking to start their own businesses here in Jacksonville.
Among new businesses started by women is Dixie’s Barbeque, spearheaded by Susan Lesniak. Dixie’s is a mobile barbeque concept, making stops at venues like office parks, fairs, and shopping districts.
Duval county has a number of other resources and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs. The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce has the Professional Women’s Council, there is a Women Business Owners group that meets once per month, and for attorneys, there is the Jacksonville Women Lawyers’ Society.
This trend of increasing numbers of woman-owned businesses is encouraging in many respects. Not only is it commendable to see women taking the reigns to start a venture, it sets an optimistic stage for all businesses to start up and thrive.
To get your venture started on the right foot, talk to a business attorney about forming a corporate entity, registering your trademarks, and getting your contracts in order.
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