FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NAWBO CONTACT:
December 15, 2004 Shawn Taylor Zelman
Telephone: 800-55-NAWBO
E-mail: szelman@nawbo.org

WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS WRITE THE BOOK ON BEGINNING THE JOURNEY TO SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNERSHIP

Tapping Your Inner Entrepreneur: Making the Move from Employee to Business Owner, second in a three-book series sponsored by OPEN: The Small Business NetworkSM from American Express

(McLean, VA)—On the heels of the successful release of its first book oriented toward women entrepreneurs, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO®) announces the release of Tapping Your Inner Entrepreneur: Making the Move from Employee to Business Owner. The second of a three-book series, Tapping Your Inner Entrepreneur, takes the budding entrepreneur one-step closer to their goal of business ownership.

Tapping Your Inner Entrepreneur: Making the Move from Employee to Business Owner covers topics ranging from taking stock of your external environment, developing your business ideas, preparing to make the move to owning your own business, fine-tuning your business venture, and gauging your business’ growth potential. The case studies highlight best practices and the experiences of NAWBO members who successfully embarked on the journey of owning their own business.

Priced at $19.95, with 40 percent discounts available to NAWBO and OPEN members, the book features proven success stories and is a great resource for entrepreneurs.

“Women business owners have a huge impact on our nation’s economy, and the OPEN Network is committed to helping fuel their continued growth and entrepreneurial success. We’re proud to sponsor this book series and believe that it will benefit women business owners who are trying to take their companies to the next level,” says Susan Sobbott, president of the OPEN Network.

Adds Beverly Inman-Ebel, NAWBO President and chief executive officer of TLC Talk Listen Communicate, LLC in Chattanooga, Tenn.: “Although there are a large number of business books on the market, this book paves the way for women entrepreneurs to prepare to make the move to owning their own business.”

“The National Women’s Business Council states an average of 424 women a day started businesses between 1997 and 2002. These numbers prove that there’s quite a demand for a book providing advice to women entrepreneurs,” said Beverly Inman-Ebel, NAWBO President and chief executive officer of TLC Talk Listen Communicate, LLC in Chattanooga, Tenn. “We’re thankful to OPEN: The Small Business Network from American Express for showing their commitment to women business owners through the sponsorship of this book series.”

This book was penned by writer Diane Sears and is the second of the three book series to be published by NAWBO. The third book, Money Matters, which will be published in February 2005, will address business financing.

NAWBO’s first book, Taking an Idea to Market: How to Turn Your Vision into a Successful Business Venture, covered topics ranging from market research and developing a business plan to financing options and protecting your business through copyrights and incorporation. Successful women entrepreneurs and industry experts share their advice and expertise, and explain how women business owners can carve out a unique market position. Case studies highlight best practices and the experiences of NAWBO members in starting and growing their businesses.

About OPEN: The Small Business Network from American Express
OPEN: The Small Business Network from American Express offers small business owners a wide range of tools, services and savings designed to meet their evolving needs. American Express® Business Cards from the OPEN Network, including charge and credit cards, provide payment flexibility that can help small businesses manage their cash flow. The OPEN Network also provides convenient access to working capital including loans, equipment leases and lines of credit.

In addition, the OPEN Network offers enhanced online features such as 24/7 access to account information including balance, available credit, payment due date and pre-selected financing offers through an easy-to-use tool called the “Small Business Dashboard.” The website also provides instant decisions on card products and online card activation. The OPEN Network also provides access to savings on routine business expenses and business services through the OPEN Network from an enhanced lineup of partners.

About NAWBO: Founded in 1975, NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide. Nearly 30 years later, NAWBO is still the only organization that solely represents the interest of women entrepreneurs in all industries. The organization’s mission is to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development; to create innovative and effective change in the business culture; to build strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and to transform public policy and influence opinion makers. Visit www.nawbo.org for more information.