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By: Kim Kirmmese Toth, As a Women Business Owner, Where Did You Get Your Gumption?

Courage, guts, nerve, bravery, common sense, good sense, horse sense. That is what I get when I put my mouse over the word ‘gumption’ and right click. Do you have gumption? How did you get it?
http://www.positiveaginginc.com/smallbusinesscoach/2012/as-a-women-business-owner-where-did-you-get-your-gumption

Posted to Facebook by Cheryl Collins, Women Entrepreneurs Worldwide!  Every now and then, there is an article that really peaks my interest for whatever reason.  It could be the timing.  It could be (as in the case of this article) the telephone conversations I have had over the past several days.  The people that have come into my life within the last year and those that have been in my life for many years.  It's ironic how you can begin to separate and categorize those individuals (whether positive or negative) the impact that their contribution makes.  I come to understand that the negative as well as the positive is beneficial.  For me, the negative pushes me ever farther to do more and increases the positive for a more progressive result.

 If you are on LinkedIn and part of the group, Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals, feel free to read my response to this article.  I may even blog this one.  Have a very, very "gumption" life.

Posted to LinkedIn, Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Group by Cheryl Collins, Women Entrepreneurs Worldwide!I believe that a certain percentage of (gumption, courage, guts, nerve, bravery, common sense,  good sense,  and horse sense I genetically inherited from a group of women at the very inception of my life. I give all credit, to my mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunts, and cousins.  These were women who never stopped the wheel or progress.  It was remarkable to watch them take care of families, work; continue being educated in many areas, while keeping their beautiful personal appearance.    Women who were not afraid to be women, but at the same time could stand toe-to-toe with any male in a conversation, degrees in education, etc.  Also, having a very large male presence was attributable.

 As an African American, the percentage of individuals who were afforded the enlightment of being made aware of how important it was to be an entrepreneur, or own your own business was minimal.  What was constantly embedded in our thoughts and were almost daily conversations was, as funny as it may seem, “the early bird catches the worm.”  Have your own and make sure that you are not totally dependent on anyone.  Understand that faith is the basis for things unseen.  It was stressed that what is common to one individual may not be common to another.    I found out during the early years of my life that “gumption” was a must and not having it or being a slacker was considered, not wanting anything out of life.  Definitely a very big disappointment to the individuals who paved the way for us.  Courage, guts, nerve, and bravery they all went hand-in-hand.  The four meant that you were an individual who had some direction, not afraid to think outside the box.  Common sense, good sense, was in the category of not wasting time.  Horse sense was understanding the possibility of the consequences of your actions and if horse sense were to rise to the occasion, then you best be prepared to take the responsibility of something not in line with moving forward in a positive direction.

As I am sure many people used to think, "I wondered why my parents used to say the same things over and over again"  I realized that there was a method to their madness.  Their purpose for how we were raised was to at least be 95% satisfied that we would stand on our own and contribute what we learned to pass on to our children and grand children.  Their percentage went beyond 95% for me, as it hit 100% with my daughter. Her gumption, courage, guts, nerve, and bravery are off the chart.  Her very presence in a room commands attention.  All of the senses mentioned here have been well-tested when it comes to my daughter.

I didn’t go full force into entrepreneurship early on, but I started preparing the path in my early twenties. 

 I strategically placed myself in the presence of men who were on the entrepreneur track and business owners and I literally followed them around the world.  I gained even more confidence when traveling with them throughout Africa, while seeing first-hand the import business.  Although I put in my time in the legal profession which proved to be even more of a benefit, I never loss the desire to acquire my own.  I never believed it would be easy, but I have always believed that it would be fulfilling and rewarding and the passion and desire would be scaled at 100%. 

It is gumption, courage, bravery and guts that were instrumental in establishing Women Entrepreneurs Worldwide, so that women around the world would become more enlightened and strengthened in knowing that women in other parts of the world shared the same concerns regarding family, entrepreneur endeavors and business ownership. The link “About Me” probably gives a clearer view of how endeavoring to be an entrepreneur or business owner requires all of the qualities mentioned in this article.  Here’s to the women entrepreneurs globally “You Can--don’t let anyone tell you that you Can’t.”  Have a very Gumption Day!

 Reply from Kim Kirmmese Toth, Founder of Positive Aging, Inc. and Owner/President at The Health Centered Business Women.

"@Cheryl, You certainly were raised with a fire in your belly and you daughter is following in your footsteps. That is the biggest compliment of all isn't it?"                   

JOIN US!  October 9-18, 2012--WEW will network in the United Arab Emirates.

Visit: http://about.me/womenentrepreneursworldwide

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