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Brenda Kahn continued
Being young and being a
woman presented her with the possibility of meeting some extra
resistance. But to her, it's the attitude that matters.
 "I
think your attitude dictates how people perceive you. If you
act immaturely, you are likely to not get what you need. But
if you've done your research and documented it carefully I
think people respond to you with respect. If - after I've
done my homework - I feel someone is not taking me seriously
I find someone else to do business with."
"For me, I have the advantage of being
able to market to myself in a way. I don't need a team of
people trying to figure out what people like me would think
is "cool." Also the technology makes a lot of sense
to me and I enjoy it."
"Presentation is important. I recently
redesigned our logo. But the main thing is working with people
who really know their job i.e. writers who can write well,
editors who can edit well, a webmaster who can not only design
your site, but get it properly placed in the search engines,
etc."
What Brenda didn't count
on was the fact that there were many like-minded people out
there willing to help her cause.
 "Since
three months ago we have grown from an idea I presented to
my web designer into an organization with 12 freelance writers
and editors, a staff photographer, an events manager and an
events co-ordinator. Geoff Purchase (the designer) has been
a huge help. His attitude has made the whole project possible.
But everyone who has come on board has helped make it happen.
Trying to start something
as ambitious as Womenrock.Com was no easy feat. Brenda found
that quite a bit of her inspiration came from those who had
previously been against her.
"My mentors have been (unknowingly)
many of the people who have screwed me in the record business.
It may sound glib, but I've gotten some extremely important
information that way."
When Brenda finally spread
her wings and started up the business, it was a whole different
world for her.
"It felt like I was living in my own
apartment for the first time. Here I was with a world of great
people to write about and I could write about anyone I wanted.
It was a great feeling. I felt free. When we think of ideas
for the site we just go ahead and do them."
Being fueled by the power
of entrepreneurism, Brenda sees her business steadily growing
over the next several years.
"1 year: All the pages and features
of the site in place and awareness growing. 5years: International
awareness of the site as a critical voice in a new generation
of independent female artists. Financially beginning to make
money. 20 years: One of the most established web based magazines
acting as a promoter and distribution network for independent
artists, grant giving organization for independent women in
the arts, a resource center for women starting arts based
businesses, and a sponsor and partner to multi-media events
on and off line. Financially secure and growing - possibly
a public company.
If Brenda Kahn could give
you any advice, it would be this:
"Get started now - there's a lot to
do."
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