resilience

17 Black Women-Run Ventures That Inspire Us

For National Black Business Month, we’re celebrating Black female entrepreneurs who are true examples of resilience and innovation.

She’ll Plan a Good Time – For a Good Cause

Melva LaJoy Legrand’s business coordinates events for organizations whose work is rooted in social justice, equity, climate change mitigation and education access.

On Connie Francis, Whose Powerful Voice Reached Far and Wide

Connie Francis was an internationally loved musician who made Billboard Hot 100 history. She was a survivor, advocate and author. And she touched generations of people – myself included.

5 Black Women Entrepreneurs on the Importance of Juneteenth

The holiday marks the end of state-sanctioned slavery in the U.S. But as these women note, Juneteenth is also a celebration of resilience and determination.

She Moved to The U.S. to Start Over. Today, She’s Got Her Own Beauty Business

Ekaterina Mironova is the founder of Via Venice Beauty, a sweet and sunny Los Angeles salon.

On the Road Back to Los Angeles…And Feeling Grateful

Our writer Lucy Sherriff, who lost her condo in the Palisades fire and temporarily left the city, is beginning the process of recovery – financially and emotionally.

Cardi B, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kerry Washington React to Trump’s Win

Harris’ defeat has prompted feelings of discouragement from women across the country, but also thanks and words of motivation.

How ‘Fast Car’ at the 2024 Grammys Showed Us What We Truly Need

Viewers glommed onto the night’s rendition of Tracy Chapman’s classic song about dashed dreams. But we got more than just a moment of musical connection.

She Inspires Children to Stay Positive in Tough Times

Cat Kozuch spreading empowering messages to kids with her Believe a Buddy teddy bears.

Defiant Afghan Women Aim to Send Message of Hope at 2023 Asian Games

The athletes – all of them displaced from Afghanistan – are competing despite the Taliban’s nationwide ban on women’s sports.

She Quit Her Dead-End Job to Start the Company of Her Dreams

Hannah Chapman is the founder of Ava May Aromas, which sells handmade candles, scented oils and more, all inspired by designer fragrances.

The Compelling, Complex and Wholly Incomparable Tina Turner

The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll was an immense musical talent, a captivating performer – and a thoughtful woman who wouldn’t be defined by adversity.

One Year After the Russian Invasion, Here Are 7 Charities Providing Aid to Ukrainians

Now a whole year into this brutal war, Ukrainians are still in need of basic necessities like food, shelter, medicine and fuel.

Buzzy Memoir ‘Acceptance’ Offers New Take on Resilience

In her new book, Emi Nietfeld, known for publicly detailing harassment at Google, questions what it means to overcome adversity.

A Foreign Film About Women Making Jam Makes a Surprisingly Strong Statement

Director Blerta Basholli of Kosovo talks about her award-winning film, Hive, which explores a mother’s persistence in an oppressed country.

3 Tips for Navigating Small Business Saturday 2021

What small business owners are saying about this year’s holiday season may surprise you.

10 Quotes for Empowering Women Business Owners

With the pandemic causing record numbers of women to launch or pivot, here is some leadership advice to put you in the ‘grit’ mindset.

She Wanted Independence And Financial Security

Justine Sellman is the CEO of Logic Recruiting, a UK-based digital recruitment agency.

7 Tough Times That Inspired Startups

Whether it’s burnout, a mental health crisis, cancer or divorce, these women have shown us how they turned their darkest moments into opportunities to chase their dreams.

MyKayla Skinner’s Lesson in Perseverance

A week ago, she was ‘heartbroken.’ Now she’s bringing home a surprise silver medal.

Loss Breeds Success, Wimbledon Runner-Up Karolina Pliskova Says

Yes, it’s disappointing. But the tennis star believes her recent defeat brings her closer to a Grand Slam title.

3 Tough Moments That Changed Me as an Entrepreneur

When you’re going through a challenge, remember: There’s an “other side.”

Our Favorite Stories of 2020, as Picked by The Story Exchange Staff

As we close out an annus horribilis, we look back on the stories that provided a much-needed distraction.

In a Year That Was Totally Backwards, These 10 Women Pushed Us Forward

A year of firsts, a year of leadership, a year of overcoming grief and loss. A year of women in the headlines.

She’s Helping Women Create The Life They Want – Just Like She Did

Meredith Richardson started The Midlife Coach after a traumatic event forced her to rebuild her own life.

Leave New York? These Women Business Owners Say Fuhggedaboutit

This motley crew of female business owners has stayed true to their city — even amid a pandemic and cries that New York is ‘dead.’

These Life Coaches Know How to Pivot During a Crisis — Here’s Their Advice

Katie DePaola and Liv Chapman, founders of Inner Glow Circle, relate some best — and positive — practices for businesses during uncertain times.

She Found Purpose Again After A Life Changing Accident

Amy Searle creates colorful decorative objects through her online store Rainbow Poochy.

She is Continuing Her Personal and Professional Journey by Enabling Others to Continue Theirs

Menaca Pothalingham is a survivor of the Sri Lankan Civil War who works coaching others in resiliency.

1 Lesson Women Entrepreneurs Can Learn From That Less-Than-Perfect Disney+ Debut

Mistakes happen – as mass media giant Disney learned when its new streaming service experienced significant technical difficulties on its first day. If they can rise above it, so can you.

She’s Overcome Tough Situations and Now She’s Helping Other Women Do The Same

Gwedolen Wilder works as a business strategist to counsel and inspire women to be their own role models.

3 Lessons in Reclaiming Your Power from Monica Lewinsky

Post-political scandal, Monica Lewinsky has established herself as an activist, public speaker – and now, an “American Crime Story” television producer.

Thanks, Tiger Woods – We Love a Good Comeback Story. Here Are 5 More

The embattled golfer won his fifth Masters, after years of struggling. His return to glory reminded us of several women entrepreneurs who overcame incredible odds and found success.

Stacey Abrams Just Showed How to Turn Losing Into Winning

It’s true – you can’t win ‘em all. But political rising star Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost her campaign for Georgia governor last year, is showing us how to bounce back from failure.

She Knows How Tough Life Can Be. Now, She’s Helping Other Women Overcome Their Personal Struggles

Vanessa Rende learned powerful life lessons after a painful divorce and domestic abuse. As a coach, she is helping other women do the same.

She Escaped an Abusive Relationship and Built a Thriving Business

Jennifer Glodnick started Diva Slimming and Aesthetics Centre after finding her independence

Ep.15: A $20 Million Comeback Story

How Angelica Garcia-Dunn went from struggling to feed her kids to building a booming Texas-sized trucking company.

Circling Back: Deborah Olivo is a Survivor

The founder and owner of Vida Aire finds the inner strength to keep her business alive through the challenge of severe illness.

Ep.12: A Winemaker’s Pleasure and Pain

Delia Viader may make “liquid cashmere,” but it took more than fine wine to restore her winery after a devastating setback.

Finding a Good Life in Pools and Parking Lots

Kryshon Bratton left childhood misfortune behind and built a family business one opportunity at a time.

Podcast Transcript

Felena Hanson: I broke about 27 bones in my arms, legs and face.  And, boy, what a great wake-up call, to really give you some perspective on life. Colleen DeBaise: Welcome to The Story Exchange, featuring the stories and strategies of entrepreneurial women around the world. I’m Colleen DeBaise, an editor at The Story Exchange, … Continued

How Billionaire Sara Blakely Refused to Let Rejection Stop Her

Author Gillian Zoe Segal speaks to the Spanx inventor (and billionaire) about turning the word “failure” on its head.

Bouncing Back From Failure

Beginning again when your first entrepreneurial endeavor goes under.

The Flip Side of Fearlessness

In our continuing series with the New York Times, we look at what happens when you take a chance — and something goes wrong.

Strength Is Harnessed Through Struggle

In life, challenging times are often opportunities to learn and grow, says serial entrepreneur Jen Groover.

Inspiration Short: Trust in Your Idea

Computer forensics entrepreneur Alison Chung offers words of support.

When People Tell Me My Ideas Are Crazy….

Serial entrepreneur Jen Groover shares a memorable quote that gets her through tough work days.

Helping Women Survivors of War

Zainab Salbi talks to Claudia Chan about how an image of rape camps led her to start Women for Women International.

Learning to Be Resilient

When bad things happen, why do some people persevere while others remain stuck? Life coach Ann Mehl shares four key factors that help people bounce back from adversity.

Creating a Billion Dollar Dream

Latina trailblazer Nina Vaca resurrected her failing tech company and turned it into a major industry player.