Who Is That Shoeless Woman?

As a high school student, I discovered an interest in writing and page layout. Since this was in the early 80s, personal computers were still on the horizon. So these days, I describe my background as "doing paste-up when it still involved paste."

After graduation, I attended UW-Milwaukee and was working towards a Mass Communications degree with an emphasis in journalism. I enthusiastically accepted a position in the newsroom at the former Milwaukee Journal in 1985. Three years later, I left that job to be a stay-at-home mom to my new son, Jeff. While he was small, I worked on a number of short-term projects from home, as well as being active in neighborhood organizing efforts. There's nothing like being a block club captain to teach you a few things about cooperative decision making. and nothing like being a new mom to reinforce those lessons about letting go of control!
 

Owner Dana Kader Robb kicks off her shoes and gets down to business helping small business owners and non-profit associations to promote their efforts.

In 1994, I founded Mind Your Business. I knew that I enjoyed assisting small business owners by making their work easier and helping them look good for their clients. And I knew that I never, ever wanted to have a "real" job again. No more 9-5, no more office politics, no more answering to a boss. Turns out I hadn't learnt that giving-up-control lesson as well as I thought I had!

I am the owner and sole proprietor of the company, which specializes in desktop publishing and marketing communications for micro-businesses and small non-profits. That doesn't mean we won't work with "the big guys." But it does mean that we've developed methods and resources to help us bring together the very best professionals and ideas specifically targeted to the needs - and budgets - of small business.

We've been very fortunate, and have been featured in many publications including USA Today, Success Magazine, Business Start Ups Magazine, Small Business Times, The Business Journal, Metro Parent Magazine and on a variety of Web sites. Additionally, we've been honored with wonderful awards recognizing our commitment to the small-business community, including:

• 2001 Home-Based Business Advocate of the Year for the Midwest Region from the U.S. Small Business Administration

• 2001 Home-Based Business Advocate of the Year for Wisconsin from the U.S. Small Business Administration

• 1999 Marketmaker Award for Excellence in Marketing from the American Marketing Association-Milwaukee Chapter

• 1998 President's Award for significant contributions to the Milwaukee Chapter of Wisconsin Women Entrepreneurs

I'm a Past President of the National Association of Women Business Owners-Greater Milwaukee chapter. I don't know where my business would be without the amazing, supportive, successful women I've met through my involvement in that organization. Check them out and attend a meeting in your area. I promise you'll make at least one useful connection!

I've also served as a consultant to potential small business owners through Wisconsin Women Business Initiative Corporation, Alverno College Business Department and The WAGE Project (We Are Girl Entrepreneurs). I have a sort of "feed me, I'm yours" policy. Buy me lunch and I'll let you pick my brain about pretty much anything!