CHAPTER 9•WOMEN BUILDING MANAGEMENT TEAMS 195
At the same time, we were behind in our product launch
and the sources of money and partnerships just did not
pan out. I had to fire Jim, then come back to lead the busi-
ness as we negotiated new sources of financing. I went to
some of our customers, large technology firms, called col-
leagues in local CEO groups, and contacted other women
executives. Through my network, we were able to secure
investment financing through another large women-led
firm, and one of our strategic partners.
In this story, even though Wallace had started and successfully
managed the venture, her investors still felt she could not take her busi-
ness to the next level, because she did not have strong connections in
the financial networks. ...