Yes, You Can Do This! How Women Start Up, Scale Up, and Build The Life They Want

Chapter 5You Might Have the Next Big Thing: Your Experiences Might Lead to Something Revolutionary

What you'll take away from this chapter:

In this chapter, we'll explore the ways in which you can be innovative. Innovation is sometimes misunderstood to be a single product. In reality, there are many opportunities for innovation and therefore businesses. In this section you'll learn about the different types of innovation, examples of women who have built successful companies based on innovative approaches, and questions you can consider to think more constructively about innovation.

We're All Potential Innovators

“I guess I've never considered myself a creative—but I have lots of ideas on improvements that could be made around this place.” Sitting on the playground bench, Sophie wrapped her hands around her knees.

“We sort of have this misconception that you have to be like Edison to be an innovative person, and that doesn't really hold up.” Carolyn, another mom from the neighborhood, rifled through a diaper bag as they talked. Carolyn was also a stay-at-home parent but always had a side project coming along. She had occasionally joined the meetings at Jill's house, but knew Sophie more closely from their experiences on the playground with kids.

“Right—exactly: I always feel like if I'm not coming up with the next personal computer, that I'm not really on to something. I've been so inspired by the meetings in our group to launch businesses, but I'm not really sure what's worth ...