I am a fighter. I divorced two husbands before finding my soulmate husband and best friend, Ken Nyberg.

 I've raised my daughter as a single parent. I've been on food stamps and got help from friends and family. Rent was hard for me sometimes and the car seemed to always be broke down!

 I have been "risking" everything since 1983, when I threw off the corporate suit, put on my tennis shoes and went into business for myself! There have been "moments" of thrill and "moments" of tears...all in all, I have found something in me that represents every gray hair in my head...MYSELF! 

I'd like to take a few minutes of your time to tell you a little story about surviving. And, I hope it will help you stay motivated and push you a little closer to success.

In the past 25 years, I've tried my hand in babysitting, garage sales, horse trading, executive recruiting, raising show dogs, telemarketing, computer, teaching business school...and now, developing and maintaining the FoD website. The hours have been long, the pay sometimes "building your reputation" and, if I was sometimes lucky, I might get paid for services rendered in a timely manner. 

I've actually stolen personality traits from women I've admired and inherited strong points from generations of women before me. Sometimes all that hard work didn't get me a penny. And, it wasn't always fair. Sometimes people cheated me and when I complained they said, "that's business baby" and I learned the hard way not to do that again!

 I have never been able to live up to the "woman who did it all" title. My children have had their mother working at home all the time they were growing up. They've answered the phone, stuffed envelopes and licked stamps, folded clothes, fed the farm/ranch critters and hoped right along with me that there would be a check in the mail today. We've all helped "bring in the bacon." Mom was wearing several hats...that's all. 

But, the bottom line, is that I continue to fight welfare, stay independent and form a strong network where I can survive. That makes me successful. That makes me proud of me. That makes me have the strength to believe in myself and not quit.

 I might not die a rich woman with lots of dollars in the bank but I will die a woman with self-esteem and proof that welfare doesn't work...I do!

 You can do it too. Work with other women in business who won't give up. Gather your army of strong and independent people who believe in you as much as you do yourself. Get a helping hand up, not arms that carry you. 

Good luck with your business and give yourself a great big hug because you deserve everything good and loving!

Deb Nyberg, Webmistress