The Sweet Life

Rachel Thebault went from investment banker to baker. By living her passion she’s enjoying a very sweet life.

For those who’ve acquired an education and built a career in a specialized field, making a major change can be unsettling—especially if you’re uncertain as to what the change should be. Rachel Thebault knows the feeling. After majoring in economics and working for Merrill Lynch and Bank of America as an investment banker, the long hours and hectic travel schedule had Thebault rethinking her career choice. “It didn’t allow me to have a lot of my own time outside the job,” she says. Read more

Home-Grown and Nationally Known

A Colorado mom learns tricks of the trade as a small-business owner.

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It Pays to Shop Around

Health insurance is a must. Here’s how to get the best deal on the right plan for you.

Medical expenses can add up quickly. In fact, health-related costs are a leading cause of bankruptcy in America today. That makes adequate health insurance a must. But health insurance can be a tricky thing for entrepreneurs. Without the benefit of an employer-sponsored plan, self-employed individuals are left to fend for their own health insurance needs. That dilemma alone is often a major obstacle for people who want to take the plunge into business ownership. On the other side of the equation are small-business owners searching for affordable benefits so they can attract and retain quality people. Read more

Save Money Enjoying an Evening with Friends

Dinner out is, well… out. Throw a fun, inexpensive dinner party instead.

The doorbell rings, and a smile sweeps across your face. Music is playing, candles are flickering, the table is set and your home smells wonderful. You open the door to let your friends in, relaxed and ready to enjoy a delicious dinner and an evening of fun.

OK, so maybe you haven’t thrown a dinner party in years. (Does watching Food Network in your sweat pants count?) But even if your life is consumed by a busy schedule, throwing a fabulous dinner party can be a reality. Read more

Hometown Heroes

At a time when money seems to be in short supply, Jenny Jones is giving $1 million away — for the second time.

The former talk show host says success isn’t about money, but about individuals doing what they’re meant to do. “To me, success means being fulfilled, but that doesn’t mean financially,” Jones says. “You can be struggling financially but still feel fulfilled because you are doing something good — something that matters.” Read more

See a Need. Do a Good Deed.

To those who think you can’t have it all, woman entrepreneur Kim Lim says, “Watch me.”

As a single mother, owner of two businesses and recipient of three academic degrees, Lim has had her hands full during the past few years. But following painful divorce, and with the creation of two new and starkly different career paths, Lim forges ahead. She says today, she’s doing everything she’s wanted in life, all at the same time. Read more

Stepping into the Boss’s Shoes

Women entrepreneurs share tips for starting and growing a successful business.

For the past 20 years, women-owned businesses have enjoyed great success, growing at twice the rate of all U.S.-based firms. But according to a study released in April 2008 by the Kauffman Foundation, women are starting new businesses at half the rate of men. With all the benefits of being the boss, and the significant success rate of female business owners, what’s keeping some women from taking the entrepreneurial plunge? Read more