We are pleased to introduce another mover and shaker, Ja-Naé Duane. Creating a business practically from scratch, she is now sharing her wisdom and tips in her new book, “How to Start Your Business with $100″. Multi-talented, perservering and defeating the odds, Ja-Naé has reached for the stars and has made her dreams a reality. Connect with Ja-Naé on twitter or on her site. Enjoy the interview!
Hometown: West Haven, CT
Current Residence: Boston, MA
Education: BA, Northeastern University and New England Conservatory; MA, Carnegie Mellon University; AD Boston University
Professional Background: Entrepreneurial and Social Media Strategist, Creative Economist, CEO of Wild Women Entrepreneurs; CEO of Ja-Nae Duane Ventures; Professor of Music at Northeastern University; Professional Opera Singer
What you wanted to be when you grew up: Actress
What you are: A Renaissance Woman. 
Brief Summary of your Start Up: I noticed that men and women networked differently; That women needed to build trust before doing business with someone. I also noticed that women didn’t know where to find the resources that they need both professionally and personally. So, I approached three other women and asked them to help me. With that, Wild Women Entrepreneurs was started with $100. It is now the largest community of entrepreneurial women in the world with 55 chapters in 7 countries.
That is what my book, “How to Start Your Business with $100” is about. How to take a dream and turn it into a reality with little or no money.
Company Website? http://www.Ja-Nae.net
What inspired you? Creativity and Positivity
How long have you been in business? Which one?
How did you fund it? Less than $100
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I make it a point to learn something from everyone I meet on a daily basis.
Current Business Challenge? The same challenge I have always had and will always have: Finding more innovative ways to help people be free to live the life they’ve always wanted.
What are you doing about it? Thinking outside of the box and doing a ton of social advocacy (If you know of more partnering organizations and businesses, please let me know).
Favorite motivational quote: “Be the Change You Wish to See in the World”-Ghandi
Family? No. Not yet. Because of my mother’s alcoholism and drug abuse, I had to raise my siblings from the age of 13. So, for today, I am enjoying my childhood now.
Favorite book? The Alchemist.
What do you do to relax? Go into nature.
What do you want to change most about your world? My location. I feel a change coming on and am excited to see where life is about to take me.
What are you most proud of? The fact that people were afraid that I would never amount to anything because of my home life growing up. I’m now here to show people that you do not have to be trapped or be a product of your environment. You can overcome any obstacle that comes your way.
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Stop trying to do everything yourself. Figure out what you do well and then delegate everything else out. Once I learned this lesson, I started making the money I deserved to make and had the freedom to do other things that I had been dying to spend time on.
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? My team.
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Hmmm…..Too bad I couldn’t make a tiara of stars. Think of the amount I would save on my electricity bill.
Thank you so much for the interview. I love what you ladies are doing and we absolutely need to work together to support our community as a whole.
Thank you for the support and the love!
.-= Ja-Nae´s last blog ..Leaders, Ask “What If?” =-.