Karen Burns Working Girl
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Name: Karen Burns, Working Girl
Hometown: I’ve lived in too many places to have a hometown!
Current Residence (City, State): Kirkland, WA
Education: BA in poli sci from ASU
Professional Background (brief, please): I’ve had 59 jobs. Only got fired from one.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: writer
What you are: writer and artist!
Brief Summary of your Start Up: I design personalized notecards. I’m also writing a book, “Working Girl: 59 Ways to Love Your Job,†which will come out in Spring 2009 from Running Press.
Company Website? www.karenburnsworkinggirl.com
What inspired you? A class in Seattle on humor writing.
How long have you been in business? 2 years
How did you fund it? With my own money—it wasn’t much.
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I have tons of lovely friends who provide not only support but wonderful advice.
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Yeah, I belong to eWomen Network. I’ve sold thousands of cards through this group.
Current Business Challenge? Finding enough time to work on my book.
What are you doing about it? Well, I just broke down and hired a cleaning person!
Favorite motivational quote:Â When you row another person across the river, you get there yourself.
Family? Yup.
If so, how do you balance family and business? Fortunately, my husband is very understanding and my cat is not too much trouble.
Favorite book? An old English textbook from college called Sound and Sense. It has tons of wonderful poems.
What do you do to relax? Read, walk. (Not at the same time.)
What do you want to change most about your world? I would love to be one of those super-organized people whose house and office is always in perfect order and who can always find things right away.
What are you most proud of? That I am writing (and publishing) an illustrated book, and two years ago I didn’t even know how to draw!
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Don’t be surprised at some of the twists and turns your project will take you on. It’s an exciting adventure!
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? Well, I couldn’t live without my trusty laptop.
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? I like green stones. We redheads wear a lot of green. So, I guess, emeralds!
Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother to another woman entrepreneur? (I am working on a secure system to do this, any ideas?) Gosh, I don’t know. Can I wait until after I’ve got the book done?
What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in?  Very few. I am working on a wing and a prayer here!
Would you be interested in going to lunch with other women entrepreneurs for a “networking tea party� Sure.
