It all starts with you—and your dreams. That’s what got you thinking about owning your own business in the first place. You want to do it right. You want to make a difference. You want to call the shots. And you’re not alone. Women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men (maybe more), leaving corporate jobs because of inflexibility, frustration with the good old boys’ club and the glass ceiling, lack of creativity in the workplace and pure boredom.

Mary Kay is one of my favorite success stories.

Frustrated with the way she had been treated in a male-dominated world, a retired Mary Kay Ash used her life savings of $5,000 to launch a cosmetics company in 1963. Initially, she had only nine independent beauty consultants and a 500-square-foot store in Dallas, but she was equipped with a plan—and a passion. During her 25-year career, she had taken notes about both the good and the bad principles of business that she encountered. Much of what she learned from previous employers became the backbone of her business. For Mary Kay, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, it wasn’t too late to go for it—and she was determined to make it work. Mary Kay passed away in 2001, but her company continues to empower women today.

Get started now! Visit RealYouIncorporated.com for more inspirational stories of women who have followed their entrepreneurial dreams—and made them real.