pitals. The work is exacting, the hours are long and the responsibility
is heavy. But any girl who thinks of going into business for herself should
know at once that all these conditions are true of every independent
business that is worth while.

The business woman requires a precise technical and financial knowledge of
the business which she means to enter, and she needs as well originality,
a fund of ideas, courage, initiative, imagination, that feeling of capacity
for responsibility and enterprise which is like love of adventure,
judgment, nerve and character. She should not be too excitable and yet she
ought to be keen. She should not be easily disturbed and she ought to be a
steady worker. Above all, she requires to be able to deal with people, both
customers and employees.

Instances of women who have been successful in business enterprises may be
quoted which do not seem to conform to the requirements specified. But if
they are examined, these instances will show that the women in question
have fulfilled the conditions of success almost exactly as described.
A woman has succeeded, for instance, in managing her own country inn.
She was in a totally different employment before she started this
successful enterprise. But she had already bought, built on, and sold with
a margin of profit, three or four other properties. She had learned how to
buy land to advantage in the neighbourhood of a city. She bought her
present property, choosing a few acres which were already in fruit or in
use for growing vegetables. There was an attractive, large, old-fashioned
farm house on the premises, the property was near a railway station and
situated on a road constantly used by motorists. Other enterprises of the
same kind were studied by her. The food provided was made a specialty.
Every expense which could be lessened in connection with the property was
considered. A flock of poultry was kept. The fruit was either sold or put
down for winter use in the inn.

In almost every instance the successful woman of business enters on her
new enterprise in a small way. A girl begins by making and delivering
lunches to the staff of a large office building. Later she adds other
buildings to her list. She sells cakes, sandwiches and preserves from her
own home. Having saved some capital, she embarks on a down-town tea room.
Every detail of her business is planned as it expands and the management
is entirely in her own hands. The successful m