"Figure out what you do best, then accept it, and develop it—not with pride but with a sense of sacred responsibility.”

-- Lisa Starcher Collins

Mix together equal parts of compassion, love of family, a plucky spirit, keen social responsibility, quick wit and a high energy level and you might come close to percolating the brew that makes Lisa unforgettable as a woman of wisdom.

Recently, Lisa started a successful home-based company, Charity Match, which develops partnerships between charities and businesses who share the goal of improving their communities.

Why is Lisa so committed to nonprofit development? “Every time I do something purely for profit or for my own benefit, I get selfishness and negativity back. But when I look first to see how I can use my talents to help people or groups who have a hard time accessing what comes easily for me, everything falls into place. It feels like magic, but it’s not -that’s just how life works.”

Lisa’s wisdom for other women wanting to follow their dreams? “Figure out what you do best, then accept it and develop it - not with pride, but with a sense of sacred responsibility.” She also encourages women considering the entrepreneurial path to work and rework their business plans and to anticipate challenges by talking with others who are successfully self-employed.

Quick to attribute all success to team work, Lisa says “It helps that I have a husband and best friend who pretty much believes I can do anything I say I’m going to do. He challenges me in a way no one else does, and supports me 100 percent!”

Some would say Lisa’s personal life has been daunting at times. Several years ago, for example, out of the blue she suffered 6 strokes over a 24-hour period, spent 12 days in the hospital and a number of months fighting her way to a full recovery. “But I feel like the luckiest person alive. I listed what I was thankful for, and what I would do differently if I came out unscathed…and boy did I make some changes!”

Sign up for FREE monthly tips and resources. New Women's Creativity Retreat and Psychotherapy Training coming in Fall 2008 AT PEACE WITH LIFE e-book is ready for download!