Are you an entrepreneur at heart who is ready to leap into self-employment? There are several ways to get money to start your own business – especially if you’re a female entrepreneur who believes in herself!

Here’s financial and life inspiration from Suze Orman:

“In all realms of life it takes courage to stretch your limits, express your power, and fulfill your potential. It’s no different in the financial realm.”

You need courage to be an entrepreneur – and you need to believe in yourself! For more info on starting your own business, read about the Small Business Start-Up Kit. And read on for several ways to transition into self-employment as a business woman…

How to Get Money to Start Your Business – Suze Orman

Be open to creative business and financial possibilities! In How Hobbies Become Money Making Careers, I describe ten hobbyists who turned their joys (and opportunities) into their businesses. They became female entrepreneurs almost by accident, because they were open-minded – and they love it. Not all of them share how they found the money to start their businesses, but if you want me to contact them, just let me know in the comments section below. I’d be happy to write an article called “Money Tips From Female Entrepreneurs.”

Work part-time, be self-employed part-time. When I first started freelance writing, I worked part-time in an office. I soon realized that the more time and energy I put into writing, the more it paid off – so I decided to take the leap into full-time self-employment as a home-based writer. This is a great way to earn money to start your own business – working part-time – because it’s practically risk-free.

Invest your savings in your business. If you have a couple thousand (or a few thousand!) dollars saved up, then investing your own money in your business makes sense. If you’re a saver, it doesn’t take long to build (or rebuild) capital. If you’re a spender, read . If you own your home, you could consider remortgaging it…or selling it altogether.

Apply for a small business loan. Before you apply for a loan, make sure you have a business profile, business plan, personal and business financial statements, and proof of collateral. If you’re applying for a loan to start your own business, you’ll also need to know your credit rating. Plus, you should have some of your own equity invested in your business (eg, money, property, equipment, etc.).

Ask your friends or family to invest in your business. You can alleviate the awkwardness of asking friends or family by following certain standards for lending money to friends or family members. If you’re asking friends or family members for capital for your startup, then you need to be as professional, businesslike, and organized as you would if you were applying for a small business loan. And, make sure everything is in writing.

Use your credit card or personal line of credit. To me, this is a risky way to get money to start your business, but…entrepreneurs are known to take risks! Think this through very carefully before you start using your credit card to finance your small business. Most credit cards charge high interest rates, and you have to pay your bill whether your business is successful or not.

Play the stock market? This is another risky way to get money to start your business! If you’re considering investing money to make money, make sure you’re prepared to lose it all. Some investors make good money playing the market – though the economy can make or break your investment. Short-term high-risk investments aren’t necessarily the best way to finance your venture into female entrepreneurship…but it is something to think about.

No matter which combination of methods you use to become self-employed, take this financial advice from Suze Orman:

“It’s better to do nothing with your money than something you don’t understand.”

Don’t invest your money into anything you find confusing, unsettling, or risky. Make sure you research all your options thoroughly — whether you’re getting a bank loan or using your own savings to start your business. You might also consider investing in a business financial advisor.

For more tips on how to get money to start your business, read How to Attract Money When You’re Starting Over.