Rieva Lesonsky

Rieva Lesonsky is the president and CEO of GrowBiz Media, a content creation company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship, and the blog SmallBusinessCurrents.com.

She is a nationally-known speaker, best-selling author, and authority on entrepreneurship and has covered the industry for more than 30 years. 

She also writes blogs, articles, and ebooks for several websites and magazines and consults with and produces content for corporations targeting entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Tell us about your life before the venture/ leading up to your venture?

I grew up in New York, went to journalism school in Missouri, and for most of my career, I was the Editorial Director of Entrepreneur magazine. My first job was at Doubleday, a book publishing company in NYC.

Tell us something about your organization. What is it about and how is it helpful for people?

We write and publish content that helps people start and grow their own small businesses.

What has been the response of the consumers towards your venture?

It’s been quite positive. I have received numerous awards, both before and after I started my company. I’ve been awarded a “Champion of Small Business” award by the ASBDC and received the prestigious Lou Campanelli award from SCORE. I am a long-time member of the Business Journalists Hall of Fame.

How has your life changed because of your venture?

I work longer hours, but enjoy it more. I like being in charge of my life business and my partner and I are able to have more freedom to do what we think is best and not answer to bosses who aren’t as smart as they think they are.My

Give a motivational message for the audience/women who are reading this.

My motto motivates me every day: If you believe, and if you persist–all things are possible.