Is it harder to be a woman or a man in the world of entrepreneurship? That’s the question we investigate in the October 2013 issue of Be Inkandescent magazine.

Researcher Ruta Aidis, PhD, offers insights. An expert in entrepreneurship and corporate governance, Aidis has been an assistant professor at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at University College London. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, Institute of Social Studies (in the Netherlands), and she completed her PhD in 2003 at the University of Amsterdam.

In the years since, Dr. Aidis has studied gender differences and entrepreneurship, most recently publishing an important project sponsored by Dell on empowering women in technology and business.

“Female entrepreneurship is a key driver of a country’s prosperity,” insists Allison Dew, VP of Global Brand & End User Computing Integrated Marketing at Dell.

“By creating the conditions for women entrepreneurs to flourish, countries are investing in their national well-being and competitiveness. Yet many women founders struggle to access the capital, technology, networks, and knowledge that they need to start and grow their business.” Scroll down for more.

Also in this issue, women are leading the way:

• Sandra Boynton’s new CD/book combo, “Frog Trouble,” will make you want to sing. Don’t miss our interview with the award-winning author, who is our October Artist of the Month.

• Erica Ariel Fox grants us a podcast interview about her new bestselling book, “Winning From Within” on the Inkandescent Radio Network.

• Amy Elizabeth Fox provides insight into the executive leadership firm serving the Fortune 100 that she and sister Erica created, Mobius Executive Leadership, in our Truly Amazing Women column.

• Carol Kinsey Goman, our newest Inkandescent Speaker offers insights into one of her popular keynote speeches: 12 Body Language Tips for Career Success.

• And that’s just for starters. Of course, men are rocking this issue, too. Certified Financial Planner Howard Pressman provides a checklist of things to remember before making a big move. And financial advisor Sheldon Weiner offers seven do’s and don’ts for taking money out of your retirement accounts when you retire or change jobs.

We leave you with this parting thought from “What Queen Esther Knew,” our October 2013 Book of the Month: “Marching in place no longer cuts it,” explain authors Connie Glaser and Barbara Smalley. “You gotta shake things up a bit and make a few new waves. And, like Queen Esther, you must be willing to take a leap of faith. Only then can you discover your true destiny.”

Here’s to your rising star shining bright! — Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher, Be Inkandescent • Illustrations by Michael Gibbs