It’s a Woman’s Business

Over the past thirty years, women have taken on a wide variety of professions; many have started their own businesses. The 2001 U.S. Census Bureau report reported that there were 5.4 million women-owned businesses in the United States. Many women are turning kitchen tables and basements into business offices. Some are even out playing with the “Big Boys.” Why are so many women in business? What makes them so successful?

In the 1880s, women virtually never worked outside their homes, and would not even win the right to vote for another thirty years. While women worked outside the home throughout the twentieth century, by the 1970s a metamorphosis had taken place, and men in the business world were now joined by women. Women had long desired the opportunity to achieve financial independence, as well as create and fulfill their own dreams and expectations. As time evolved, changes took place in the workforce and more economic opportunities were created for women; over time their lives began improving.

On July 3, 1986, people from around the world came to celebrate the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. Like the restoration of the Statue of Liberty, women were also being renewed and reestablished. Their personal and professional needs were being addressed and they were making their mark in the historically male-dominated business world. The complexities of juggling a family, career and self-employment were especially appealing to women. However, studies found that in the workplace, women still only earned about 72% of the salaries earned by their male counterparts had to work twice as hard to be considered half as good as their male colleagues. Not only that, but women were (and in some cases still are) likely to be overlooked for promotions to senior levels within a company. Women desired to be their own boss and dictate their own lifestyle and work hours. The rules of the game gradually changed from women simply participating in the workforce to empowered women everywhere starting and growing their own successful businesses.

Women naturally seem to be able to network, multitask, and delegate—all contributing factors to making them so successful. Women run their businesses well because they have a lot of practice with listening, collaborating, and passion. Their ambition, work ethic and courage have also contributed to their successes in the workplace. However, women’s journey to the top has not been easy. From early childhood, many girls are taught that their well-being and ultimate success is contingent upon acting in certain stereotypical ways, such as being soft-spoken and compliant. Other women find they are criticized by men and women alike for their self-assured behavior. When women go out of their traditionally defined boundaries of behavior, they get accused of trying to act like a man. To avoid being judged and berated it is often easier to behave in socially acceptable ways, but many women have overcome these stereotypes and learned behaviors. For those who refuse to live a limited life just for the expectations of others, I say, “You go, girl!”

Today, women realize they have choices; they do not have to act in ways they were taught. Gone are the days of “Sugar and Spice and everything nice.” More women are coming into roles as entrepreneurs and are acting more like the women they are than the girls they were taught to be in childhood. I personally measure my own effectiveness through the successes of working women as Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks and so many others like them who found there were no doors of opportunities for women and decided to create them, to make knocking on those doors easier for women like you and me.