Did you know that Women Entrepreneurs Rock?
If you said YES, great! If you are still unsure, maybe these statistics will change your mind?
Women own 10.6 million businesses in the United States. They employ 19.1 million workers and their businesses account for $2.5 trillion in sales.
There are exciting things happening inside the world of women entrepreneurs. Women are now the dominant force in small business ownership, and they are succeeding in industries that were once taboo for women. Women are not only starting businesses, but they are also staying in business. Between 1997 and 2006 businesses that are fully women-owned, or majority-owned by women, growing at nearly twice the rate of all U.S. firms.
You may be thinking that I am partial because I am a woman, but I have worked with countless women entrepreneurs and they are extraordinary. This is nothing against the great male leaders of our time, but hey, it’s time or women to shine!
Why do women make extraordinary entrepreneurs?
1. Women possess strong communication skills and social intelligence. This creates rock-solid collaboration. It’s no secret that women enjoy a slight edge over their male counterparts in the communication realm. Hey, we have that gab thing down! A stronger network means they have a wider reach for the success of their venture. By leveraging their connections, they don’t have to continue to re-invent the wheel. Women have worked well together since the earliest female enterprises, whether they were dividing grains in the village or working in quilting bees.
2. They have a higher purpose in their business. Wealth is generally not their primary focus because they have a higher purpose that is driving them. Their work is often born out of their passion and true- calling. When you are passionate about your business, you will be more likely to give it the energy and effort it needs to succeed. Then the strong financial growth becomes a natural outpouring of this.
3. Women make great listeners. One study found that the collective intelligence of a group rose if the group included more women. They have open minds. And to give clients and employees what they want, you have to be a good listener.
4. Women can easily tap into their intuition and gut-instinct. To succeed in business you must do your due diligence, but ultimately it is a big plus to have a strong intuition and be able to follow your gut. Women have this sixth sense (a mother’s instinct) so they can often get an inkling whether one path is better to follow than another.
5. Females aren’t afraid to ask for help. Many men (not all) have difficulty asking for help when it comes to something like their very own business. (They won’t ask for directions!) Pride can get in the way. But most women don’t have a problem admitting that they’re not sure how to accomplish a certain task or what needs to be done next in the building-a-business game. They understand that asking for help is not a weakness, but takes strength and gets them where they want to go so much faster and easier.
6. Women make strong leaders. They are committed to putting other people’s needs before their own. So they are warriors on the frontlines, devoted to their teams and helping other women become strong leaders.
It is exciting to see women creating their own abundance and expressing their creativity. Not only is this giving women a sense of achievement and helping to support their families and their lives, but these powerful women are also making a phenomenal impact on our economy and our world.