We have come a long way from being barefoot and pregnant to
owning our own businesses!!
Gone are the days where women were "seen" and not "heard." Gone are the days where women took a back seat to life.
Women are now CEO's of fortune 500 companies, Owners of businesses both large and small and there is no stopping them!
Let's take a look at a few that CNN Money (2010) writes about:
Carol Bartz, President and CEO of Yahoo.
Safra Catz, President of Oracle
Irene Rosenfeld, Chairman and CEO of Kraft foods
Pamela Patsley, Chairman and CEO of Moneygram International
Whoever said that women were the weakest sex has never met a woman who knows what she wants and goes after it. After all, women, for the most part, still take care of everything at home (unless of course you have Carol Bartz annual income in 2009 of 47.5 MILLION dollars).
Today women are venturing out and opening their own businesses. Why? Some would say because they can't make as much as their male counterpart. Some would say that the way a woman's mind works will make a business successful because they are able to see outside the box. Some would say that women are tougher business partners than men because of their shrewd business sense...maybe that is because women are used to hearing excusing from their children and can spot an excuse a mile away.
Whether it is starting up a "work from home" type of business like Avon, Mary Kay, etc. or opening up a brick and mortar business.....women are taking control of their lives and running very successful businesses!!
One thing that has helped women with owning their own businesses are networking groups. Yes, there are some groups that have men and there are some men who join them but for the most part these groups are ran by women and the majority of members are women....why? Because women know what women know. If a woman needs her hair done all she has to do is ask one of her female friends...and she will have "the best hairdresser" in the neighborhood. Don't like your insurance company? Ask a woman...she'll tell you who her's is and that they are the best! Women will share information and love to refer others to professionals they trust. This is why networking groups work and why the especially work for women owned businesses. Share and share alike.
I have learned about many networking groups and although they may all "seem the same" I assure you that they are as different as sprite and coke. Although the are both considered "pops" or soda if you are from the south...that is where the similarities stop.
There are women only networking groups. Again, if you put a group of women together you will find out who the best mechanic is, the best Doctor, the best Attorney, the best hairdresser, the best waiter at the best restaurant.....you get the idea. Now these women are referring each other out...what a great idea!!!!
There are many networking groups out there and they all have something to offer each business. Find the one that works for you!
If you are a woman and live in Southern Colorado take a look at Pueblo Business Women. Many great women, many great events and this one may be just the one for you.
Like their Facebook page to learn about all the upcoming events that is sponsored by this group!
