Entrepreneurship is a tough goal to pursue. This explains why few people (most often men), dare wade into starting new business ventures. However, in the last few years, the paradigm has shifted, and women are now taking over the small business sector. In fact, according to Global Entrepreneurship Monitor’s (GEM) research, female entrepreneurs have increased by 15% since 2007, while men have only managed a 5% entrepreneurship increase. The data shows that women strive to take over the business world. So here are five ways that will help every female entrepreneur succeed:
1. Find the right mentors.
Women have always seemed submissive on many fronts, especially in family life. Many women are always ready to listen and learn, which fortunately, easily translates into business success. As a woman, the best way to make it in any business is to seek guidance from other successful entrepreneurs.
Mentorship can be a formal program or can simply involve friends’ and acquaintances’ advice. With a good mentor, a female entrepreneur can receive guidance, advice, and tips that can help her juggle between her family responsibilities and entrepreneurial dreams.
2. Join a professional organization for women.
Women have long been synonymous with gender-based professional organizations. In this regard, joining a professional organization that specifically focuses on empowering women in business through small business funding, emotional and legal support can benefit female entrepreneurs. If she joins an organization within her business niche, an entrepreneurial woman can gain access to powerful resources for success in launching a company. Some of the notable organizations that a women entrepreneur can join include the following:
- National Association of Professional Women (NAPW)
- National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
- International Association of Women (IAW)
3. Balance work, family, and life.
Women are indubitably good homemakers, but their aspirations extend far beyond their families. Because women need space to enjoy their lives away from family responsibilities, balancing running a business and raising a family can be challenging. However, women can succeed in entrepreneurship when they strike a balance between their entrepreneurial dreams and their personal relationships with family and friends. Designating time for both work and enjoyment can help women in business make the most out of every facet of their lives.
4. Develop self-belief and confidence.
Despite the strides we’ve made, society still doubts women in business because our culture believes that business is men’s work. However, the top women entrepreneurs are successful because they refused to listen to their naysayers.
If you are a woman in business, do not let others drag you down just because of your gender. When you develop confidence, others will believe in you, and investors will even be willing to fund your business dreams. Remember that the most successful women have the self-belief to get back up when they fail or when no one believes in their dreams.
5. Passion pays off.
In business, capital and access to resources means nothing if the founder isn’t passionate about her work. Luckily, many women are passionate by nature and will not begin a business unless they are truly attached to its potential. If you are a female entrepreneur, your passion will help you attract and retain potential clients, which will ultimately pave the way for your success in business.
The time for women entrepreneurs to rise and change the business world is now. Women naturally run families and can easily transfer their leadership expertise to business. Women are using their skills and smarts to become a force to be reckoned with in the entrepreneurship world. There’s no doubt that women are the future of entrepreneurship, and when they follow these tips, they will become the top business leaders.
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