Some advice for women entrepreneurs, by women entrepreneurs
Being an entrepreneur is never a piece of cake. With every second startup failing, there is a good chance that you are not going to be successful, you are going to be faced with many problems and questions which you cannot possibly answer and somehow it will seem like the universe is crashing and burning on you. All of this becomes a lot tougher when the aspiring entrepreneur is a woman. Somehow, they are not particularly looked at as entrepreneurs, technologists and effective leaders. If you’re an aspiring woman entrepreneur who wants to make it big, here’s some advice that will hopefully encourage you to follow your passions!
Don’t let others decide for you
“Nobody talks about entrepreneurship as survival, but that’s exactly what it is and what nurtures creative thinking. Running that first shop taught me, business is not financial science; it’s about trading: buying and selling.” – Anita Roddick, Founder of The Body Shop.
“Your business idea just doesn’t seem feasible!” So many aspiring women entrepreneurs have that heard from self-proclaimed successful businessmen time and again, and often enough, women entrepreneurs around the world have proven them wrong. A lot of women often face rejection when they try to convince anyone about their business ideas. Even if they somehow manage to convince them, they are often advised to get into a partnership with a trusted male friend or a male family member who supposedly knows the game better. This can lead to an onset of negative feelings and self-doubt, and before long, many women drop their plans before they even begin.
Seven out of ten people will tell you how difficult it is to survive in the ‘big, competitive world of entrepreneurship’ and how women ‘have greater chances of failure.’ By avoiding such people, you get a major obstacle out of the way. Be around those who can help and guide you in the best possible manner. Learn from people who are successful and understand the kind of struggles they have gone through. This will help you figure out what you should and shouldn’t be doing when starting your own business.
Stay inspired and motivated
“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” – Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx.
As a woman entrepreneur, you need to keep looking for ideas that inspire you to keep moving ahead. A lack of experience can only be a weakness if you allow it to be one. There are many ‘mompreneurs’ who have no B-school degrees or real job experience but turned out to be highly successful in their businesses. If you have enough passion for your business idea, nothing can stop you from turning it into a successful venture. Identify your weaknesses and start working on getting them out of the way. With the right amount of patience and perseverance, you’ll soon be able to bridge the gap between your experience and your expectations.
While you cannot ignore your family and work, never ignore your health
“The glass ceiling that once limited a woman’s career path has paved a new road towards business ownership where women can utilize their sharp business acumen while building strong family ties.” – Erica Nicole, Founder and CEO of YFS Magazine
Entrepreneurship is all about self-discipline, and women entrepreneurs are often known for their meticulous display this trait. For entrepreneurs, weekdays have grown more stressful and challenging, and if you have a family to take care of, they might seem even longer. Sadly, for most working women, health often takes a backseat. In the long run, this becomes one of the reasons why they quit their work. Fitness routines can help you find a natural rhythm and keep you physically and mentally fit. Physically fit individuals are able to focus on their work better than others. Running half an hour on a treadmill or taking a long walk once a day can clear your head and help you reclaim your energy.
Entrepreneurship comes naturally to people who have the capacity, energy and passion for what they believe in, and this holds true irrespective of what gender they belong to. If you have a life-turning idea up your sleeve, there is nothing that can stop you from being a successful entrepreneur. Along the way, family challenges and societal pressure might force you to pull back sometimes, but in the end, all it takes to succeed is the right amount of determination and focus towards your goals. Believe in yourself first if you want to make others believe in you.