Women have made significant progress since the days of suffrage. Today, women not only have the right to vote, but also play a vital role in the economy. In addition to holding high-power positions, females have taken the entrepreneurial world by storm. In fact, an average of 1200 businesses are started by women entrepreneurs each day, an increase of 740 more per day than last year. (Click to Tweet) And, this trend shows no signs of slowing down! The growth pace of women-owned businesses exceeds the national average.
What sets women entrepreneurs apart from their male counterparts? Simply put, a desire for better work/family balance. As the price of living has increased over the years, so has the need for women to work outside of the home. It’s nearly impossible for families to thrive financially on one income these days. That presents a huge problem for many women who are born nurturers.
For this reason, more women than ever are creating their own enterprises and seeking ways to either work from home or be in charge of their own schedules so that they can still devote 100 percent of themselves to their families.
If you’re in business for yourself, check out these five tips for succeeding as an entrepreneur:
- Don’t Be Afraid to Dream BIG – If you have a dream, don’t limit yourself. With more than 9.1 million U.S. firms owned by women and $1.4 trillion in sales from these firms, nothing is impossible. If other women are doing it, so can you. The first step toward success is to open your mind to the possibilities. Don’t limit your dream.
- Never Stop Believing in Yourself – This is a big one. Going into business for yourself is not easy; no one’s saying it is. In fact, the opposite is true. But a common phrase comes to mind when thinking about women entrepreneurs: Anything worth having is worth working for. You have what it takes to achieve your dream. Tell yourself this every day.
- Seek Trusted Support – With the number of women entrepreneurs increasing daily, there’s no shortage of support. Some of these very entrepreneurs, like the founders of In Good Company and Passion Planner, have even built their businesses with the goal of helping others. It’s crucial to your success that you seek guidance from trusted advisors who can help manage and achieve your goals.
- Get Educated on Entrepreneurship – Although you’ve managed a team in “another life,” entrepreneurship is different. Being an owner of a business is a different ball game, which requires a unique market outlook. Read educational materials, talk to other successful women entrepreneurs, and seek answers to any specific questions.
- Don’t Give Up on Your Dream – Failure is a natural part of life, and entrepreneurship is no exception. It’s challenging – but not impossible – to manage business and family. That’s what makes success even sweeter. Women in business often need to be tougher than men, but they combine that toughness with a sense of femininity and respect. Just keep on keeping on.
No matter your goals, remember – lots of women are making their dreams a reality. There’s no reason for you not to join the ranks of the successful woman entrepreneur.
