Why aren't there more women entrepreneurs?

[JMelillo Coaching]

I'm curious on what everyone's thoughts are.

Just as women are beginning to outnumber men in higher education, I'm expecting more women to become entrepreneurs in the future as well.

http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2008/04/23/ ... epreneurs/

"In 2008 Forbes magazine counted 99 women billionaires, 16 more than last year. That represented slightly less than 9% of the world’s 1,125 billionaires. Even more disturbing: Only 10 of them were self-made. They include Oprah, J.K. Rowling and Meg Whitman.

All of which begs the question: why aren’t there more self-made women entrepreneurs?"

[abeja_reina_1989]

I think it may have to do with the fact that women don't think they are as capable as men. It also may be because women choose to stay home with their kids more than men do. Just a thought

[GT Bulmer]

While there have been many women entrepreneurs who have been quite successful, there remains some degree of discrimination and challenge for business women in some segments of our society.

However, success in business is possible for anybody, regardless of gender or background, if they have goals and unwavering determination. Just look at examples like Oprah, Mary Kay Ash, Jenny Craig, Martha Stewart and other inspiring women entrepreneurs.

Here is an Entrepreneur Forums post that highlights a Modeling the Masters video produced by our site host, Evan Carmichael:

Modeling the Masters video #2 - Mary Kay Ash

This video highlights Mary Kay's early challenges to break through gender barriers to follow her marketing dreams and achieve both personal and financial success. Mary Kay's story is inspirational, no matter what gender you are!

GT

[MichelleABeitzel]

All of which begs the question: why aren’t there more self-made women entrepreneurs?"

That's exactly it! "SELF" In my research, it all has to do with self. Yes, women make the choice to raise children, but women are multi-taskers by nature and I don't believe that is the main reason.

There is a shift occurring right now (you pointed out) where women are moving to the forefront. But we require a different set of tools. Women (not all, but most) operate through the whole picture, the "feel" of something, the beauty in the image of something, the putting together to make whole, and the timelessness of desire. All the while, running up against Self with each turn. There are no manuals that teach us to put brick "A" on top of brick "B" then ask yourself why you seem to get stuck each time with brick "C"? Gain perspective, stand on the other side of the bricks and resume building. Maybe it is just outside of the scope of business-building constructs to suggest that we, as women, need both the soft and the hard topics in order to become Self-Made.

Would it be too preposterous to suggest that such a combination would build a stronger, in it for the long-haul, kind of economy?

Who's to take the lead may be shifting, but the SOP is still based on the last guy in charge. We are an entirely different animal.

Now I know that there are certainly men who have built businesses this way, but not nearly at the level that would be and is being built by women if only there were more light shed.

I love this discussion and could go on and on. It is something that needs to be paid attention to and brought to the surface if we truly want to see more Self-Made Millionaire women leading.

Sincerely,
Michelle A. Beitzel
http://www.thesoulstrategist.com
http://www.my-success-circle.com

[Aggie]

I think that women generally like to work together in groups. Whether it is with family, friends or workmates women prefer a combined effort. This may cause them to be less likely to go it alone in business. So, what we need are groups of women to work together as entrepreneurs. Of course that may be easier said then done.

[MichelleJ]

Personally I am happy to work alone. But I do like to have a support group around somewhere that I can run ideas by or who are able to help when there is something that I don't fully understand.

MichelleJ

[mrsroadrunner]

My opinion on this (being a women, and being disabled), is;

Women in general like security. Women are the caretakers, in general.
In the work environment we are the one to have children. We are the ones who leave work to do this. We deal with a stigma that we are bad mothers if we work, but we are a bad mother if we do not work.

I feel there is no way a man could ever understand this. Sure they can try, and some do a good job of it, however they truly do not understand. How could they??

Being a entrepreneur is throwing cation to the wind. It takes believing in yourself. It takes a women who can have someone say no, put us down or just plan old negativity and for us to turn it around. Women who can do this are called names, while men in the business world are just expected to have a thick skin.

Studies show in the work environment that women are more apt to be bullies. Women are more apt to turn on each other. We expect more out of each other. Many women also use the work environment to socialize and to find a mate.

Men and women are not created equal. Once we understand this and take what we are and "run" with it; the better all of us will be. Women business owners, women entrepreneurs are still considered a minority. Since there are more women then men in this world, some day this will turn around. This too is why men need to protect themselves and keep us under some kind of control.

What bothers me to no end is when women give in to the mans world using sex as a selling tool. We need strong women leaders, not those who use their bodies as a step up.

This is just my opinion on this subject.

[GT Bulmer]

Hello, MrsRoadrunner:

And thank you for sharing your opinion and expressing it so well. Although I am male, I hear you. Even though inspiring woman entrepreneurs like Mary Kay Ash (forum topic viewtopic.php?f=11&t=5074) have made significant inroads into business, marketing and entrepreneurship in general, there still remains a certain resistance and a stigma to women in leadership roles.

I think the degree of that challenge is improving; there are some places where male leaders who have become a little more enlightened do show respect for women leaders, but there is still much room for improvement.

GT

[mrsroadrunner]

OH WOW, I get these in my email, how cool is that??

[SallyY]

I think times are changing. More and more women are choosing more high-profile careers, and starting new ventures. In the UK, there seems to be quite a lot of us that are taking the plunge.

I guess we'll have to wait and see

[GT Bulmer]

As more women venture into the realm of entrepreneurship, what qualities do you think they may bring that will give them an advantage, or at least strengthen their ability to succeed in the business of their choice?

GT

[SallyY]

As more women venture into the realm of entrepreneurship, what qualities do you think they may bring that will give them an advantage, or at least strengthen their ability to succeed in the business of their choice?

GT

Good question GT, although it may be hard one to answer. The Men v. Women debate will most likely go on for ever. However, I think that women may have a more structured approach to business. We already do it in our daily lives, (wake kids, bathe kids, feed kids, housework, shopping, daytime job, organize bills to be paid). That's not to say however that men do any of the former. These days its very common for couples to share responsibilities.

But I think what I'm getting at, is that women make good list builders, always checking things off one by one. I guess this is probably a silly example

[GT Bulmer]

Hello, Sally:

Hey, all examples are good. Any perspective we share helps others to broaden their understanding and views on a topic.

I guess we know that some of the roles between men and women have been crossing over in recent decades (or longer) and that some of the more defined characteristics that used to be gender-specific may no longer apply.

But I think I understand what you are saying about women traditionally being more structured or organized than men as a result of domestic responsibilities. Until recent times, women have traditionally been trained to "keep things organized at home" while the men went off to "build things." Tradition discouraged crossover between the roles, but modern society is successfully breaking down those barriers.

GT

[3900Saturdays]

With an increasing number of women opting for a 'career first, family later' approach I think we will see the rise of more female entrepreneurs. A woman who goes to uni, enters the corporate world and then decides to go it alone might be in her late twenties before she makes it 'big' in the business world - exactly the same time her biological clock starts ticking loudly. The pull between following a business dream and settling down to have a family often sees the former giving way to the latter.

Of course this is a generalisation but as the current gen Y'ers approach their 30's, I really believe there will be a big explosion on the scene of entrepreneurs of both genders, although hopefully many more female ones (me included) And the struggle for women to 'have it all' will always continue but I'm sure with more industrious ways of making sure we don't lose out on either front. Internet marketing and work from home options will contribute to this, enabling women to live their professional and personal lives in perfect ambience.

Here's to all us women trying to live 'the other dream' of truly having it all.

[GT Bulmer]

Hello, 3900Saturdays:

Very informative and insightful comment. Thanks for contributing to this discussion. The bottom line, as you have noted, is balance:

Internet marketing and work from home options will contribute to this, enabling women to live their professional and personal lives in perfect ambiance.

Balance is something we all seek to attain, both women and men entrepreneurs.

Here's to the success of women entrepreneurs everywhere!

GT