Celebrating women’s achievements on International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year theme is #PressforProgress.

The day is celebrated and supported globally by industry, governments, educational institutions, community groups, professional associations, women’s networks, charities and non-profit bodies, the media and more.

As a woman and business owner, I would like to see IWD as a day not to ask for women’s equality, but to celebrate women’s achievements and provide support to women willing to succeed.

Today I would like to support the movement by showing how women are contributing to businesses and how you can also do more about it.

Business Women in the world

As per the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2017-12018, globally, the ratio of female to male participation in the early-stage entrepreneurial activity is up by 6% comparing the same set of countries which participated in the GEM survey in both 2016 and 2017.

Highest rates are in Latin America and the Caribbean: 17 women engaged in early-stage entrepreneurship for every 20 male entrepreneurs, while the lowest is Europe with 6 women for every 10. In North America, the rate is 12.8%

Particularly in Texas, as per the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:

• Texas currently boasts the second highest share of self-employed female workers.
• Women-owned businesses in the Houston Metropolitan area generate over $40 billion in annual revenue year over year.
• Women-owned businesses account for more than 30% of all businesses in the Houston area.
• More than 25% of firms with $1 million or more in annual revenue are owned and operated by women.

Entrepreneur women reflect greater optimism about the future of the country’s economy and their own companies compared to men. Women are more interested in social related tasks, they are better at working in multidisciplinary teams, they handle multiple variables at the same time and they are perseverant and decisive. Women and man have different styles, but by complementing them with multi-gender teams, better long-term results are achieved.

Since I came to the US I have been meeting lots of professional women, both American and Hispanic. I have realized how similar we are, and how valuable. Nevertheless, we still need to work a lot together to prove it to ourselves. I don’t want to believe there is a gender disparity (by the way there is also a Men’s day on November 19), I want to believe our success is up to us, and we can do something about it, but we have to do it together.

How can we as women do better at business?

• Communicating clearly our expectations to men, being coworkers, supervisors or event our husbands. What we want, why and how we can make it happen. Sometimes men only want to help us, they are used to take care of us, but that doesn’t mean we cannot offer to work, drive or pay.
• Providing win-win solutions or ideas to continue being effective at work while our family tasks are being met as well, like flex time options, online meetings, private rooms for breastfeeding, clear objectives
• Organizing networks that empower women. In Beaumont Texas we have developed the Hispanic Women Network SETX to grow through networks of collaboration and empowerment for professional development.
• Participating in networking events. The Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has organized the Annual Women’s Leadership Conference
• Helping other women in identifying their skills and potential, and making a profitable business out of them. You may be interested in checking my #FirstMonday Coaching sessions.
• Buying from other women you know their products or services
• Getting Certified as a women-owned business, it may help you get set up as a vendor in major firms. The national certification requires women to be US citizen http://www.wbenc.org/certification/, but if you are in Texas you can get certified by the Texas certification Directory ttp://www.texascertificationdirectory.org/woman.php
• Sharing this article, a picture or a quote you like about women, including the #PressforProgress theme or check the following links for more information.

More links:

• Texas Women in Business
• Hispanic Women Network SETX
• Black Women in Business
• Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)
• Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC)
• National Association of Women in Construction
• National Association of Women in Real Estate Businesses (NAWRB)
• National Association of Women’s Business Owners (NAWBO)
• S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce (USWCC)
• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
• Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)
• Women’s Presidents’ Organization (WPO)
• League of United Latin American Women’s Conference
• Latin American Association
• Mexican-American Opportunity Foundation Women’s Forum
• International women’s day

Collectively every person can make a difference within our sphere of influence. IWD is not a country, group or organization specific. If you are women, go for your dreams, don’t settle!  Make IWD your day, every day. Good luck!

If you would to get coaching for your own business or participate in networking events in the area, please feel free to contact me: luciana@biztorming.com