Alright, let’s dive into something that’s been on my mind lately—women in business. I mean, we’ve all heard the stats: women own less than 10% of all venture-backed companies, and the funding gap is ridiculous. But here’s the thing—women are killing it in entrepreneurship, and I want to celebrate that. Not just because it’s “inspiring” or “groundbreaking,” but because these women are rewriting the rules of what success looks like.
Let me start with a story. I met this woman, let’s call her Sarah, at a coffee shop a few months ago. She was sipping on a latte, scrolling through her phone, and looked like she was in the middle of a negotiation. Turns out, she’s the CEO of a tech startup that’s disrupting the way we manage personal finances. I asked her how she got started, and she told me about the countless late nights, the times she doubted herself, and the moments when she felt like giving up. But here she was, thriving. Her story wasn’t about overcoming obstacles—it was about embracing them as part of the journey.
Then there’s Emily, a friend of a friend, who started a sustainable fashion brand from her tiny apartment. She had zero background in fashion, but she saw a gap in the market for affordable, eco-friendly clothing. Now, her brand is stocked in boutiques across the country. What’s her secret? She told me it’s about being relentless. “You have to believe in your vision more than anyone else does,” she said. “And when people tell you it’s impossible, that’s when you double down.”
But let’s not forget about the challenges. I’ve heard from so many women who feel like they’re constantly proving themselves—whether it’s in meetings with male colleagues or when pitching to investors. One woman I interviewed, let’s call her Rachel, shared how she had to navigate the “old boys’ club” in her industry. “It’s exhausting,” she said. “But I’ve learned to use that energy to fuel my determination. I’m not here to fit in—I’m here to disrupt.”
And then there’s the issue of work-life balance. I’ve read articles and attended panels where women talk about “having it all,” but honestly, that phrase drives me up the wall. The reality is, no one has it all. These women are juggling careers, families, and personal lives, and it’s not easy. But they’re doing it anyway. They’re showing up, every single day, even when it feels impossible.
So, what’s the takeaway? Well, for one, we need to stop romanticizing the idea of the “perfect entrepreneur.” These women are human, with all the messiness and complexity that comes with it. But they’re also incredibly powerful, proving that success doesn’t have to look a certain way.
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this, it’s this: entrepreneurship isn’t just about making money. It’s about creating something meaningful, about leaving a mark on the world. And women are doing that in ways that are redefining what it means to be a leader.
So, next time you hear a story about a woman in business, don’t just see the success. See the struggle, the doubt, the late nights, and the moments of pure grit that got her there. And if you’re a woman thinking about starting your own business, remember this: you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start.