Entrepreneurial Girl Power
The women entrepreneurs behind some of America’s fastest-growing private companies open up about what it takes to succeed in industries once dominated by men.Where have all the women gone? That’s the question that may be on your mind after browsing through company profiles on this year’s Inc. 5,000 list. While the number of women-owned businesses has been growing at two times the rate of businesses owned by men for the past few decades, women CEOs make up little more than 10 percent of the Inc. 5,000. These findings are indicative of a larger trend — namely, while women run a lot of businesses, few are growing them beyond the $1 million mark.
For the entire article go to Inc.com
Corra has its share of female small business owners. Most are savvy, and, as the article notes, most are smaller businesses. Our female clients will request background checks, and with some we can tell by the frequency of their orders how well their businesses are going.
For anyone it is a struggle out there. But we know women who persevere and grow their businesses if not to exalted heights, then certainly to levels where they are able to earn nice, steady revenue. And then there are women who have created major enterprises with worldwide branding and revenue in the seven and eight figure range. We remember when Whole Foods Market was Mrs. Gooch’s market. And yes, there was a real Mrs. Gooch.
Most of our female clients are surprised when we encourage them to conduct corporate research on any potential clients or venture partners where they lack little direct contact or knowledge. We encourage them to run business credit reports and Comprehensive partner searches because they are cost effective and can save a lot in money and grief. We remind some clients that, regrettably, there are business people out there who will take advantage of them because, frankly, they are “just a girl.”
There are guys who will try to bulldoze them or cut their legs out from under them. There are guys who must show they are top dog or who rather than be fair go to the limits in cutting the best deal from someone they believe is overeager or even desperate for the business. Corra has its own feelings about such practices, but we will reserve them for a longer diatribe.
So if you are female and have your own business, and if you do need background checks or corporate research, then call Corra. We will treat you right. We will tell you what you need, what you don’t need. And you know, we love to answer the phone.
Check them out before you hire.
