Here's to the Female Founders!
Here’s to the Female Founders!
See it, Feel it, Believe it
It was back in February when Ben from StoryJar and I walked in to the amazing Holly and Co workshop – wall adorned with rosettes of inspiring female founders. This was the perfect spot to film my #BackherBusiness film – against a backdrop of female role models – inspirational stories – visible for everyone to see.
Visibility is vital. Why? Because you can’t be what you can’t see!
Back Her Business
The Back Her Business initiative attracted me not just because of funding, but because of all the other stuff that comes with being a women trying to start a business. Launched off the back of the Alison Rose Review on Female Entrepreneurship , the scheme highlights three main barriers;
1. FUNDING - lack of financial structures that the bank has found to support women
2. IMPOSTER SYNDROME- a feeling of self-doubt, where an individual will question their accomplishments and believe that they are not as competent as others The research shows 60% of women said they couldn’t start one due to factors such as a lack of confidence, not feeling like they were that kind of person or feeling they wouldn’t deserve to succeed despite their skills.
3. CARING – they identified women spend 60% more time than men on family care and 46% of women interviewed said this was a “very important” or “important” barrier.
Like most female founders I definitely feel impacted by all three of things (some days overwhelmingly so); can I afford to do this? do I feel brave enough? and how the hell will I find the time with two kids? A friend recently said to me when starting her business ‘I’ve been subconsciously working on this my entire life - bit by bit I have picked up the skills. I am now looking back on my life going ah ha! - this is what is was all for. Has all just clicked’.
Planning, timing, finances, resources are all important things - but sometimes instinct, opportunity and following your heart are the ‘real’ give you a kick - game changers!
“I am now looking back on my life going ah ha! - this is what is was all for. Has all just clicked’. ”
Women Supporting Women
A driving force for me has been the support of other women; inspiring with the ‘you can do it’s’, the role modelling, the stories of failure and success. Bingeing on ‘Desert Island discs’ tales of courage and adversity is like homework for me (Billie Jean King, Tracey Emin, Yoko Ono, Maya Angelou, Alex Crawford) and seeing people in REAL life – dreaming it, trying it, working it, making it.
Holly Tucker especially (I am a total fan girl) has been a massive inspiration to me – from a chance meeting in her café when buying a print (ironically about starting a small business) to her inviting me to The Congregation of Inspiration. Her energy, SOS instagram support, cheerleading on small businesses up and down the country is a huge boost to any founder.
Now I am on my way I want to help other parents – other women realise their dreams, whatever they may be! Finance IS a barrier.. a strange one we are sometimes embarrassed or ashamed to mention – especially now as the Covid-19 brings new pressures to the bank balance. However with the Rose report showing that ‘if women started businesses at the same rate as men, it would add £250bn to the UK economy’ we need to start breaking that barrier down – owning it and closing the gender gap that has got so huge.
So with my coaching hat on – here are my actions;
1. Support ME – why not you’ve got through this blog – let’s act on it – Pledge, support, share to help me empower others. Visit My Crowdfunding page
2. Have a go or tell someone about the #backherbusiness scheme – go through your phonebook and there will be at least one women you know with a dream!
Here’s to the Female Founders!