What can be more empowering that watching your own female friend beat the odds? Watch work her entrepreneurial butt off and reap the rewards! If she can do it, so can you.
What are the benefits of joining such a group? Women appear to have the best ones.
Women’s Entrepreneurial Groups
‘There’s a Special Place in Hell for Women Who Don’t Support Other Women’
Or so said Madeleine Albright (or Taylor Swift quoting Albright). Whatever your gender, it is a daunting task to strike out on your own in the business world. Surrounding yourself with peers who are in the same boat as you, can be enormously beneficial – even if you just need to moan about how to apply for bank business finance? Or snarky customers, or the fact that you are so tired from working so hard trying to get your business off the ground.
This was the impetus which spawned Jane L’s and Gen George’s women’s business group, Like Minded Bitches Drinking Wine (LMB). LMB is exactly what it says on the tin: an informal community of current and aspiring female entrepreneurs who celebrate each other’s successes. They commiserate over setbacks, and share tips and advice on how to grow – preferably over a glass of wine, or champagne.
In the world of entrepreneurial groups, there are more formal options other than (LMB). Although, their informal style tends to generate even more contacts when networking as their events are more like parties with friends. Their Facebook page is loaded with new start-ups sharing their businesses. As well as fun memes to brighten the members’ day, queries, and advice. It’s a safe space for women who don’t mind being bold, as long as they – in the immortal words of Tina Fey ‘get sh*t done’.
No Better Place to Get Information
Networking and educating yourself on new business norms is a never ending process in the business world, . To succeed, you need to put yourself and your business out there. And, one of the best ways to educate yourself on women in business is to see it for yourself at a conference.
Conferences are a fantastic networking opportunity no matter what business you’re in; plus, you never know when you could come across a product that fits perfectly with your own to create a wonderful collaboration. The business version of the cronut, if you will. Check out the Run The World conference hosted by the League of Extraordinary Women. This annual conference is coming into its six year – 2017’s focus is on women in tech industry.
The founders four say that:
‘As four young female entrepreneurs, we decided we wanted to change the world by encouraging others to turn their dreams into reality.’
In 2012 they launched their first Run the World conference to an audience of 50 aspiring female entrepreneurs. It was Australia’s first ever all female, one day entrepreneurship conference.
Today, after tremendous organic growth, their community has expanded to North America as well as throughout Australia.
Improving Entrepreneurial Gender Diversity
Women want women to succeed in business, hence all the groups. Attitudes are shifting, more and more women are moving into managerial roles. Women are more likely than men to begin a start-up. Whatever kind of business woman you are? There is a group for you to help you grow your network beyond the contacts you make on LinkedIn. Whether you’re an Ausmumpreneur looking to balance life and work, or a lawyer looking for contacts. If you are a Womensentrepreneur there is a networking group for you and every kind of business woman.
Unfortunately, there is a trend showing that female start-ups often find it more difficult than their male counterparts to secure financing for their business. Even though international evidence shows that businesses led by entrepreneurial women which embrace diversity achieve better results. They have proved to be thrifty and use their resources very creatively, they are seen as more innovative, creative and earn better bottom lines.
In fact, female-led companies drive three times the returns of companies predominantly led by men. What’s more, female CEO’s are leading the push for inclusive leadership. They create companies where all staff can thrive and drive innovation.
As WGEA director, Libby Lyons, said “If we are serious about being an innovation nation, we need to start improving gender diversity in industries that will be growth areas in the years to come.”
