Women who mean business - Happy International Women’s Day
The number of women in self-employment is increasing and Ealing has some growing vibrant networks of women in business and women starting out in business.
According to the Women’s Budget Group 2016, “self-employed women are the majority of the newly self-employed. The increase in the number of women in the UK becoming self-employed is unprecedented. Women are innovating on a rapid scale and we are showing no signs of slowing down".
You only have to turn up to any of the networking events in Ealing and you will encounter the many new ideas, products and concepts being birthed into the World by those that you meet. But the challenge remains the same, despite the scope for success and the potential we are seeing from women all around, we know that the amount of women in the world today who are starting and scaling businesses still remains much lower than men, and the challenges that hold us back seem to be a mix of “not having access to the networks, funding and primary care responsibilities”, prowess.org.uk.
I have been attending networking events for some time now and the one thing I have learnt is to never underestimate the power of having a network. Having a network is a key factor to success because people need to know who you are and what you do, even if it’s to be able to say “I know someone who can help (or needs help) with that”. I don’t necessarily expect to get a direct sale from a networking event, in fact I would not recommend ever turning up with that expectation, but I learn something new every time I attend one and I am always inspired by the women that I meet. Nine times out of ten, another woman, usually has a significant piece of information or a contact that is key to the next steps that I need to take in my business. I nailed the perfect email introduction recently, thanks to someone who I met at a networking event who was able to “e-introduce” me over an email, to another promising connection.
Since having discovered networks, success in business for me has most certainly changed for the better, so if you are self-employed or thinking about becoming self-employed I encourage you to find a network. Eventbrite is a great place to search for networking groups, just select the areas you are willing to travel to and type something like “networking events” In Ealing you have:
- The Gaia Network (women only)
- The Athena Network (women only)
- Ealing Business Buddies
I have personally attended all three and they are all great with very unique qualities, I am one of the founders of The Gaia Network so do come and say hello if you find yourself there one day.
* Did you know men get retweeted and followed twice as much as women? To support a woman whose work you admire or who you know is building her own business, why not give her a follow, retweet or share on one of her posts..(I am not suggesting you limit this form of support to International Women's Day.)
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