In a male dominated industry, such as business and entrepreneurship, being a female can be a huge leap of faith. However, some may say success in this field is driven by hunger. Hunger to achieve the unconventional jobs, hunger to achieve that position society has told you for years and years you can’t have, hunger for the power that at some point has made you restrict yourself because it just wasn’t your place, hunger to prove someone wrong, and the hunger to excel not just for yourself but for the ones you love. That grit and perseverance can really pay off, if it is surrounded by the right ingredients. While we can’t control everything that surrounds us as women, there are a few steps we can take towards success. Here are some of the things I’ve learned about not just entrepreneurship but female entrepreneurship.
1. Believe in yourself
This may sound cliché but self assertion is one of the hardest things we undertake as female entrepreneurs. We are constantly seeking acceptance and reassurance from others, and we are bombarded with constant reminders of our imperfections and deficiencies. But the first step towards success is believing in yourself, you can’t (and frankly no one will) ask others to believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself. The thoughts of doubt, and especially FEAR have to leave your frame of mind. If you don’t see failure as an option, it will never play a role in your decision-making. Also, believe in the power of your femininity. YES! We do have a sixth sense; it is as real as a two-dollar bill, and you must use it!!
2. Don’t change yourself for others
It is easy to fit into a cookie cutter version of what society wants you to be, but you don’t have to. You should always strive to be yourself no matter what. While it is true that there is always room for improvement, you must do that; IMPROVE upon the perfectly imperfect person you already are but never change at the core. Don’t apologize for being you. If others don’t like it that will be their problem and if you are doing things right they will eventually either learn to accept you or cease to exist as part of your life.
3. Bring your hunger
No matter what you are doing, you should always do it to the best of your ability. That hunger must be present at all times and in everything you do. This constant mentality of competition will keep you focused and will help you bounce back from any set back. If you are constantly trying to reach for the moon, you are bound to grab a star or two along the way.
4. Dump the toxic influences
It is natural to seek human interaction and love, but there are always those people who will find a way to bring you down. Don’t tie yourself to those toxic people, just because you’ve known them your whole life, or because they know you very well, or because they are related to you. Feel free to walk away from the people who never have something positive to say or the ones who find fault in everything you do. These people add stress to your daily life. Instead surround yourself with positive go-getters like yourself. And on the flip side you will learn to become more positive and others will want to be around you.
5. Give yourself a break and focus on the positives
Don’t ever forget you are human and make mistakes. No one is expecting you to be perfect. Mistakes are bound to happen along the way, and the best thing to do is learn from them. Every mistake can be turned into a learning opportunity and the only way to survive this tough industry is to focus on the positives. Dust yourself off and keep going.
6. Don’t compare yourself to others
You are perfectly unique just the way you are and comparing yourself to others only decelerates your success. Not all paths are the same, therefore you can’t compare yourself to others, specially males. I’m not saying standards aren’t good, I am saying that those standards should be based upon your goals, starting points and personal experiences.
7. There is no such thing as balance
Everyone talks about balance, balance between school and work, responsibilities and a social life, etc. There is no such thing as balance; you really can have your cake and eat it too. This is why it is important to figure out what it is that matters and what it is that others think it matters. The truth in this matter is: if it is important to you, chances are it already has a spot in your schedule. If it doesn’t, then you don’t need to worry about making a spot for it. The right things will always find a way into your life and the schedule you have right in this moment is the right schedule for you and you only.
8. Don’t be afraid to embrace the “F word”
I never really consider myself a feminist. I like being taken out to dinner, I like it when a man opens the door for me, I love flowers, presents and demand chivalry in my relationships but that doesn’t mean I don’t want equal pay for equal work. This one I struggled with, but I feel it has merit. You don’t have to go to the extremes to procure the cause, if you believe in equal rights and equal opportunities you can call yourself a feminist. After all, the right man will feel exactly the same way.
9. Only date supportive partners
This can be very tricky. On the journey to success, especially as an entrepreneur, you will find yourself surrounded by like minded and equally driven males. Those personality traits and characteristics will seem appealing but if at any given point they become overwhelming and overshadowing, you must look for the exit. A partner is right if they are encouraging, supportive and even helpful in the execution of your crazy ideas. Remember you need a partner in crime not a boss, so if your significant other begins to take over your projects or making decisions for you and you start to feel like an employee instead of an equity partner, RUN!!
10. Help other women
It is very easy to forget other women along the way. Don’t fall into the stereotype of being catty and jealous, share what you have learned and help other women who are also hitting the ground just as hard as you. Remember that there is strength in numbers, the more we help each other the more of us will succeed, and the more we succeed the more impact we will have on our sisters and daughters’ future.
Being an entrepreneur is more than just starting a business; it is taking on a project that no one else believes in, it is leaping into faith to make a difference. If you pay really close attention, that is what being a female is all about. We search for resources to make things happen, we create second chances, we take on gender roles as needed, and we bring communities together. We are born entrepreneurs.