Here Are The Top 5 Challenges Facing Women Entrepreneurs Today
Women business owners have traditionally struggled to attract the necessary startup capital as well as ongoing funds to assist in the growth of their businesses. Accessing venture capital especially has been difficult for women.
To get to the top isn’t a piece of cake, to get to the top with eyes on the price entails a lot of work and networking, if possible. We all giggle about the joys of being a she-boss, but it comes with a lot of pain.
There are those moments of doubts, pains, tears…every female entrepreneur can relate to this. Let’s go ahead and discuss the down side to this journey.
Sexual Harassment I could not help but have this top on the list. Over time, I have formed the habit of praying before heading into any office that has a male figure as a head. I remember writing a proposal to a company to sponsor one of my events and I got the naughtiest answer I have ever heard. I was going to get anything I wanted unless I “submit”. You know what I mean.
I have also been privileged to be with a lot of female entrepreneurs and this happens to be a major problem for them. So many women fall for this and the others walk away, clueless about what to do next. Dreams fade and a lot of things are compromised. It’s actually painful wearing a nice dress, having nice hair, well scented perfume, and the heels… especially if you have to board a bus. Think about the time and energy, the hope…only for you to get there and the music isn’t in your favour. but why?
Weary Self Confidence Lots of women get tired easily because of all they have gone through. Staying motivated for them becomes an issue. In a community where you are faced with lots of challenges, thinking of how to conquer and so much more…
keeping one’s self confidence can be hard. Being a woman in this part of the world is tough, especially because we are seen as weaker vessels. It takes a conscious effort to build one’s self-confidence and maintain it.
The way you speak, the way you walk, the way you dress starts to mean a lot. To stand against all odds, you have to make a conscious effort.
Another thing that can disturb one’s self confidence is money. How? Either when you are asking for it or trying to make it, there are questions that just flash “Is this worth it? Can I do this? Will this succeed?” These questions pop up even when you are still wearing your ninja look. It’s becomes disturbing because you don’t want to be seen as another failure waiting to happen.
Lack of Support Every female entrepreneur can connect with this in one way or the other. Sometimes, your family wants you to take another career path. Sometimes, they feel giving you money for your business is a waste of time. Other times, they feel you should just go and get married. Sometimes, you yearn for someone to just say “Thank you for trying” but it isn’t coming and doesn’t look like it will. This is always disheartening. I feel the support should always be there even if the business fails or not.
Asides family, do you know you can have a strong support system? You can do this by networking and making friends with people who share the same interest with you. I can’t even begin to say the awesome advantages you will get from this even in your business. If you are a female entrepreneur or an aspiring one, you will find this hangout useful. Thank me later!
Marital Issues Is this supposed to be a pain? Lots of women have given up their dreams because of family and other marital related issues. There is not much to be said here. Let’s just let the married women say their bit. If you are a married woman going through a lot in your business because of family, you should try to reach out.
For the single ladies, sometimes maintaining a relationship can take so much effort especially when you are trying to focus on work. Sometimes, we don’t even know the real ones and we unconsciously build walls around us. These little things build up and becomes an issue before you know it.
Health Issues Female entrepreneurs work day and night to see their dreams come true and in doing that they forget to do little things like drinking water, sleeping early, exercising, meditating etc. This turns into health issues and they struggle with it for a while.
“If you don’t take care of yourself now that you are alive. Who will take care of the business when you are down or gone? Taking care of your mental being and your health is simply doing yourself, your family, your business, and generations a favour”.
