Working from Home
Minding her own businessWomen are leading the charge -- the female entrepreneurial bustle is booming. More and more women are leaving careers and starting up their own businesses... JOANNE RICHARD |
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 [ 2006-05-31 ] |
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Women are taking charge
Photographer: Jack Hollingsworth/ Photodisc Green/GettyImages
Women are leading the charge -- the female entrepreneurial bustle is booming. More and more women are leaving careers and starting up their own businesses; "they're actually outpacing male entrepreneurs," by seven to one, says networking queen Mandie Crawford.
By 2010, one million Canadian women will own a small business, reports a CIBC economic report, Women Entrepreneurs: Leading The Charge. There's been a 50% increase in the number of women setting up their own businesses in the past 15 years.
Crawford, 45, left the streets to call her own shots. The former police officer of eight years launched roaringwomen.com, which specializes in helping women build and grow their business through promoting, networking and training.
"Many women leaving their careers are doing it for personal reasons -- mostly to accommodate their family lives and achieve personal goals. Many have hit the glass ceiling and there's nowhere to go."
With four children of her own, Crawford found juggling family and work overwhelming. She wanted rewarding employment she could build around her family.
Crawford found many women stumbling across a career path they just can't ignore: "They find something they're passionate about -- they see a need and they go out and fill it," says Crawford, also a speaker, author and trainer.
Women are leaving the workforce at twice the rate of men: "The world is becoming better for it because we are setting up our own businesses with our own rules. We are setting up businesses that will offer the service and products that we have wanted from others for years."
The health and service industries are popular. "Women understand how women buy. Women are responsible for making over 80% of the purchases in the home."
According to Crawford, building a solid base is essential. "But it's a Catch 22 -- they want to learn and grow their business properly, but there's little out there to assist them with training and acquiring funds."
The non-profit Roaring Women Education Fund was created to give female entrepreneurs financial assistance for business, professional and personal skills education, and this year's fundraising efforts include a golf tournament on June 8 at the Century Pines Golf Club in Flamborough. Call 905-634-9291or visit rwedfund.com.
Meanwhile, meet some women who have gone out on their own:
Would you ever work for a social or charitable enterprise in the third sector?