Women in entrepreneurship

Have you stopped to think that women in entrepreneurship have a positive impact on society, and are essential to moving the country's economy and creating jobs?

19 November is world women's entrepreneurship day, a date marked with the aim of promoting women's leadership and the visibility of the women who run a business. Even so, women pass through environments that are less welcoming.

Afraid to start a business?

Many women are afraid to put their plan into action. Prejudice is often one of the factors behind giving up. Women today specialise more and more. Many women dedicate themselves hard and manage to become successful entrepreneurs.

Here is a list of the names of 7 women who are successful entrepreneurs:

• Luiza Helena Trajano of Magazine Luiza
• Leila Velez and Zica Assis of Beleza Natural
• Sônia Hess of Dudalina
• Alcione Albanesi of FLC
• Janete Vaz and Sandra Costa of Laboratório Sabin

7 women entrepreneurs, 7 stories of overcoming, resilience and success. They are examples to follow, because even with obstacles they persisted and today they inspire.

"Entrepreneurship, for me, is making things happen, whatever the circumstances, the opinions or the statistics. It is daring, doing it differently, taking risks, believing in your ideal and in your mission." Luiza Helena Trajano

Women in entrepreneurship

A great deal changed because of the pandemic. Many women had to give up their careers, because companies closed down, or simply to respect the social distancing required at that moment.

Their dedication is always divided between home, work and children. For many it was not easy to manage all of that, above all giving up their own dreams.

According to economia uol, almost 10 million entrepreneurs had to close their businesses in Brazil in 2020, affected mainly by the coronavirus pandemic. Women were the most affected by the crisis: the number of established women entrepreneurs alone fell 62% from 2019 to 2020, a much larger drop than the one among men (35%).

Women in entrepreneurship and the challenges

In an interview with G1, Sandra Nalli, founder of the Escola do Mecânico created in 2011, managed to double in size with her own network alongside franchises, offering courses in mechanics and in workshop management, and she says:

"The company exists to democratise access to technical and vocational education in the field of mechanics, and in that way generate more employment and income", Sandra explains.

Even so, prejudice was present throughout Sandra's career, as an employee and later as the owner of the company.

"Many students would arrive and, when I went to serve them, they would ask to speak to a man. I always tried to explain that I had practical knowledge of mechanics and could clear up any question", she says.

She explains that to have a good business plan you need to set fear aside.

So even in the middle of difficulty, women have shown themselves resilient and capable of reaching their objectives.

And women do not stop there. In search of strength and connection, the AME Christmas gathering included a business matchmaking event and the Bolsa Mulher project. It took place in December with the large Christmas gathering organised by the Association of Women Entrepreneurs (AME). The event was held in Framingham, Massachusetts, and women entrepreneurs attended for a business matchmaking event. It is a special gathering for women entrepreneurs, both those who already have their own business and those who want to start one.

To succeed you have to genuinely love what you do. Otherwise, taking only the rational side into account, you simply give up. That is what happens to most people.

Steve Jobs

Conclusion

Women's entrepreneurship has been gaining strength. Facing daily obstacles but widening their networks, women entrepreneurs win their place and, with the support of other women entrepreneurs, overcome the challenges and come out on top.

So, have you thought about organising your own business matchmaking event for the women entrepreneurs in your region? It will be a great success and will strengthen women's entrepreneurship.

Share it with the women entrepreneurs you know.