Celebrated every October,
National Women’s Small Business Month recognizes the contributions of women
entrepreneurs. Women play a significant role in our economy, with over 14
million women-owned businesses generating $2.7 trillion in sales in the U.S. The
month raises awareness about the unique challenges women face in business and
encourages support and empowerment in their economic growth.
What I tell every woman client
who comes to me for coaching is, “Don’t let anyone tell you no.”
Not only do I have my own stories
of “being told”, but I have witnessed the heartache of women clients being told
that they were not good enough, their products would never sell, and their
talents and skills weren’t up to par.
Sometimes, that might be true,
but doggone it, that can all be fixed! I’ve worked with many, and I LOVE when
the spark catches, and the fire ignites in these women. They are powerhouses!
I don’t know about you, but when
I was told to go sit down, the exact opposite happened, and I proved them all
wrong.
I am old enough to have lived
through the times when women’s ideas, talents, skills, and tenacity would never
get them a seat at the table. I had to fight all the way up the ladder.
Things that were said to me:
(some are pretty amusing!)
Women don’t hold that position in
this company. It’s only for men. Surprise!
I got the position.
We won’t pay you what the men in
your position get, double, because they have families to support. Surprise!
I went and found a company that paid me for the work I did. Leaving them
without a top exec.
You have the work ethic of a man!
(meant as a jab) Surprise Comeback! No, I have the work ethic of
Debra Lee. Their jaw dropped.
I don’t shake tall women’s hands.
(Short-statured district manager) Surprise! I won’t talk to you the rest of
the day, you are touring our store! I know, the silent treatment. Typical woman response. LOL!
Women don’t head up ministries. Surprise!
I did.
What are you doing? You can’t be
on that ladder! We don’t allow women on ladders. Surprise! I’ve been
climbing ladders all my life! Have you roofed a roof, or climbed up one to trim
a tree? If not, then step back.
Did you give up? (A boss who
fires EVERYONE and puts his business in total chaos) I hired and he fired over
75 people in six months. It didn’t take me long to figure out I would be fired,
too. Surprise response: You are not ready for someone like me, yet, as I
handed him my keys.
District manager sneaks behind my
back to have someone else fire me because he doesn’t like tall women.
(different company than above, but still a short man) Surprise! He got
fired, I was offered my job back (didn’t return, already had found a better
job), and he ended up working in his mother’s flower shop! LOL!!
Don’t get me started on the
sexual advances women had to endure during that time in history!
Throughout my career, people have
told me no, tried to silence me, and tried to keep me from opening businesses,
but I always found a workaround. I went over, under, or around the obstacle.
Women are the strongest human
beings on this planet, and we get things done. We are innovative, caring, and great problem
solvers. We know how to use our strengths and work through our weaknesses to
advance. We are cause generators; we lift others with us. We are creative and
inspiring. We are a force to be reckoned with.
I’m celebrating all of you this
month! Happy National Women’s Small Business Month!
Debra Lee | Biz & Life
Coach | Author | Keynote Speaker | Blogger
Books: “It Is What It Is…But It Wasn’t A Tragedy” | “Making
Wise Choices…the most important life skill to master”
#nationalwomenssmallbusinessmonth #womenbusiness #womenentrepreneaurs
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