Empowering Women in Business

2024 marks my tenth year in business, and today, on International Women’s Day, I celebrate my journey to get here.

Women in Business Statistics

Statistically speaking, getting to this point in business is an achievement in itself, with 60% of businesses in Australia failing within the first three years and 20% failing within the first year.

According to the Economic S4W and Femeconomy discussion paper available at https://theruralwoman.com/how-women-owned-businesses-impact-womens-economic-security/, the number of women in business has increased by 46% over the past two decades, with women now owning and running 34.8% of all Australian businesses. 

The ABS Profile of Women-Owned Businesses (2015) shows that:

• 47% of women business operators had dependent children in their household
• 31% lived in regional Australia
• 47% worked from home (in 2015 before COVID, showing the flexibility of women-run businesses)
• 52% of women business operators did voluntary work for an organisation or group
• 33% were born overseas
• 0.6% were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander owned
• 12% had a disability

The first four bullet points relate directly to my experience as a female business owner. I am a proud Gladstone resident born and bred in Central Queensland, a mum and step-mum to five kids, I started my business at home with a baby by my side and set my business up so that I could work from home around my family’s needs. I volunteer with the school P&C, the local rural fire brigade and am currently the President of the Gladstone Chamber of Commerce & Industry. 

My Experience as a Woman in Business

The ABS Profile of Women-Owned Businesses (2015) says, “The women business owner is at the centre of a network of various relationships that include family, community, and business. When a woman starts or acquires her own business, in her view, she is not creating/acquiring a separate economic entity; rather, she is integrating a new system of business-related relationships into her life.”

I have found that this is especially true for myself. Starting, establishing and growing my business has been a life experience, not just a career progression. When I came up with the tagline “Small Business, Big Life”, it defined what I was trying to accomplish. My business journey doesn’t end with my clients and employees; it spreads into my relationships with my family and friends and the communities I am part of.

I believe that collaboration, above competition, is the key to making the journey successful for everyone. I do this by sharing knowledge and insight where I can by working as part of a team with our clients, making sure that we are working with, not against, their accountants, and sharing and acknowledging the inspiring work of others. 

The most crucial aspect for me has been the flexibility to balance work and family commitments. It is a core value of mine to prioritise family, which is reflected in our work culture. I also encourage my clients to follow this principle, by helping them take control of their business through understanding their financial information and helping streamline their systems to give them some time back.

Inspiring Inclusion

This year’s International Women’s Day theme of #inspireinclusion opened up how I am continuing to promote the empowerment of women, including:

• Economic empowerment – by working with our clients to understand the financial side of their business,
• Recruiting, retaining and developing female talent – by fostering a work environment that allows flexibility around family and mentoring and training in our field,
• Supporting women and girls in leadership, decision-making and business – by being an example of a business leader, collaborating with committees and stakeholders, and mentoring others in their business needs.

You can find more information on how you can #inspireinclusion here https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme

At Small Biz HQ, we believe in women in business and the significant contributions that we make. Small business leads to great opportunity and is part of a bigger life. Marianne Williamson famously said, “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Contact us at Small Biz HQ to shine your light and inspire others to do the same.

https://www.smallbizhq.com.au/contact-us/