Reena Ranger is our guest blogger. Reena is Chairwoman and Co-founder of Women Empowered (WE)
“They” say that women are the next generation of entrepreneurs and some have gone as far as to say that we need “Women Entrepreneurs to Save the World” I thought the latter was a rather dramatic overstatement but it may have a strong foundation.
Over the years the definition and perception of the entrepreneur has evolved and there are now many different types of entrepreneur.
No longer is it that lone man setting off to take forth some radical business idea with great financial risk for maximum profit. We now have social entrepreneurs, who aim to address social or environmental need, rather than being merely profit focused.We have intrapreneurs who are behaving like an entrepreneur while working within a large organization so aren’t really going it alone; mumpreneurs, that is a mother who starts a business to so that she can combine working with looking after her children or just a mum in business; we have serial entrepreneurs, innovative entrepreneurs, headline entrepreneurs and the list goes on and on and on.
“They” also say, that women are natural born entrepreneurs. We are said to be naturally tuned to communicate, build relationships, are arguably more creative and multi tasking is the norm.
We are already entrepreneurial in the considerable initiative it takes in running our homes and personal lives so starting our own enterprise is just taking things one step further.
Finding a work / family balance is not always easy. With all the holidays children seem to get from school and with the economy in the state that it is in, many women are finding the best way to solve their employment needs is to start their own enterprises and create employment for themselves and others.
Women are turning their hobbies into income streams. A passion for baking, clothes or jewellery designing and the like. Others are taking their formal job training one step further and starting up their own businesses and not all of them go it alone but together perhaps with a like minded friend / school mum or colleague.
With technological advances, especially with the boundless reach of the internet and social media allowing thousands to be reached inexpensively and in little time, working from home and running a business or social enterprise with a wide reach is a reality and anyone who wishes to be an entrepreneur and be their own boss, can be; whether this starts as an e-bay shop, blog or full on website with whistles!
So how do they save the world? It is said that if women ran the world, there would be fewer wars. It is generally well known in developing countries that many consider women as the key to economic salvation. When micro financing is made available to them they are good credit risks and have been seen to pay back their loans faster than their male counterparts and create viable businesses. Some say they have different attitudes, views and abilities which give them an advantage over men. They see their businesses not only as a form of providing for their families financially but as a means to create sustainability and stability.
If women become economically strong, they are in a better position to become key decision makers and influencers. They are then able to command better levels of social justice in the world. Many entrepreneurs after attaining a comfortable level believe heavily in philanthropy and assist social and charitable entrepreneurs with funding. Many women social entrepreneurs champion women, saving and helping those souls that need to be helped and saved. Women are mothers and nearly almost one of the, if not the main influencers of their children. Women demanding better social justice for those women and children who need it. Those children are then afforded better education and lives. Those children grow up and are mothers, fathers, brothers, husbands, wives, and leaders of the world; and thus the cycle starts.
Maybe “They” are right, maybe women are the next generation of entrepreneurs and will be the key to saving the world… and “they” aren’t all women !
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