by Lauren Jackson/reporter
No longer confined to answering telephones for their male bosses, women are now the bosses.
Women-owned businesses are the fastest growing sector of new venture ownership in the United States, according to Science Direct, Journal of Business Venturing.
With an economy that overwhelmingly seems to be made up of businesses owned by men, the government and private sectors offer a variety of helpful tools for women, and Julie Davis, a self-employed single mother of three, decided to take advantage of the opportunity.
“There is so much helpful stuff out there,” she said. It has become a lot easier for women to own their own business.”
“I am currently working on opening my own real estate company,” she said.
“There are more resources available now than there have ever been before,” she said.
Starting a business doesn’t have to be the result of a childhood dream; it is a goal that can be made and achieved at any time in life.
“When I was a kid I wanted to be a teacher; I never thought about working for myself,” she said,
“I was at work one day when I realized that I hated my job and was sick and tired of working for someone else,” she said.
Being self-employed can begin with a small venture and can even start right at home.
“I began selling cosmetics from home,” she said.
“I quickly became in charge of distribution for several other people selling cosmetics and had over a dozen people working through me,” she said.
Davis said women should consider opening their own businesses and working for themselves.
“It is the only way that they are going to be paid what they are worth and be able to achieve the lifestyle they desire on their own,” she said.
Female-owned enterprises are popping up all over the mid-cities area, and they bring more than just their business to the area.
“It is extremely important that women have their own businesses, and it is important for their communities, especially if you are raising children,” she said.
“It is important for the community to see that, and you know they are all watching,” she said.
Although many parents encourage their children to work, sometimes as soon as they are old enough to legally be employed, Davis would rather have her children work for themselves.
“I don’t want my kids to work for someone else. I want them to see what I have done and become employer-minded instead of employee-minded,” she said.
“My kids can mow people’s lawns, babysit and/or even wash cars—but I want them to be their own boss,” she said.
Over the past few years, more and more resources have become accessible to women from all different avenues.
“There are more resources, small grants and funds available to women than are available to men,” she said.
Many women are apprehensive about opening their own business, worried that the process will be too difficult, stressful or even impossible.
“You just can’t let anybody tell you that you can’t,” Davis said.
“You have to be aggressive and be willing to get beat up trying and get right back up and keep going.”
