What It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur
Is It a Man's World?
Written by Jay Shapiro for Gaebler Ventures
Despite feminism and all that it has achieved for women, some are still of the belief that it is a man's world. This is especially true in the business arena. But it could be seen as a false belief, there are, after all, a wide range of commercial ventures that are best overseen by women.
Depending on who you ask, you will get a different answer. In general though this belief or old adage is something of a fallacy.
In fact, looked at from another perspective it could be seen as a woman's world.
Because of changes in the way that society is there are now a number of career choices that are newly opened up for women. Where previously it was the domain of men to set up plumbing services, decorating firms and car mechanic workshops it is now not unusual to find women forming businesses in these industries.
In fact, where home services apply, as in the case of plumbing or decorating, many elderly people and women themselves admit to feeling more comfortable with having women work in their homes than men. Although this says a lot about society that isn't particularly good the positive side is that more women than ever before are venturing into work arenas they might previously have overlooked.
In terms of entrepreneurial opportunities, many can be found if you look at female only businesses. These days there are insurance companies that cater solely for women drivers. A case in point here is the UK company Sheila's Wheels. And because this relatively new girl power is somewhat in its infancy that means there are still many gaps in the market, not just car insurance, that are just waiting to be filled... by girls.
If you're thinking of focusing a new business venture to cater solely for women then look at areas that haven't yet been covered, and think outside the box. Write a list of questions like the examples below so that you can start to presuppose some of the pros and cons.
1. Would a restaurant or bar that only served women have a chance of success? Or is restricting your clientele to only half the human race a bad idea when it comes to wining and dining?
2. How about a professional female friend agency/service for women. The professional female friend could accompany the female client to appointments where she feels she needs the support of another woman. For example, a trip to see a male doctor. What problems would you face with an agency like this? Would you have concerns that it might be viewed as an 'adult' service. If so, how would you overcome this?
3. A girls only tattoo parlor? Female artists tattooing female clients. Do you foresee any problems? Do enough women these days get tattoos or is it still men who pay for this body adornment more than women?
The above are merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes pondering the possibilities of women-only business ventures, but the examples are there to get the creative thought processes going, so to speak. You may come up a thousand more ideas. And if you're a woman you'll be coming up with them while balancing a baby on your hip, answering a phone call, redesigning your garden and cooking the dinner.
Jay Shapiro is a freelance writer based in the UK. Jay has a particular interest in the emotive aspects of the entrepreneur's character. "Alongside the nuts and bolts of business, the character of the person is often the ingredient responsible for success."
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