being a girl in business
my next post on the slate blog is up and it's all about being a young woman in business. i've had some interesting run-ins with rather archaic business people and have picked up a few tips on dealing with them along the way. if you're a young woman starting your own business it might be an interesting read or at least provide a laugh or two. i definitely welcome anyone else's tips (over here or at slate.com) for rising above some of the gender-based issues young women face in business today. [my next post will be on the day-to-day life of a blogger]
[i've gotten dozens of emails already asking how to find a local women's group. i suggested some methods below in the comments section but if you'd like to set up a small-scale business ladies meet up in your town email me and i'll help you set one up via d*s and our reader network]
posted by design*sponge @ 6.11.06
15 Comments:
This was a really good post. I had a man tell me that he didn't think he wanted to give me his credit card number to buy my work because "I might forget it." I assured him that I'd been doing this for years and he said "Well I don't know many girls running their own companies and not making mistakes."
Nice, eh?
Jill^^
you mentioned bimonthly meetings that you attend. any suggestions for how to find a similar group in the bay area?
great article, thanks for sticking it out! it can be tough out there, but well worth the effort.
-s
the meetings i attend are thrown by a friend at her house in brooklyn but here are some good resources for finding a group that fits your needs
(though i suggest using a site like etsy.com to locate someone in your area and link up in a more intimate one-on-one way):
http://www.csulb.edu/~sbsluss/Women_and_Business.html
http://www.score.org/women_resources.html
http://www.blogher.org/
I also suggest checking Craigslist for meet ups or emailing your local design blogger or craft site to see if they'd be interested in setting up a business night.
If people feel inspired to set up a local meet up please let me know, I'd be happy to organize it on D*S.
d*s
I love that your "voice" is consistent through your different blogs' postings. And that cartoon doesn't look a bit like you! There's a great resource called "ladies who launch" online with workshops in various cities--it covers a fairly broad spectrum of women-owned businesses. www.ladieswholaunch.com
thanks anon ;)
that is a GREAT resource, too. thanks!
d*s
thanks i'll look in to all of those!
-s
Hey Grace that is wonderful! I've referenced it over at Boss Lady. Bravo! Is this now a regular feature at Slate?
oh wow, thanks so much emira!
yes, the bizbox will continue with a whole host of business owners. we were just the first two :)
d*s
Hehe, great article, and so true to some of the experiences that I've had in the business world!
If anyone's looking for a virtual business support group, The Switchboards (http://www.theswitchboards.com/forum/) is a great site to check out, as well.
Crafters should check out the Craft Mafias in cities all across the country for business advice and support.
http://www.craftmafia.com/
I think we could do ourselves a service by not referring to ourselves as "girls."
"No punishment anyone might inflict on us could possibly be worse than the punishment we inflict on ourselves by conspiring in our own diminishment."
-Parker Palmer
I have no problem being called a girl, woman, lady, young woman, anything. I think the problem lies in someone thinking that because I'm any of the above I can't run a business.
d*s
Who cares if someone says girl? I'm 45 and still like to think of myself as a girl- I don't find it effects my business much or warrants a fancy quote about "punishment". Going a bit too far there I think...
Fran
Thank you for the tips! Inspiring!
Hi Grace, A great group for women in business is the Downtown Women's Club. It was founded in Boston, but has been rolled out nationally with chapters all over the country. It has both an online component (a la Facebook) plus regular chapter events. www.downtownwomensclub.com
Linda
Post a Comment
<< Home