Why I’m Proud to Be a Woman-Owned Business

Post written by Missy Johnson, Principal, MJMeetings, LLC | Meetings Consultant | Gourmet Food & Wine Enthusiast | Sports Fan

I recently saw a headline that read “Growth of Women Owned Businesses Boom.”

The headline caught my attention, so I clicked to read more. The article was in the online daily newsletter I receive from BizWomen, which is a collection of news stories from various Business Journals around the country.

The article went on to say that the number of women-owned businesses in the U.S. is growing 2.5 times faster than the national average and has more than DOUBLED in the last twenty years, according to a recent study from American Express.

Interesting and encouraging facts, I thought. I wondered why this growth is happening at such a rapid pace? Then I remembered what motivated me to start my own business nearly 5 years ago.

There were many reasons, but one of the primary factors was that I was motivated by a very negative experience where I worked for a corporation whose culture was dominated by egotistical, entitled and wealthy men who had no appreciation for, or understanding of, my profession. And they treated me accordingly. I was belittled, dismissed and discouraged. I also endured some pretty ugly verbal swearing that has no place in any professional company culture.

The article also made me think more about the culture shock we’ve all experienced within the last few months that has become our new norm…one where sexual harassment against women in the workplace seems to have no discrimination by industry, race or social class. The stories by brave women across our country continue to dominate our news headlines and, with each story told, everyone in our society suffers.

So why has there been so much growth in women-owned businesses? It’s simple really – the impressive growth over the last twenty years is a resounding statement by women who want to take control of their lives and income without negative interference or influence.

Women have taken a big step forward over the last twenty years by experiencing growth in business ownership. I’m really proud to be a part of it.