You Go Girl! Women-Owned Businesses Are Kind Of A Big Deal!

What's a girl gotta do to get ahead around here? Well, exactly what we're already doing, it seems. When it comes to running our own businesses and calling the shots, we've really got it goin' on. So nice job, girls! I read recently that something like 40% of businesses in the U.S. today are owned or majority-owned by women. I'm proud to count myself among those numbers. Although I can't say I'm too surprised, since so many of the entrepreneurs I meet are women. About 12.3 million companies are female-owned. Surprising or not, that's kind of a big deal considering that just a little over 10 years ago, there were almost 60% fewer women-owned businesses. In the last decade, the number of majority-male or shared ownership grew by only 12 percent. (That did surprise me.) So if you're a girlboss, you're in good company!

We women face challenges at work that are sometimes seen as specific to our gender. Sure, those challenges are also stuff everyone has to figure out, but maybe a little more so for us. Like being likable, yet still authoritative. Or being assertive, but not a bitch. In command, but not too bossy. Confident, but not aggressive. A good manager, yet not a controlling micromanager. Every adjective that relates to being a leader is followed by a "but" or a "yet." Sound familiar? That's kind of a rhetorical question since we all know that answer to that!

Girlboss Or Just Boss? Learn To Be Good At Both!

This is an annoying problem for an aspiring entrepreneur. As if you don't have enough worries already trying to get your business off the ground, you've got to manage your "being a girl in charge" issues as well. So fun! If your business is in its fledgling stage, you're probably more concerned with more important stuff, which is perfectly fine. Focus on the things that are crucial to helping your business thrive — finances, your actual product or service, marketing, your business plan — and the rest will either sort itself out, or you'll figure it out.

You can't fret too much about how you're perceived by others, so let some of that worry go. What you can do is take a look at your actions and reactions and see if anything you're doing is holding you back. Don't under-sell yourself. If something is your idea, own it, dammit! Whether you full-on brag or humble-brag, take credit for your work and ideas. Don't be shy about promoting your business and how good it is. Did a customer or client pass along a criticism? Don't take it personally. Take it as feedback and a chance to make improvements, not an attack to be insulted by. Rejection, failure and criticism are part of being in business, so the easier you can handle all of these and move on, the better. 

Advice For Every Boss!

OK, I've covered some of the obvious girlboss stuff, with the emphasis on "girl." Now, what about the boss part? Isn't that more important? In case you don't already know my answer, pretend that I'm yelling it: Hell yeah! I talk all the time about the things entrepreneurs need to do to be successful. You can't run a business with a strategy that's all over the place. Focus! You need a focused business plan to serve as your guide. You also need to get your finances and accounting in order. That's super, uber, duper important! How can you possibly know if you're making any money if you don't have an organized, accurate accounting of it? And I mean ALL of it!

That was the big, sorry lesson I had to learn. I thought I was rolling in cash because I was working my patootie off. Work seemed so glamorous. I had clients with money to spend. My wardrobe was on point. My shoes were even better! (Naturally.) All that was missing was a cool loft apartment in "the city" that in reality only a zillionaire could afford, like in every rom com ever. (Maybe I was missing the rom com handsome lead too, but that's another story!) Truth was, I was close to broke after all the money going in and out was added up. I — The Party Goddess! — was one hot mess that needed fixing. Getting my accounting in order was the single best thing I ever did for my business, and for me! Whether you're a girlboss, a boyboss, or just a badass boss, doing that will probably do wonders for your business as well.

Be Oh So Quotable This Week!

Oh by the way, are you searching for easy steps to charge more without losing clients? Learn where you're leaving money on the table and discover simple costs to cut PLUS get productivity tips! And the best part is it's all FREE! Get our Simple Tricks right here!

I always say running a business means the work never ends! Ain't that the truth? I bet your to-do list is a mile long! Make sure that the items at the top of your list are the things that relate to being more profitable. Everyone is so proud of being so "busy"...But Are You Making Any Money? Don't be too busy to focus!

Check out the summary of last week's business tips and motivational quotes from my Instagram page which you hopefully got to see in real time! If not, let's make sure we're following each other on Instagram!! So...here is this week's roundup of Instagram images of My Top Business Tips and Motivational Quotes.

Girlboss – Tip #1:

"We need to get women to the point where they aren’t apologizing. It is time to take ownership in our success." – Tory Burch

Girlboss – Tip #2:

"Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness." – Oprah Winfrey

Girlboss – Tip #3:

"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass." – Maya Angelou

Girlboss – Tip #4:

"I’m tough, ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay." – Madonna

Girlboss – Tip #5:

"Blaze your own glittery, sparkly, fiery, shimmering path." – Cara Alwill Leyba

Let's talk! I'd love to hear what you like about being a girlboss!

Are you a badass girlboss? Do you work for one? I would LOVE to hear from you! Anyhoo...I publish these business tips and motivational quotes to get you fired up for your work week!

Oh by the way, in case you're looking for something to help with time management, we've got this fun little quiz to test your productivity. Are you a Vodka & Red Bull? A Dirty Dirty? Or a plucky Blue Sapphire? Find out which cocktail you are by taking our quiz right now!

And, if you want more business tips, get my book, But Are You Making Any Money? or contact me to really take your business to the next level!

xoxo M

P.S. Of course that's not all we've got! Searching for more tips about running a business?

Then definitely take a look at these:

Take Control Of Your Life Like These Women Did!

You Go Girl! Powerful Words By Powerful Women!

How To Succeed According To 5 Successful Women!

I'd love to hear your ideas! So please comment below and then SHARE!

Disclosure: The Party Goddess! is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through an amazon.com link. However, these are all products I highly recommend and support!