Women in Business

If I cut my hair short…will I be taken more seriously? Should I wear a pants suit instead of a skirt?   As a female business owner, I often ask similar questions when, purchasing from and selling to, companies that are predominantly run by males.   I’m greener then most…with much to learn about the ever expanding world of business, business politics and equality in the professional world. 

Without sounding sexist, I started Tan Envy; a company that speaks primarily to women.  My goal was to empower women; giving them an opportunity to independently make money while having the flexibility to take on their other responsibilities.  In my case, that was raising a family.    I wanted women to enjoy the satisfaction of running their own company, making their own rules and working the hours they decide, all the while have time to do what was most important in their lives.   As I “grow up” I am starting to understand the vast amount of tasks that are served to us, women, daily.   The hats we wear throughout our lifetime are many and I would like to help add “successful entrepreneur” to that list.

True Story:  I founded a Tan Envy, LLC.; a custom spray tanning business that allows the opportunity for others to become spray tanning experts themselves keeping 100% of the profits and in essence running and owning their own business.  I signed with a leading national distributor to carry our products and sell them nationally to salons.  This national distributor has a call center in the Midwest and needed training on my product and how to sell it.  My husband has been working with my company helping me with anything and everything.  Long story short—I was bypassed for the training and he was asked to do all of the training for the sales team!  I couldn’t believe that even though I created the kit and make it a success everyday, my husband was the one they trusted to carryout the training.  They didn’t know either one of us very well, so I assume it was because he was male and therefore they thought he must be the expert.

Although that was the first time I felt discriminated against as a female business owner, I’m sure it won’t be the last.  Women bring a different element to the table and I truly believe that woman have a real drive to be successful in all leadership roles.  We should strive to have the confidence of a peacock, proudly displaying all of our qualities, pushing ourselves to step out of our comfort zone so others don’t just see a woman, but someone capable of success and leadership.  Other’s don’t always expect that women can do what men do; equally as well. 

It is very motivating to work with an outstanding group of woman who has joined my business to make money of course, but to also gain independence and self worth.  It feels good to contribute to our families and to society from a monetary standpoint.  Not taking away from the importance of the traditional woman’s role; but how wonderful it is to make an imprint in the business world, adding “entrepreneur” to a woman’s arsenal of expertise.

In closing: I trained the Midwest call center on selling my product, the training went well, and I believe I gained their respect and trust in our product.  As an entrepreneur, we face many obstacles everyday; and I work hard to not let being a woman become an obstacle.  With so much to give, teach, and gain… the women in my company help to empower other woman to follow their dreams and become wildly successful in the fastidious world of entrepreneurism.