Popcorn Post: Women's Day!

What represents a woman? What makes a woman a woman? Is it compassion? The ability to nurture? A mother? Or solely her biological reproductive parts that make up her gender? Maybe a combination of all of the above. But a woman can be anything she wants to be. That's just one part of what makes up her beauty. There are no more limitations on women. Women have become powerful beings and play crucial roles in today's world.

So if you come across someone today who is compassionate, nurturing, intelligent, powerful, and beautiful in every way, thank her...because she is most likely a woman. Happy Women's Day!






Written content: © 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 J.H. Language Solutions

4 Secrets to Why Female Entrepreneurs Are Happier

The overall increase in startups this country has seen over the last several years to a decade shouldn’t come as anything but a shock. What’s more of a shock is how many of these startups have a woman behind them. In fact, there were 8.1 million female owned or operated businesses in the U.S. in 2011 alone. Additionally, most are still surprised to discover that the amount of startups has taken off and increased significantly over the last five years, to make up one of the highest entrepreneurial peaks in history. 

And why is this? How and why are so many females, of various ages, experience levels, and education, jumping into the entrepreneurial world with both feet…and spike heels? The reasons are plentiful…and make sense.

Women Are Crazy. If you were to interview or ask any entrepreneurial female why she came up with the crazy idea of owning her own business, what do you think she would say? The most common reasons are to be expected: it is a great opportunity for stay-at-home moms, it offers flexibility and a chance for women to be successful in an entrepreneurial and even executive role, it allows for a woman to be in business for what she is passionate about…and for something she truly loves. 

The truth is, women are more apt to take on a second job than men. Women also stand to make more money as an entrepreneur than they would working for Corporate America, or in a position where they compete with men. And all in all, women are tired of being victims to the pay gap…which is still a problem in today’s working world. 

So how’s that for crazy?

Passion, Patience, and Positions: Keys to Making a Difference. All in all, a female entrepreneur could give you all the reasons we just listed above for choosing to start her own business. However, one of the most common reasons and responses is that women are in business to make a difference. Female entrepreneurs by nature are compassionate and nurturers. Therefore, it is no surprise that they put their all into their business, or their “babies”. This in turn will no doubt contribute to the superb excellence and outstanding performance behind a woman’s attitude and desire to succeed. The key here is passion. This is often what makes those successful women who are CEOs, business owners, or hold executive level positions better and more successful in their positions than men.

Beauty and Brains. There is a stereotype floating around in society that women naturally do not have a head for business. Well, guys, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, we are rising to power. The female entrepreneurial world is creating a synergy, and generating a lot of buzz today. In support of this effort, there are many training programs, grants, and organizations that support female entrepreneurs, both organizationally and financially. Many technology training programs offer female entrepreneurs e-business tools, brand promotion techniques, marketing research, and general best business practices. 

Women Are Just Happier… In addition to being in business because it is a great opportunity, it gives women self-confidence and gain and use their skills, being able to stay home with the kids, make more money, and to make a difference and really be passionate about something, women are just generally happier as entrepreneurs. Recent studies have shown that women get more life and work satisfaction out of being and entrepreneur. We enjoy the flexibility, and we know that it takes patience, nurturing, dedication, and passion to drive it all home and make it work. Female entrepreneurs know what it takes to run a successful business and to excel as an entrepreneur.

Female-owned businesses range from event planning and consulting services to bakeries and flower shops, scientific forensics and technical services, and even legal consulting services. In the span of a decade, the number of businesses in the United States increased by 34%. And of that 34%, 50% were female-owned and operated. Don’t underestimate the power of women in business.

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Written content: © 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 J.H. Language Solutions

 

3 Facts about Women in Business and Business Growth

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It’s no secret that the number of successful and professional women grabbing hold and empowering the entrepreneurial world has grown exponentially not only in the last decade, but even more so in the last several years. More and more women are working in executive roles such as CEOs, VPs, other various high level or managerial positions, and even becoming business owners.

Regardless of the position or level, women all over the world are developing new networking skills and strategies and even experimenting with their entrepreneurial skills and abilities. Interestingly enough, women were stereotyped in working secretarial, educational, or nursing roles not thirty years ago. While these positions are still predominantly held by women, they are also branching out into other roles and industries that are commonly stereotyped as “male roles”, such as doctors and physicians, scientists, lawyers, and even military service members and law enforcers.

In fact, here are some renown facts related to women in business that prove that exceptional females are working out of the homes, out of the secretarial pools, and up the corporate ladders:

Trust the facts, Jack:

• In the last decade (approximately between 1997 and 2006), women-owned and operated businesses grew more than any other business in the U.S. As of 2011, it was estimated that at least ten million businesses had ownership of 50% or more women.
  
• In 2012, approximately 6,000 companies in the world have at least one female director working at an executive level.
  
• As of 2008, women hold approximately 46.3% of the labor force in the U.S. Approximately 15% of Fortune 500 companies in the U.S. have female corporate officers.
  

While some of this data was from several years to almost a decade ago, it is almost certain that these numbers have increased at the rate that small businesses and start ups are growing in the U.S.

So this now begs the question: Why the gradual and astonishing increase in the number of female business owners, directors, and CEOs? This could be due to economic changes and pressure for women to survive in the work force, the desire for women to be successful as men, or even in an attempt to help close the pay gap between men and women.

Regardless of the reason why more and more women are pouring into business, the statistics are still surprising. On the flip side, however, it's also true that women still have a long way to go to catch up with men in the work force. But look on the bright side, ladies, there are even organizations and foundations established to help women in business succeed. In fact, there are also grants available to those women who are looking to start up small businesses. It's out there and it's possible. You've just got to know where to look.

So hats off to the ladies who have been busy networking, consulting, solution-ing, and just rocking it in the world of the business in the last few months, the last year, and in the last decade. 

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Powerful Women

This is something our society is beginning to see more of: powerful women. And with good reason. More and more women are assuming professional managerial and leadership roles, becoming business owners and entrepreneurs, CEOs, and becoming really powerful, influential women. And I'm not talking in just the stereotypical industries (teaching, nursing, administration, etc.), I'm talking about scientific, medical, and technical fields as well. Things sure have come a long way!

So why after almost fifty years are women finally stepping up to the plate in business and really taking a "run for their money?" There could be a few reasons to this theory:

1.) The Economy.  Today you see less housewives staying home with the housework, running errands, and shuffling the kids to soccer practice. This could be because single income families just can't survive anymore. Most middle to upper middle class families require at least two incomes to survive. That's just the way things are now...MUCH different from the 50s.

2.) Better Lifestyle. No offense to those women who are still housewives, and the housewife way of life isn't quite dead yet, but many women have entered the work force for a better lifestyle. Over the years, as more and more women were forced to enter the work force, being a "housewife" became more of a luxury. But is it really?

3.) More Educated. It is possible that more and more women (or human beings as a whole) are more educated. In the last twenty or thirty years, more than half of the women in the country acquired at least a Bachelor's degree, with the majority in 2008-2009. While it is extremely difficult to find a job today, let alone jump start a career or start a business, the odds are still in favor of those with degrees.

So the moral of this story? Women are becoming more powerful.You don't have to be a feminist to appreciate that, or a woman for that matter. I'm not sure what we are in store for as this country slips deeper and deeper into corruption and debt, but I bet the solution begins with a women. That's a post for another time.

Women CEOs

Since March is women's history month in the United States, I thought it would be appripo to talk about women entrepreneurs and where they are today. In the last thirty years, women have really stepped up to the plate in regards to working, running, and owning businesses. More and more women entrepreneurs are hitting the scene and assuming a place in history. Since women entered the workforce, they have overcome challenges such as sexual harassment, poor benefits, unequal pay, and unfair employers. In fact, they’ve even stepped over men into the number one spot.

At the beginning of 2009, there were thirteen women CEOs who ran some of the largest U.S.-based companies. Although it seems like a small number, two years later, this number is already outdated. More and more women are gaining ground in corporate America and making their way to the top. According to an article published on InfoPlease, “[Women] Their accomplishments represent significant milestones - not just for women in business - but for women all over the world making career choices.”

More and more women today are pursuing college degrees, and even advanced degrees at the Master’s and Doctoral levels. In fact, more work places are dominantly run and developed by women. In addition, more women are seen in jobs that are stereotypically classified as male roles such as law enforcement, construction, scientists, and doctors. Keep in mind that this country gets closer and closer to putting the first woman president into office. We came extremely close within the last three years with Sarah Palin and Hilary Clinton, although I think most of us can agree that we'd all be doomed if Sarah Palin was running this country, but the point is that there are more women serving as politicians and becoming closer and closer to taking the chair in the Oval Office.

As much as this country has its downfalls, and it seems like it is still predominantly run by men, women are gaining ground. Plan and simple. There are many countries out there that unfortunately still view women as a second-class citizen, a minority, and even slaves. We are lucky to live in a country that, whether they want to or not, allow women to become CEOs of companies, become business owners and entrepreneurs, let alone get out of the house and work.

So even though just a short, thirty years ago in the 1980s when women were only seen as teachers, nurses, or secretaries in the work force, it is clear that things have dramatically changed. Women still have a long way to go before evening out with the number of male CEOs, but change and the potential for change is there. And the more young women that look at the top and see potential, the more are going to get there. You go, girls.

Hardcore Feminism

"What's the worst thing you can call a woman? Don't hold back, now. You are probably thinking of words like slut, whore, bitch, cunt (I told you not to hold back!), skank. Okay, now, what are the worst things you can call a guy? Fag, girl, bitch, pussy. I've even heard the term 'mangina'. Notice anything? The worst thing you can call a girl is a girl. The worst thing you can call a guy is a girl. Being a woman is the ultimate insult. Now tell me that's not royally fucked up. Most young women know that something is off. Do you think it's fair that a guy makes more money doing the same job as you? Does it piss you off and scare you when you find out about your friends getting raped? Do you ever feel like shit about your body? Do you ever feel like something is wrong because you don't fit into this bizarre ideal of what girls are supposed to be like? Well, my friend, I hate to break it to you, but you are a hardcore feminist. We're all brought up to feel like something is wrong with us. We're too fat. We're dumb. We're too smart. We're not ladylike enough - stop cursing, chewing with your mouth open, speaking your mind. We're too slutty. We aren't slutty enough. Fuck that. There are plenty of folks who believe that Feminism has achieved its goal. The 1998 Time magazine article 'Is Feminism Dead?' said, 'If the women's movement were still useful, it would have something to say; it's dead because it has won.' There's no doubt that women have made progress, but just because we get to vote and have the 'right' to work doesn't mean things are peachy keen. Anyone who can say that women have 'won', that all is well and good now, should ask why the president of Harvard can say that maybe women are naturally worse at math and then have people actually take him seriously. Or why a teacher can still get fired for being pregnant and unmarried. Seriously, are things really cool the way they are when so many of us are upchucking our meals and getting raped and beat up and being paid less money than men? And being denied birth control, and being told not to have sex but be sexy and a hundred other things that make us feel shitty? It can be better. It has to be. If feminism is dead, then why do people have to keep on trying to kill it? Feminism is the media's favorite punching bag. Don't forget - there are a lot of people benefitting from your feeling like shit about yourself. Think about it: If you don't feel fat, you won't be buying firming lotions and diet pills. If you don't feel stupid, you might speak out against all the screwy laws that adversely affect women. It pays - literally- to keep women half there. And god forbid you get involved with anything that would make you wonder why in the world women are having surgery to make their vaginas 'prettier'. The solution? Don't fall for it. If feminism isn't for you, fine. But find that our for yourself. I'm betting that you are more likely to be into something that encourages you to recognize that you're already pretty badass than something that insists that you're a fat, dumb chick."


Excerpt from Full Frontal Feminism, by Jessica Valenti

Furry Feminism: The Hairy Topic - Introduction

Let's face it. No matter if you are a man or a woman, feminism is a "hairy" topic. Men avoid it because they are intimidated by women (it's true, ladies) and women avoid it because it comes with a bad name. Feminists are stereotyped as ugly, whiny, and lesbians. Personally, I have pushed these stereotypes aside and do not consider myself any of these. I prefer to call myself a bitch. There. I said it. I'm a bitch. I remember a time when I was SO offended when stupid teenage boys from high school would call me a bitch. Finally, I stopped getting angry and just replying with "That's right, I am." This has nothing to do with self-respect. Because I have some. Actually I'd like to believe that I have more self-respect than most woman. Which is shame. I am a young, successful woman with an attitude. I don't let people bring me down and I don't bring others down.

My inspiration for writing this blog is to challenge the minds of women to look...and I mean REALLY look...at their worlds, societies, and communities. It doesn't take a genius to look around and realize that something just isn't right with our society.

It's not all bad. My blogs won't all be about feminism. I like to talk about things and other interests of mine such as animals, family life and work life, and other "accepted" topics. It won't be ALL bitching. I promise.

A lot of what I choose to write or "blog" about may be offensive to some. I will probably swear or curse. Actually I KNOW I will. Sorry. If you don't like it, don't read it. There's my disclaimer. The beauty of blogging is about speaking your mind.

Enjoy...or don't.