Celebrating Wonderful Women
Posted on 21st April 2021
By Helen Worgan from Sweet Faraday
Did you know that according to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, roughly 1 million (20%) of SMEs in the UK were female-led and contributed around £85 billion to the UK’s economy output in 2014. These figures have not changed much since, according to a more recent survey (June 2020 – Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy).
Helen Worgan
Last month Holly Tucker (of NotOnTheHighStreet.com fame) and Holly&Co ran a campaign celebrating women founders and female-led businesses. Over 2000 women used and shared the #femalefoundersunite hashtag and I was privileged to be part of a small group of fabulous women who took part in helping to spread the word for the campaign. We created an Instagram reel with artwork very generously donated by fellow female founder illustrators and artists. It was very simple but the message was clear – TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER.
For so long, women have been pitted against each other. Rivals at best. Enemies at worst. But the truth is, there is room for us all. We each have something special and unique to offer and we should be putting those qualities to good use. My fellow female founders inspire me every day to be and do better. When women support women… AMAZING things happen.
It’s taken me a while and the path has not always been straight but I finally feel like I have found my tribe. That small group of people who totally get your trials and tribulations because they share the same ones. Who commiserate your losses because they know how soul destroying it can be and who celebrate your wins because they know EXACTLY what that celebration means to you. It’s important that women show their strength, own their space at the table and show their support for each other. We are – in fact – already doing ALL of these things and we need to shout it from the rooftops and show the world just how incredible we are.
Having said that, it’s not all about us women though, is it? I think it is important to also acknowledge those who support us from our husbands, partners, fathers, brothers and fellow small business owners. The attitude towards women in business needs to change and we need EVERYBODY on board to do that. I wear my female founder status like a Badge of Honour. It makes me proud to think that I am contributing to the UK economy like millions of other women and I want to inspire the next generation so maybe they don’t have to fight so hard.
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Sweet Faraday – ‘You’re Cherrific’
It was an absolute pleasure and inspiration to have found and met (virtually) so many awesome women during the campaign, who are following their dreams and destiny to build their own successful businesses. Thank you to Carly (@TheFreckledPenguin), Danielle (@RichmondCakeSchool), Deborah (@TheThoughtfulPotter), Ebony (@DottyBlackGifts), Fran (@ShimmyShimmy.Yay), Louise (@MagicKind), Siân (@RobinsBobbins) and Rachel (@IAmRachelShop) – I count you all as friends and allies… and pledge to always support and champion my fellow female founders. To support… lift up… cheerlead, encourage and collaborate. To keep on spreading the word because this isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning.
I hope you will join me.
Artwork supplied by:
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Author: Geraldine Wise
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