Starting a business as a woman of color is equally complicated and gratifying. You can build your own company. You can be your own boss. You can be an awesome entrepreneur. But you must put in the hours necessary to make it happen.
The key is to be patient with yourself and others around you. It may take some time before everything falls into place or you feel comfortable enough to ask questions or express concerns about something that has been bothering you since day one (or even years later).
Growth takes time and patience, which are two things that are hard to have when you’re trying to build from the ground up. And it doesn’t help that there aren’t too many options out there for women of color who want to start their own businesses.
But there are plenty of things you can do to get your business off the ground, and one of them is understanding what you’re in for—and being prepared for it. Here’s what you need to know about being a woman of color in business:
1) More women of color than ever before are starting businesses, so don’t think that you are alone.
2) Women of color with degrees still face 10% higher unemployment rates than their white counterparts.
3) Women with children face more challenges than men with children when it comes to starting a business, but it can be done!
4) It’s all about the hustle! Do your research and figure out what kind of business you want to start. Then start networking! You’ll find that other women who have been through it before are more than willing to help out a sister in need.
Sisters—it’s GO time.
It’s time to start that business you’ve been dreaming of. Whether you do it in conjunction with your day job or you are ready to give up the 9-to-5 and generate revenue in a way that inspires you. It’s time to take control of your life and make your dreams a reality.
I know what you’re thinking: if only it were that easy. If only there wasn’t the extra layer of complication when you’re doing something as bold as starting a business… if only people stopped doubting women and people of color… if only it weren’t so hard to get funding or even just talk to the right people in order to get started…
Well, I’m here to tell you that IT IS THAT EASY.
Starting a business has never been more simple or accessible than it is now—you just need the right tools and an attitude that’s ready for anything.
The most difficult part of starting my business was getting people to believe in my vision. Being a woman of color has its ups and downs when starting a business. Many people are quick to dismiss your ideas or not take you seriously because they assume you don’t know what you’re doing or that your company is going to fail. I had many people tell me that I should “stick with being an employee” and just work for someone else. But I knew that wasn’t all I wanted for myself, I’m more then just my employer! As you continue to read HerSuiteSpot blog posts, I encourage you to focus on why you want to succeed in business and soak up the tips and insights to make your journey much more enjoyable and successful.