| Women entrepreneurs are big news. They are starting | | | | Sian Lewis is managing director of Diamond, which |
| businesses at twice the rate of men and their | | | | offers car insurance for women. The prevailing |
| businesses are growing in size as well as number. | | | | wisdom is to have your call centre stocked with |
| Revenue in female owned businesses increased more | | | | low-paid employees, that is, if it hasn't already been |
| than in other businesses in the same period, according | | | | relocated to the East. Needing to contact a call centre |
| to a 2004 survey by Washington DC's Centre for | | | | is probably on most people's list of 'things I really dislike |
| Women Business research. Although the story in the | | | | doing'. The bottom line is keeping costs as low as |
| United States is the most promising, a smaller, slower | | | | possible. Of course this is supremely important, but not |
| but nonetheless similar trend is taking place in Britain. | | | | at the expense of offering a good service. Diamond |
| Although much is made of women's desire for a 'work | | | | has chosen to employ articulate and genuinely |
| life' balance, comparatively few women leave the | | | | motivated staff - and their quotes are still extremely |
| corporate world so they can spend more time with | | | | competitive. |
| their families. Rather, they want to take risks, work in a | | | | Although women are less likely to receive venture |
| more flexible and possibly ethical way, and follow their | | | | capital than men, they mange to find funding by |
| passions. Emotional attachment to something is not | | | | recourse to banks, credit cards and perhaps families. |
| always an asset in big business, but it is helpful if you | | | | This will hopefully change, as the proven track records |
| want to start a small business as you will likely need a | | | | of small businesses run by women speak for |
| grand passion to carry you through the difficulties. It is | | | | themselves. Already, women are recognised as a |
| hard to sacrifice your holiday because your city boss | | | | 'safe pair of hands' whilst driving, hence Diamond's |
| needs you to broker a big deal; it is much easier if you | | | | success. But setting up a small business [ also requires |
| need to keep your own business going and you | | | | specific experience, as well as passion and drive. |
| actually enjoy your work. | | | | Thankfully, women develop useful relationships with a |
| Adrian Guglielmo started a marketing company and | | | | greater ease than men. |
| hired deaf people - the first for-profit corporation for | | | | Women have what it takes to succeed - and will |
| people with disabilities in America. She had found out | | | | continue to prove it. |
| that there was an 80 percent unemployment rate in | | | | Disclaimer: |
| the deaf community. Although paying serious attention | | | | This article has been written for information and |
| to all the usual suspects, including turning a handsome | | | | interest purposes only. The information contained within |
| profit, she is passionately interested in 'capitalism with a | | | | this article is the opinion of the author only, and should |
| cause'. The traditional macho business model may be | | | | not be construed as advice or used to make financial |
| an impediment for women employed in the corporate | | | | decisions. Expert financial advice should always be |
| world - do they really want to be a 'ball breaker' - but | | | | sought and any links contained within this article are |
| once outside they can choose a business model that | | | | included for information purposes only. |
| plays to their strengths. | | | | |