A recent BBC documentary with Hilary Devey of Dragon’s Den about ‘women at the top’ has prompted me to share my own experiences of working women and women in small business (not that I’m at the top or anywhere close!!)
We have certainly come a long way in terms of equality, but why is it still so difficult for many women trying to juggle a career with raising a family?
In the documentary, Hilary more or less claims that there is no such thing as a glass ceiling. That this is a myth or excuse for women’s own failings.
The ratio of men to women in top positions, in the UK, is shocking. I don’t believe that this is down to the failings of women, but I agree that (in principal) there is no such thing as a glass ceiling.
I do believe however, that for a woman to ‘break’ the glass ceiling she has to work so much harder than a man with a similar skill set. She also has to sacrifice a whole lot more.
This is obviously my personal opinion based on my own priorities but I respect the fact that women have different values and goals just like we have different tastes in clothes and handbags!
I went back to work on a part time basis after having my first child. Partly because I still had to earn but also because I had worked for the same organisation since leaving school, had worked hard to get to where I was and my work was important to me. It was challenging and gave me a sense of achievement.
On the other hand, it was really important to me to be the main carer for my children and I was happy that my work/life balance tipped in favour of them.
Despite only working part time when they were young I still found it really difficult to juggle everything. I have total respect for mum’s who manage to work full time. I don’t know how they do it and am the first to admit that I would really struggle.
Until recently I was very lucky with the element of flexibility I had in my ‘day’ job. I had a very understanding boss who worked with us to ensure that the goals of the business were met but at the same time we had the work life balance that we needed. This drove me (and my colleagues) to work so much harder in return. It was a win-win situation.
Unfortunately, things have started to change recently due to restructures taking place as a result of the recession and I am disappointed to say that going forward I fear there will be much less flexibility as the company strives to cut costs. It seems we are going backwards instead of forwards in terms of family friendly initiatives.
It’s no wonder then that there is an army of strong women going out on their own working from home, fed up with trying to juggle raising a family, keeping a house and the many other hats they wear, while working to the rigid rules of employment (and spending a small fortune on childcare).
On my journey I have met so many inspiring women either through work, at craft fairs or at the school gates!
We all share the same goals. We want the flexibility to care for our families in the way we see fit while fulfilling our potential and having success in our own right doing something that we love!
I am looking forward to working with some of them, in my quest to seek out unique handcrafted gifts , home accessories and handmade jewellery for my online gift shop.
I’m sure in years to come that many of these small businesses will grow and prosper with women at the top!
Nicola
X
I have also included links to just some of the small businesses I have come across! They are well worth checking out!
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