Though there are still inequalities and glass ceilings that make it difficult for female entrepreneurs, there are now more opportunities than ever for women to start their own successful businesses. Working for yourself means that you have the chance to create your own schedule, bring something new into the world, and to create a difference.
During these difficult times, it’s become even more important to support each other. Here at Workit Spaces, we’ve created a coworking space that gives opportunity to everyone. We’ve created an episode of our Workit Reality series to showcase how five women have established their own companies, including the experience of Emily Townsend, co-founder of Workit Spaces.
Check out the Workit Spaces YouTube channel for more videos, or watch our COVID Reality series where we share how our small businesses have coped with the pandemic. This article will go into more depth about what these female entrepreneurs have done to start and run their thriving businesses.
Stephanie and Vanessa, Carver
Stephanie and Vanessa both worked in the fashion industry for many years before wanting to start their own fashion label. The sisters found that working for themselves allowed them to have free reign with their creative vision.
Before the pandemic hit, the female entrepreneurs had just started their families. Having children and running a business completely on their own created new challenges. Fortunately, not having to work the typical 9 to 5 meant that they could balance the two priorities however they wanted. At Workit, our high security eCommerce storage facilities are accessible by members 24/7.
One of the most important factors in running a successful business for Carver has been their trust in each other. They both work towards meeting business goals while at the same time, keeping each other happy and taking care of each other’s families.
Bella, Public Figure
Bella started Public Figure when she discovered sustainable fabrics that use recycled fibres. Her eCommerce store focuses on ethical and sustainable fashion. Fortunately, with her business model being online, she didn’t have to change her business model during the coronavirus lockdown.
Though the fashion industry does have a lot of females, being a young woman made it difficult at times. Bella found that people didn’t take her seriously. However, that didn’t stop her from proving her worth. She’s shown that her long-term experience in eCommerce and as a fashion designer brings a lot to the table. Her confidence got her through a lot of issues.
How has Bella created a successful business? Bella took the time to look into the gaps in the market. From her own experience, she found that finding an ethical fashion label that offers high-end clothing was impossible. She’s put a significant amount of effort into researching factory conditions, processes and fabrics.
Eunica, Alcmena
Alcmena sells eco-friendly baby products such as cloth nappies, change mats and wet bags. Eunica, founder of Alcmena, has found that more and more women are striving to become successful entrepreneurs. Being able to work on a project without having to follow another person’s terms allows women to have a better work-life balance.
Eunica did a degree in Commerce and Law and started working in corporate as a Transfer Pricing Analyst at Ernst & Young. However, she wanted to start a business that was worthwhile and would give back to the community. Not only did she want Alcmena to be profitable, she wanted to give a portion of the profits to charity.
Eventually, working a full-time job and running her own business became too difficult. Eunica decided to put all her time into Alcmena and it’s been growing ever since. She’s also been aware that she wants to have kids one day. After working with parents who had to stay back until 10 or 11pm, she didn’t want that life for herself.
Eunica has been nominated as a finalist in the NSW Emerging Leader Award category for the 2020 Telstra Business Women’s Awards. In an interview she did with the Workit blog, she shares how she became an award-winning entrepreneur and gives her two best tips for going from corporate to running a business.
Emily, Workit Spaces
Last but definitely not least, our very own Emily Townsend co-founded Workit Spaces in 2018. She had an interest in property and small business, and found that coworking was the perfect opportunity. When the business first started, she was still working her corporate job. This year, she finally decided she no longer wanted to build something for someone else.
For Emily, the most important thing in running a successful business has been passion. If you’re passionate, you have the best chance of doing well. To anyone who would discourage female entrepreneurs from starting their own businesses, she would tell them, “If guys can do it, girls can do it too.”
Workit Spaces has been through a very daunting period in the past few months. Fortunately, we’ve been able to change our strategy and really focus on growing. Our spaces are almost filled and we’re in the process of building a new eCommerce hub location. You can learn more about Workit Spaces and contact us for a tour of the space if you think it might be right for you.
