July 2022
Article by Rose Gibson - Founder of BabyBeats® and Mindful Movers®
I have had the opportunity to look through some interesting facts and figures around women in business and the gender pay gap that - believe it or not - still exists in so many public and private corporations.
There is no actual difference in ability? That’s a scientific fact!
But research from the Office of National Statistics has shown the gender pay gap among employees working full or part time was still 15.5% in 2020, down from 17.4% in 2019 – that’s still too high! Getting paid 15.5% less because you’re female!
Statistics reveal that only 39% of women feel confident in their capabilities to start a business, compared with 55% of men. This is purely down to societal stereotypes because women owned businesses can create more innovation, more progress and more creativity. Which brings me onto the use of “mumtrepreneurs” and “fempreneurs” the mere existence of these labels concludes that running your own business is seen by society as male dominated. These gender defined terms merely reinforce societal gender based expectations that you should be a mum or a female before you are a business owner therefore undermining the capability of females in business.
Your drive, dedication and passion are not gender specific. Just because you’re a woman, a wife and a mother that doesn’t mean that you can’t be in charge of your own business, work when you want and earn the salary you choose to earn!
Our BabyBeats® and Mindful Movers® business owners come from diverse backgrounds such as physiotherapy, school teachers, gymnastic coaches, fitness teachers, art gallery owners. There are also women who have NO experience of running their own businesses. BabyBeats® provides full training and constant support.
Whatever industry you’re looking at working in, we know that women owned businesses succeed…we need to stop the stereotype and believe in our own capabilities.