I See You...

It’s International Women’s Day so naturally, I am taking the time to reflect on my career. Google says the theme for this year is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.” Wow seriously, what have we been waiting for?

I started this business in 2014 as a side hustle and it wasn’t until about 4 years ago that my mom used the term “entrepreneur” in describing my side hustle because honestly, women do what they do. I was literally dumbfounded when she said I was an entrepreneur. Many women start microbusinesses to not only supplement their income but to create work environments that allow them to raise their kids and give back to the community. My kids are almost adults now and for the longest time, before I even started my business, I was working just to pay for childcare costs. I needed that mental stimulation, and I didn’t want too big of a gap in my resume. Ah, the dreaded resume gap.

I was up at the ass crack of dawn before the kids to shower and eat a quick breakfast while checking my work email. Then I would wake the kids and get them ready and off to daycare. I’d drive into work, spend 8.5 hours (with that mandatory 30-minute lunch break) doing my thing, then head for home. I’d pick up the kids, stop at the grocery store to get a somewhat healthy dinner on the table and then head off to night classes. I had this brilliant idea to get my master’s degree before my second child arrived. Ask me about how that plan completely backfired! Sometimes I don’t know how I did it. Or if I was just completely crazy.

My story isn’t much different from other women though. Over the years I’ve met some amazing women entrepreneurs and let me tell you, it does take a village because there still exists a patriarchal system – our role is still caregiver first and we earn consistently less than men. As younger women enter the workforce these stats are slowly changing. Covid also put an interesting lens on women in the workforce. It presented an opportunity for all of us to reconsider women’s work and to recognize our contributions, (hopefully) transitioning to an economy that blends family, health, and “informal” labor. Suddenly work/life balance was brought into the forefront as women were forced to leave the workforce in droves because their kids were required to attend virtual classes.

I guess what I’m trying to say here is that I see you and I am inspired by you. I see all of you selfless women hustling because that’s what women do. I see that you are tired. I see that the struggle is real. Even more importantly, I see your success. I know that you are here to lift me up just as I am here to lift you. Keep going. You’ve got this. Now let's celebrate!

The future is female