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Across Australia, female entrepreneurs and startup founders are carving out spaces for innovation, leadership and growth. Representing nearly one-third of America’s small business owners, these trailblazing women aren’t just participating in the economy; They’re rebuilding it.
Between 2006 and 2021, the number of female small business owners increased by 24%, more than three times the increase in male small business owners. This is a testament to the resilience, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of women across the country.
Despite this progress, women entrepreneurs continue to face a unique set of challenges that can hinder their path to success. Access to essential resources such as time, capital, and connections remains a major barrier. These constraints are more than just numbers on a page. These are real obstacles that can inhibit the potential of women-led businesses to innovate, expand, and thrive.
The journey of a female entrepreneur is marked by the struggle to find balance, secure funding, and build networks within an ecosystem that is often disadvantaged to begin with.
Navigating the business world often comes down to the networks you have available to you, reinforcing the adage, “It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know.” This principle is especially true in the realm of entrepreneurship, where the quality of connections can have a significant impact on business success.
But historically, women have found themselves on the periphery of so-called “boys’ clubs,” informal but powerful male friendship networks that protect important opportunities for advancement and success. These clubs are emblematic of a broader system of side hustles for women, creating barriers to women’s professional growth and entrepreneurship.
But within this challenge lies an opportunity for innovation and community building. By intentionally building support networks that reflect the exclusivity of boys’ clubs but are inclusive and tailored to women’s needs, we can begin to remove these barriers.
To achieve this objective, One Roof has developed Inner Circle, a bespoke program designed specifically for women entrepreneurs. Inner Circle provides a structured environment where members can find business friends and “brains” dedicated to their success. Following the success seen with the first cohort, which impacted over 200 members of her community, One Roof is now expanding the Inner Circle program to a wider public.
The entrepreneurial journey, while rewarding, can often be a lonely one, and many founders face feelings of isolation. Research highlights the importance of connection for mental well-being, but for entrepreneurs, especially women, achieving this sense of community can be difficult.
This is where initiatives like One Roof’s Inner Circle become invaluable. Serving as a trusted advisory board, Inner Her Circle provides a platform for women entrepreneurs to engage with their peers for comfort, inspiration, motivation, and accountability.
It is a place where entrepreneurship is nurtured and the sense of isolation that often accompanies business leadership is combated through shared experience and collective wisdom.
While there are respected organizations and programs that have set precedents for supporting entrepreneurs, such as YPO and Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), barriers to entry into these groups remain, especially for women in the process of scaling their businesses. It can be prohibitively expensive.
These stages of growth are critical and the need for support is paramount. The Inner Circle recognizes this gap and offers a more accessible alternative to those on the rise to success but who may not yet meet the rigorous standards of more established groups. Masu. A focus on inclusivity and support during the growth stages is critical, ensuring the journey to success is a shared experience rather than a solitary adventure.
The creation of such spaces is not simply an act of rebellion against traditional “boys’ clubs,” but requires a rethinking of how success is constructed and shared.
It’s about tearing down existing power structures that have historically marginalized women and building in their place new power structures that are inclusive, collaborative, and geared toward the success of all members.
Because when we create our own circles, we are not just circumventing barriers. We are completely dismantling them. And it’s not just good for women. That’s good for everyone.
Applications for the Inner Circle close at midnight on March 26, and diversity and financial support scholarships are available. \
Image: Francis Goh of One Roof.
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