Their Two Cents

Earning a seat at the coveted table where decisions are made is no easy feat; especially when the path for women and minorities is riddled with varying obstacles and prejudices. Amplifying these individuals’ stories will not only help foster a stronger community of like-minded innovators, but also help budding young women and minorities gain these critical seats. The past three blog posts have highlighted some extremely empowered and driven young women working to break down the barriers within the entrepreneurial industry. Although each of their ventures operate in varying industries, Bilah, Shi, and McDonald all gave similar, valuable advice. Each entrepreneur discussed that the seeds of social reform need to be planted now to enable women’s upward mobility. This starts with societal recognition that being a mother gives women unique qualifications and strengths rather than it being a burden in the workplace as McDonald describes. Once employers are able to see that motherhood amplifies one’s ability to multitask, communicate, and organize, female representation in the workforce will increase. One barrier posed upon women’s path to success is insufficient access to adequate childcare. McDonald is removing this obstacle through her venture, Project Matriarch’s, in order to create a more equitable future. McDonald’s venture embodies Shi’s idea that an entrepreneur should embody the belief of “doing well by doing good.” This idea encompasses the belief that ventures can be successful while simultaneously making a positive impact. Shi, similar to this blog, is documenting minority’s and women’s voices in an attempt to amplify their stories and struggles. 

Shi equates entrepreneurs to sponges, always soaking up knowledge and advice whenever possible. Bilah “Actively” represents this as she advises young entrepreneurs that networking is one of the most critical aspects of success. Knowing how to ask the proper questions is critical in order to get productive and actionable feedback which Bilah outlines are an imperative step to success. 

Entrepreneurship has the power to increase upward mobility for minorities and women as these specific groups both have unique problems that need solving. Breaking down the barriers put in place to stop upward mobility starts with a societal understanding that these markets have niche problems that are profitable. In doing so, this will increase investment in minority and women-run start-ups which inevitably will bring these voices to the table. Society is historically cyclical. It is voices and innovators such as Bilah, McDonald, and Shi who not only strive to break this cycle themselves, but simultaneously enable others to do so with their groundbreaking ideas.