Something super interesting recently came across my desk, and I wanted to share it. We all know that the business world has been stereotypically dominated by men, but that sentiment is changing. Whether it’s through small businesses or climbing the corporate ladder, women are taking the industry by storm, and it’s important to highlight just how much they are impacting the community.
Did you know that women are now the majority owners in 35% of U.S. employer firms? Numbers also show that women own 13.8 million businesses across the country. These statistics are crucial because they underscore how women are making waves in the industry. The playing field is leveling as women break barriers and shatter stereotypes that have been imposed on them for centuries.
In the Big Apple, five women recently used their small businesses to create a significant impact on their local communities. On August 21st, these women took the stage at a local bar to share their business ideas in front of a live audience. The event, called The Pitch Show, provided a platform for these women to make bold moves toward their futures. Not only did these women make strides for themselves and their goals, but each also made a unique impact on the city.
Tracey Pridgeon, one of the participants, has been shaking up the home improvement industry with her business, “I Did It My Damn Self.” The business stems from an overwhelming feeling she had since 2012. Those words came to fruition as she navigated the construction and home improvement industry, which is typically male-dominated. She didn’t let the fear of entering this field stop her from doing it her damn self. She created this business for women who wanted to fix things but didn’t have tools designed with them in mind. Her business empowers women to take control of household fixes, giving them the power to come to their own aid.
Phumelele Kunene is another entrepreneur who is helping women, but in a different way—by helping them fix their skin. Her company, “Ebaata Skincare,” uses natural ingredients, a solution she developed after long suffering from dry and itchy skin. She also offers plant-based bath and body products to help women feel comfortable in their own skin, literally. Phumelele believes she is giving women the power back over their bodies, enabling them to make healthy decisions. Having a positive impact on the community means boosting people’s confidence and health.
Another woman making waves in the business world is Ariel Laura Metayer. She is a business developer, brand architect, and founder of “The Luminous Lab.” Her business focuses on helping women take charge of their professional development and social impact. Ariel’s main goal and mission is to provide women with the tools, knowledge, and skills they need to make an impact in their communities. She’s creating a cycle of change for women in her community.
Creating an impact doesn’t have to start later in life—these two women are getting ahead of the curve by helping children feel confident about their futures. Elissa Buxbaum and Davalois Fearon, the co-founders of “Career Mirrors,” are changing children’s lives digitally. Instead of connecting with kids on a personal level, they are doing it through technology. They understand that kids look up to role models, and it can be challenging for children to realistically plan for their futures. So, they’ve turned a video game into a teaching moment for children in elementary schools. The game allows kids to see themselves as characters who complete tasks on a road to success, helping them confidently visualize realistic career paths.
Impacting the community isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each of these women brought something new to the table, positively affecting the community in different ways. By giving women and children the confidence to make change, these entrepreneurs and their businesses are redefining the industry as a whole. Women are indeed the future of the Big Apple, and these five have proven it!
Featured Image by Christina on Unsplash
