http://www.womensbusinessresearch.org/minoritynumbers.html
Solely looking at the numbers provided by this research group focusing on women in business, if I was in the market for a new job, I would stick to a woman of color entrepreneur like bees on honey. Show me the money, honey!
Colored states = highest rate of women-owned businessesThe Center for Women's Business Research, which compiles amazingly detailed reports on women in business, reports that:
Firms owned by women of color are growing at six times the rate of all U.S. firms, according to the Center for Women's Business Research's 2004 biennial update.
Between 1997 and 2004, the number of privately-held firms that are 51% or more owned by women of color grew by 54.6%, while all privately-held firms in the United States grew by 9.0%.
What this tells me is that, on top of the guiding principal that women of color in business should always look out for and actively support each other, if you are looking for new work or an updated challenge in your field, seek out one of your sisters!Between 1997 and 2004, the number of privately-held firms that are 51% or more owned by women of color grew by 54.6%, while all privately-held firms in the United States grew by 9.0%.
We have got to look out for each other, and when we make it, we need to be sure to reach behind and give a helping hand to those of us coming up behind us.
Between 1997 and 2004, African-American women-owned businesses grew by 32.5%, while Hispanic women-owned businesses grew by nearly 64%.
The two groups seeing the largest growth in women-owned firms are Asian and Pacific Islanders and Native Americans/Alaska Natives (both grew by 69.3%).
The two groups seeing the largest growth in women-owned firms are Asian and Pacific Islanders and Native Americans/Alaska Natives (both grew by 69.3%).
You go girlz!
How many of us never had an understanding, access to, or information about the different types of resources that help women succeed?
How many of us are behaving in ways that were never role-modeled for us while we were growing up? (How *do* you dress for a presentation? What *is* appropriate behavior for our society? Who *does* make the big decisions, and how do we get to those positions?)
Again, my solution is that we seek each other out, and constantly increase our knowledge and understanding together!
How is this playing out in my life?
In one of the networking groups I'm a part of, the women of color who are coming are absolute inspirations, and include Vicki Williams of V. Sheree Communications, the hottest up-and-coming marketing and PR firm in this area.
Also author, speaker, and financial educator Ronda Franklin-Sanchez, who does premier client banking for you over at Bank of America, as well as Tricia Maristela, another Filipina-American from Futurity Inc, which focuses on home mortgage, insurance, and asset protection, particularly for minorities.
Kamala Appel has done incredible international documentaries through her video productions company: is that a cheetah that she's sitting next to? 
Our investment advisor speaker yesterday, Lu Vazquez, had great insights about compound interest and asset allocation over time. Now, given a choice, do most people want to work with other people who they like, respect, admire, and feel good about? I do.
So give me a choice, ladies! Give me an active way to find you and take advantage of your products and services!
This is an excellent post, Monica. I'm thrilled to see my state (Washington) as one of the shaded states. Very interesting!
Posted by: Melonie K. Murray | March 27, 2006 9:30 PM | Permalink to Comment