Introducing Effie’s Entrepreneurs – Supporting Young Women in Business

Did you know that two-thirds of new businesses created in Australia over the past decade were founded by women? It’s an extraordinary statistic and shows just how rewarding small business can be as a career for women.

Unfortunately, female business owners still face bias, which means that nearly half of women-led businesses cannot access funds to grow. In fact, a survey by Australian Startup Funding found that just 10% of female founders felt highly confident they would raise the money they needed for their next round of development, compared to 63% of male founders. I think these statistics point to the fact that women in business (and leadership) face a lot of doubters and people who challenge them to justify their position. Instead, we need to be putting our trust and support in women at the early stage of business, to help them succeed.

When I started my own business, I was in the minority. Most small business owners were men, and there were very few women working in finance, let alone opening up their own shops. I remember being told that I would struggle to succeed because I was a woman. I started from zero, with no existing customers and no business partner to fund me. However, I succeeded. So much so that I’m now in a position to be able to give other women the opportunity to start their careers in finance and small business.

Of course, many women actually start their career journeys when they are still at school. They are creating online businesses or market stalls or taking on commissions and doing amazing things! It’s a fantastic way for young people to learn the value of good money habits like saving and investing.

So, I want to support these young female entrepreneurs, so they can progress their businesses and set themselves up for future success.

Over the next few months, I’ll be introducing you to Effie’s Entrepreneurs: young women who have started their own businesses while juggling school and study and everything the last few years have thrown at us!

I will profile their business here on my socials and I encourage you to get out and show your support by purchasing from them and/or sharing their stories with your own networks. I’ll also be providing a small sponsorship investment to help them on the next phase of their journey.

So stay tuned for the first entrepreneur, who will be showcased next Friday.