Gender Stereotypes and Entrepreneurs - How we can overcome these limiting beliefs

Let's talk about gender, mindset, and limiting beliefs. 

If you've followed my social posts, I've shared about the women's entrepreneurship program I've completed - Bank of America Institute for Women's Entrepreneurship at Cornell. Our first course focused on gender and the role it can play in entrepreneurism. While I am aware that gender influences business, I also felt that I didn't play into gender stereotypes. 

My parents were intentional about allowing me to follow my passions and try different things. With that type of upbringing, I can believe that I am truly capable of being and doing whatever I want. Of course, that belief has pluses and minuses because I am the type of person who, after watching HGTV or Youtube, believes they can completely change the tub into a shower. 😂 

Despite seeking to raise my daughter the same, I was shocked and saddened to discover that I had helped perpetuate a gender stereotype. My son uses a stockpile to invest in fractions of shares in the stock market. And we've given him some seed money to do that. When it hit me - why didn't we offer, encourage, promote our daughter doing the same? She's the oldest! I sought to appease myself by insisting that it was because she hadn't expressed an interest. I didn't express an interest in learning how to change a tire or oil, but my father didn't let that stand, so why did I?  

It's simple - when it comes to money, men and women are treated differently. 

Women start businesses at higher rates than men but typically with lower profit margins. And that business start-up rate is even higher when you speak of minority-owned businesses. Despite limited access to venture capital funds and additional hurdles, we forge ahead with the hopes of figuring it out as we go.

All of these thoughts reminded me of a Vivian Kaye talk entitled What would Chad do? Chad is a stereotypical kind of guy because he's not as smart as he thinks he is. He doesn't know half as much as he thinks he knows. But his confidence is through the roof. 

Sometimes you have to ask yourself, what would Chad do? 

For starters, Chad would start a business with higher profit margins. 

Chad wouldn't be afraid of failing because society has empowered him to believe that he won't. 

That Chad confidence is how all women should operate. 

A helpful resource is the book, The Confidence Code by Katty Kay & Claire Shipman. 

My daughter isn't ready to invest in the stock market, but we have started to have conversations about money, investing, and running a business. She's also following some millennial women who speak about money. She has chosen this method, and I'm honoring her process. I'm grateful I had that aha moment to start the conversation.

Kiva Slade is the CEO and Founder of The 516 Collaborative.

She is a Certified Online Business Manager® who partners with mid 6-7 figure business owners serving as their confidante, voice of reason and manager of all things operations, teams, and projects.

Kiva holds a Master's degree in Public Administration and has operated her own jewelry business. Her 20 years of experience run the gamut from Legislative Director for a member of Congress to chief encouragement officer for her teenage children.

In her free time, you can find her indulging in gluten free desserts, playing in the dirt in her garden, or with a good book.