Wednesday Wisdom: What Do Snowflakes and Revenue have in Common for 2024

Wednesday Morning, Wednesday Wisdom, Hump Day, Advice, Inspiration

As beautiful white snowflakes fell from the sky slowly, they made a perfect backdrop for an interview I had talking about the significant changes I’ve witnessed over the past 3-decades leading woman entrepreneurs. The word I want you to focus on in the wintery description is “slowly” and then buckle into your sled because I’m taking you for a realistic ride right now.

According to the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), only 4.2% of female business owners make 1 million in annual revenue. This percentage has increased only 46% over the past 11 years! Yes, this statistic is as stark as the winter can be.

The truth is that 88% of woman-owned companies earn less than $100,000 a year in revenue. Despite an increase in female-led businesses, NAWBO states funding is still a huge problem with more than a third of global women business owners experiencing gender bias when trying to raise capital. In the U.S., the percentage is nearly 50%.

When the interviewer asked me what my biggest challenge was in establishing Women TIES, LLC, I said it was convincing everyone it was okay to have woman-only programs, woman-only speakers, woman-only financiers, and woman-only attendees because women earned less than men. Why would I give the sales and marketing spotlight and platform to men, when women needed the support?

In my city, I had both men and women disagree with me. I was shunned by some groups and leaders. It was in the outside regions of Rochester, Ithaca, and Mohawk Valley where the environment and people agreed with my mission. My feminist stance made my business and personal brand recognizable and indisputable. If someone didn’t like the idea of a woman-only everything, than they had other places and organizations to go.

So, when you think your message to the world is taking forever to take hold, hold on a bit longer. Think of the slowness of snowflakes decorating the air and finally taking hold on the ground, building themselves up to feet of snow together, sometimes stopping traffic and humans from doing what they want. They are powerful in their small ways. Their significance accumulates with others like them.

Today’s Wednesday Wisdom is to remind you of a few things. One, if you aren’t happy with your revenue, do something about it. Get counseling or coaching. Take on a stronger sales approach in 2024. Work the numbers, work the phones, and work your connections. Two, strengthen your brand identity so others understand without a doubt who you are and what you and your business stand for. There is no one exactly like you, doing what you are doing; just like every snowflake is unique. Grab ahold of your unique position and market it.

Finally, no matter what type of business or how much revenue you bring in, you can’t grow without others helping you. Make a plan to surround yourself with the right people and build up your base so you can maneuver into 2024 more successfully. Then take time to watch the snowflakes drift down from the sky inspiring and reminding you of yours and their significance.