The Connections Bridgewater Somerville Edition April/May 2021

BUSINESS Spotlight!! According to the National Association of Women Business Owners, more than 11.6 million rms are owned by women and they generate $1.7 trillion in sales (as of 2017). And according to US Small Business Administration (SBA), women are launch- ing a net of more than 1,100 new busi- nesses every single day. THESE STATISTICS SPEAK VOLUMES. The growth and accomplishments of women are paramount; their passion and contribution, invaluable. Behind these im- pressive statistics is a beautifully balanced amalgam of their grit, perseverance, chal- lenges, and obstacles. As a community magazine, we see remarkable stories of advancements and accomplishments of local business- women and we are proud to celebrate their hard work and drive. Safra A. Catz, Co-CEO of Oracle aptly states, “I like to say it’s an attitude of not just thinking outside the box, but not even seeing the box.” These trailblazing busi- nesswomen are creating an inspirational legacy for the next generation of women entrepreneurs and in doing so are step- ping out of their proverbial “boxes” and in some cases completely obliterating the pre-de ned lines. THE FIRST WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR According to recorded history, 16-year-old Eliza Lucas Pinckney was the rst woman to set up shop way back in 1739, decades before the United States declared its indepen- dence. Her father sent her indigo plant seeds from the West Indies to diversify the rice crop. She saw the possibilities as a true entrepreneur would, and started the production of a high-quality blue indigo dye for the growing textile industry. Owing to her sharp business acumen, South Carolina’s growth of indigo exports rose to 130,000 pounds from 5,000 pounds - a remarkable achievement indeed! Challenges: Men made almost all of the nancial decisions in that time pe- riod. With the shift in societal norms, there was also a paradigm shift in the roles of women. From managing homes to managing of ces, women formally entered the workforce during World War II paving the way for “female entrepreneurship.” They worked in de- fense plants, in the army, as nurses, drivers, and secretaries, and still suc- cessfully managed their households. SHATTERING THE GLASS CEILING The collective force of women’s lead- ership capabilities started positively im- pacting the economy and the society and by the 20th century we were hon- ored to see the rise of charismatic wom- en leaders like Margaret Rudkin, the cre- ator of Pepperidge Farm; Estee Lauder, who co-founded her eponymous cos- metic line, and many more successful businesswomen like Oprah Winfrey, and Martha Stewart. Challenges: Up until 1988 a woman entrepreneur needed a man to co-sign on her business loan. THE UPWARD TRAJECTORY CONTINUES Today, women business owners are moving the goalpost farther, achieving higher and inspiring scores of others. Anne Wojcicki, the co-founder of 23AndMe, Reshma Saujani, the found- er of Girls Who Code to name a few makes the elite list of women entrepre- neurs who have broken barriers in the business world. Challenges: Balancing both personal and professional demands. THE COMMON DENOMINATORS: DREAMS, DRIVE, AND DETERMINATION Whether the head of a giant con- glomerate or a proud small business owner, these women truly shine with sparks of passion and fortitude. They see opportunities, embrace the chal- lenges, and fuel themselves with en- thusiasm. Women in business mean busi- ness! And we, The Connection Mag- azines, are delighted to be part of the movement that started centuries ago with Eliza Lucas Pinckney and contin- ues with the likes of all of YOU savvy women business owners. Resources: https://www.sbdcnet.org/sbdc-national-blog/ women-in-business-brief-history https://www.sbdcnet.org/small-business-infor- mation-center/women-and-minorities https://smallbiztrends.com/2018/12/histo- ry-of-women-entrepreneurs.html SHE DREAMS, SHE PERSEVERES, SHE SUCCEEDS: CELEBRATING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS Women in business mean business! And we, The Connection Magazines, are delighted to be part of the movement that started centuries ago with Eliza Lucas Pinckney and continues with the likes of all of you savvy women business owners. These trailblazing businesswomen are creating an inspirational legacy for the next generation of women entrepreneurs and in doing so are stepping out of their proverbial “boxes” and in some cases completely obliterating the pre-de ned lines. by Prachi Jain