IBA, as the premier business brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest, is firmly established as a respected professional service firm in the legal, accounting, banking, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, and financial planning communities. Periodically, we will post guest blogs from professionals with knowledge to share for the good of owners of privately held companies & family owned businesses. The following blog article has been provided by business attorney Victoria Bartow of Equinox Business Law Group (www.equinoxbusinesslaw.com):
Brewing Success: Celebrating Women who GO BOLDLY in Business
October is National Women’s Small Business Month—yes, it’s a real thing and definitely worth celebrating! Women own about 40% of small businesses, and just like a fresh pot of coffee, their numbers are rapidly percolating. In the past year, women-owned businesses have grown at a remarkable rate—4.5 times that of male-owned businesses. This trend brews positivity in the workplace, offers more opportunities for female employees and infusing the marketplace with diversity and innovation.
As we savor this progress, let’s celebrate the badass women brewing success in their businesses! These trailblazers have overcome challenges, broken barriers, defied expectations, and crafted their own rich success stories —much like a perfectly brewed espresso that packs a punch. They’re the role models inspiring future generations of female entrepreneurs.
What brews women into powerful business owners?
Just like a carefully crafted blend, women bring unique strengths to the table, fostering innovation and growth. They infuse the workplace with empathy and collaboration, resulting in vibrant teams with diverse perspectives and mutual support.
Emotional Intelligence: EQ is not just a soft skill; it’s a secret weapon, much like the caffeine kick from your morning cup. Women leaders excel in understanding and addressing the needs of their teams and clients. They create environments where everyone feels valued and heard, leading to stronger team cohesion and better customer relationships. It’s not just about making profits; it’s about making meaningful connections that drive success in a positive workplace environment.
Collaboration: Women understand that brewing success is a collective effort. By fostering an atmosphere of collaboration, women leaders encourage creativity and innovation, leading to solutions as unique and satisfying as a custom coffee blend. This synergy often results in groundbreaking ideas and strategies that push businesses forward.
“Behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back.” – Unknown
Managing the Juggle: While multitasking is not ideal, the ability to juggle responsibilities is a skill women uniquely bring to business. Like a skilled barista managing multiple orders, women balance roles as business owners, caretakers, and community leaders. This skill in handling various responsibilities with grace and efficiency translates into the workplace, where women excel in managing projects and teams.
“Women are the CEOs of their lives, managing work, family, and community with unmatched dexterity.” – Unknown
Consider this: A study from the National Women’s Business Council found that women-owned businesses have been growing at double the rate of all businesses nationwide. This statistic highlights not only the entrepreneurial spirit of women but also their adeptness at navigating multiple roles simultaneously. As more women step into leadership roles, their unique ability to balance and juggle responsibilities continues to inspire and reshape the business landscape.
How can female entrepreneurs find the tools for success?
At Equinox, we embrace powerful, “bossy” women and are committed to celebrating and growing their talents. Our commitment to supporting female-led businesses starts with our own story.
Our founder and CEO, Michelle Bomberger, is an example of bold leadership. She launched Equinox over a decade ago and successfully navigated the challenges of balancing work, family, and entrepreneurship. You can hear more about her journey and insights in her interview on the Maximum Mom podcast.
Recently, Equinox achieved a major milestone by becoming certified through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). This certification is more than just a badge—it’s a gateway to new opportunities. WBENC certification ensures that a business is at least 51% woman-owned, and connects women entrepreneurs to learn, grow, and share opportunities. Members experience the unstoppable force of women empowering women through a dynamic business network that drives collaboration, fosters growth, and amplifies success across all industries!
But it doesn’t stop there. We’re also active members of women-focused leadership organizations including
Women Presidents Organization (WPO) which creates peer advisory groups for women business leaders; Women in Finance Community which elevates and connects women in finance leadership roles Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance which brings women in the finance and accounting roles together for learning and connection
These resources and networks have helped us and countless others build stronger, more resilient businesses. If you’re a woman in business, we encourage you to explore these communities—they’re invaluable for growth and connection.
When women succeed, we all succeed
As a woman-owned business, we strive to create an environment where all genders have the freedom and flexibility to love their work and to live fully outside of work. After all, when women succeed, we all succeed.
If you have questions related to the content of this article Michelle Bomberger, CEO & Managing Attorney for the Equinox Law Group, would welcome the opportunity to discuss the situation with you and/or connect you to member of her firm with relevant experience. Ms. Bomberger can be reached at (425) 250-0205 or michelle@equinoxbusinesslaw.com
IBA, the Pacific Northwest’s premier business brokerage firm since 1975, is available as an information resource to the media, business brokerage, mergers & acquisitions, and real estate communities on subjects relevant to the purchase & sale of privately held companies and family owned businesses. IBA is recognized as one of the best business brokerage firms in the nation based on its long track record of successfully negotiating “win-win” business sale transactions in environments of full disclosure employing “best practices”.