I often recall 2013 as a year of much learning about women's entrepreneurship and women’s history, for that matter. Seeing my wife's dream of opening a bridal boutique serving the community as a social enterprise got me into advocating for women's entrepreneurship. Her dream came true that same year, and so did my passion for entrepreneurship and business coaching. I often think about how many women like her are in our community who have a passion for a cause and a passion for entrepreneurship and want to make an impact to better our community.
I want to say that these are women who are also making history. Some may not make it to a history book, but most are making history by changing patterns within their family line. Some others are starting businesses that had been in their mother's and grandmother's desires but never came to fruition. I like to think that these are women making history as well.
Since March is Women’s History Month, I would like to encourage all women who currently own a business or are thinking about starting a business to not give up on their dream or idea. You may be just starting something never done before in your family line or perhaps teaching the next generations what it takes to be a woman of leadership in the community. I know, running a business while balancing life can be quite challenging, but history repeatedly tells us that women are pivotal for business and entrepreneurship.
Women like Rebecca Lukens (1794 – 1854), who, after losing her husband, father, and son, took over the ironworks business and converted it into a giant corporation after long decades of battle over the company with other family members. Another entrepreneurial history maker is Lydia Estes Pinkham (1819 – 1883). She turned her kitchen family’s stove and cellar into a business to manufacture a vegetable compound treatment for women’s menstrual discomfort after her husband’s business shut down during the 1873 financial crisis. Let’s not forget about Sarah Breedlove (1867 – 1919), who, overcoming racism and sexism, became the first self-made millionaire Black woman in history by selling her own line of hair products door to door.
These are only a few of the pioneering entrepreneurial women who shaped history, and I am sure history-making didn’t end with them. It continues with you, women of all ethnicities, backgrounds, and lines of business. You are at the threshold of something great if you continue with your dream business. Like I said before, you may not make a history book, but you can most definitely make history in someone else’s book or life, so keep going.
Happy Women’s History Month,
Alex Magallanes
Economic Development Specialist and Business Coach