How Women Are Taking Charge in the Small Business World
BY KEEMY MARTINEZ
Paloma Top in Tropical Lilac. Flora Rosa.
Whether family-owned or a solo passion, small businesses have been around forever.Every year, there are an average of 4.7 million businesses started in the US, about 42% of them women-owned. Although not much light is shedded on the impact these women-owned businesses have, they account for $2.7 trillion of the annual revenue in the US. In other words, they make up a huge portion of the U.S. economy.
Many people start their businesses on Etsy, “a global marketplace for unique and creative goods” as stated on their website. The goal of many of the sellers who join Etsy is to share their products with consumers so that eventually they can start a successful business on a website of their own. To get more of a personal perspective on the growth and start up of these small businesses I asked Kate Padron, the owner of SunshineSewn on Etsy who started her business back in 2020 as a side hustle before starting highschool, how was it that she grew her business, “I’ve been able to grow my brand mostly by social media and word of mouth from my friends and family. It’s all about getting the word out about the company and what I have to offer!”
Padron is one of many who have taken to social media to promote their business. SoniBloo, founder of FloraRosa, a one woman owned sustainable and 100% recycled clothing brand, has been using Instagram, a big social media platform with about 2.4 billion active users to grow her business for almost three years. Having had a business for a couple years now SoniBloo has learned valuable information as a business owner. When questioned on what was the most important thing she’s learned she said, “Consistency, discipline, and taking care of yourself. It is important to stay consistent and build structures that will lead you to become consistent in your craft and business, this is something I am still working on. Discipline is definitely a very important one as well, if you have discipline you can go far. Taking care of yourself is I think the most important because without you there is no business”.
Kate’s Bow Tote. Etsy.
As previously said, marketing plays a huge part in any successful business, but when Padron was asked what she considered the biggest success in her business she said, “The biggest success in my business has been the good reviews and feedback that I’ve received! Because what I sell is handmade, quality control and happy customers always make me proud of myself.” Reviews are a fundamental block of all small businesses. They are what let others know how they feel about the seller's product, and tend to either convince or dissuade a consumer to buy the product.
Women account for 86% of Etsy sellers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2022, 41% of women work from home, this includes mothers. When I asked Padron why she thought it was mainly women leading small businesses she said, “I think that the creativity and passion that women have for their businesses is what sets them apart. The uniqueness that I see on social media and Etsy everyday always surprises me with the vast capabilities and ideas that women have.
Especially in the handmade business, there is so much artistry,” and I couldn’t agree more. So many women, especially mothers, have so much creativity living inside of them which is the biggest reason for them to turn their heads into starting a business where they can let this creativity run free.
Women are not just changing the small business world; they’re leading it. Like the Barbie movie narrator once said, “Because Barbie can be anything, women can be anything.” To all women and young girls looking to enter this world I leave you with the words of advice from both SoniBloo and Kate Padron. “ Follow your dreams and don’t let anything stop you!” said SoniBloo. “As a young girl myself, my advice would be to just get started! Where you start and where you end up will always be two different measurements, so allow yourself to grow in the process! Take other people’s advice but also trust your own judgment! Most importantly, NEVER ever have your business just for the money. Be passionate about what you do!” said Kate Padron.
