So I did the pop-up at Staples Coquitlam for International Women's Day and I felt a bit mixed about the experience.
I felt like I was the only woman entrepreneur at the event. :(
There was one other table, but it was staffed by 2 females and 2 males. At first I thought the men were just there to help setup the table, as that's common at events. It's lot to carry and setup, so having help is great!
However, the men stayed throughout the event and they "manned" the booth, talking to customers about the technology in the MLM product they were selling & the men were the ones who did the demos too.
At one point a customer said to me, "Why don't they have International Men's Day?" I thought, because *THIS*! Even on International Women's Day and at an event devoted to "networking opportunities with local women entrepreneurs", the only other table was dominated by men.
Yes, the table was staffed by 50% women, but the women weren't the ones explaining the tech or doing the demos. I would have LOVED it if they were! I'm acquaintances with one of the woman who was at the other table and she's lovely; I just wish SHE had been the one leading the table, explaining the tech, and doing the demos!
I also wish more local women entrepreneurs attended the event. It would have been nice to meet more local women entrepreneurs.
I do appreciate that selling MLM products is a business operation, but it's not quite the same as being an entrepreneur. I think participating in an MLM is similar to working as a salesperson who works on commission.
The MLM provides the product, the marketing materials, etc. Your job is the sell the product & the share of the profits you get is clearly defined by the MLM.
An entrepreneur is someone who designs, launches and runs a new business. And that is something I would like to see more women do!
I think that women should start and run businesses! I think that for far too long women have had difficultly getting equal pay, difficulty breaking through the glass ceiling, and clearly as we've heard in the last year, women are still encountering a lot of harassment at all sorts of businesses, including some that were thought to be progressive and run by younger people. This isn't just a problem in the past or with a certain older generation. This is a culture issue.
I think that if you're a women that has a seat at the table, who is in a position of leadership, that's great! I believe you should use your voice to speak up and make sure others get heard.
If you don't have a seat at the table, then I think you should consider making your own table! Can't break through the glass ceiling, found your own company and there is no ceiling to hold you back!
I think it is time for women to step up, to lead.
I did have good conversations with a number of people who stopped by my table and I did meet one other local woman entrepreneur, so that part was great!
I also saw in the news today that a record number of women in the US are running for congress, which I think is awesome! I'd love to see representation get a lot closer to 50% in every country!
I felt like I was the only woman entrepreneur at the event. :(
There was one other table, but it was staffed by 2 females and 2 males. At first I thought the men were just there to help setup the table, as that's common at events. It's lot to carry and setup, so having help is great!
However, the men stayed throughout the event and they "manned" the booth, talking to customers about the technology in the MLM product they were selling & the men were the ones who did the demos too.
At one point a customer said to me, "Why don't they have International Men's Day?" I thought, because *THIS*! Even on International Women's Day and at an event devoted to "networking opportunities with local women entrepreneurs", the only other table was dominated by men.
Yes, the table was staffed by 50% women, but the women weren't the ones explaining the tech or doing the demos. I would have LOVED it if they were! I'm acquaintances with one of the woman who was at the other table and she's lovely; I just wish SHE had been the one leading the table, explaining the tech, and doing the demos!
I also wish more local women entrepreneurs attended the event. It would have been nice to meet more local women entrepreneurs.
I do appreciate that selling MLM products is a business operation, but it's not quite the same as being an entrepreneur. I think participating in an MLM is similar to working as a salesperson who works on commission.
The MLM provides the product, the marketing materials, etc. Your job is the sell the product & the share of the profits you get is clearly defined by the MLM.
An entrepreneur is someone who designs, launches and runs a new business. And that is something I would like to see more women do!
I think that women should start and run businesses! I think that for far too long women have had difficultly getting equal pay, difficulty breaking through the glass ceiling, and clearly as we've heard in the last year, women are still encountering a lot of harassment at all sorts of businesses, including some that were thought to be progressive and run by younger people. This isn't just a problem in the past or with a certain older generation. This is a culture issue.
I think that if you're a women that has a seat at the table, who is in a position of leadership, that's great! I believe you should use your voice to speak up and make sure others get heard.
If you don't have a seat at the table, then I think you should consider making your own table! Can't break through the glass ceiling, found your own company and there is no ceiling to hold you back!
I think it is time for women to step up, to lead.
I did have good conversations with a number of people who stopped by my table and I did meet one other local woman entrepreneur, so that part was great!
I also saw in the news today that a record number of women in the US are running for congress, which I think is awesome! I'd love to see representation get a lot closer to 50% in every country!
RSS Feed
