Empowering Women in Business: Strategies, Opportunities, and Leadership

One of the greatest shifts we’ve witnessed in the last few decades is the rising influence and presence of women in the business world. Across countless industries and sectors, women continue to break down barriers, shatter glass ceilings and carve out their place at the decision-making table. 

But it would be foolish to think these achievements have been without their challenges and the research is clear that we still have a very long journey ahead of us. At the current rate of change, it is estimated by the UN we are still 5 generations away from achieving gender parity and women still only represent around 10% of executive roles at FTSE firms. 

Therefore, it is imperative we continue to prioritise supporting women to lead in a way that enables them to be at their best, sustain their performance and not feel forced to compromise their well-being, values or ability to be present in their relationships.  

Of course, everyone’s journey is different, but by looking at the incredible rise of female entrepreneurs and leaders and the hurdles they have faced along the way, we can start to understand how strategies for empowerment can pave the way for even greater success for others. 

As an executive coach for female leaders and entrepreneurs, I am incredibly passionate about sharing this knowledge, in order to support and empower women to realise their full potential and learn to lead with authenticity and confidence. 

Regardless of where you are in your journey - at the very start or already leading a thriving business - there is always room to grow, learn and empower others along the way. 

So let’s look at the current state of affairs when it comes to women in business, the challenges many of us are likely to face and the strategies you can employ to empower yourself to seize the amazing opportunities waiting for you out there.

The Landscape of Women in Business Today

There’s no doubt that there is growing success for women in business. Every year, the number of women branching into entrepreneurship grows - in 2022 for example, women in the UK established over 150,000 new companies, which was more than double that in 2018. In addition, 20.5% of all new companies incorporated in the same year were all-female-led - a 4.5% increase from 2018. Amongst the sectors that have seen huge swathes of female entrepreneurs are health and wellness, fashion, food and beverage, and education.

Whilst it’s important to celebrate the success and achievement of women everywhere who embark on entrepreneurship, it’s also important to address the challenges they still face. We know that the Covid pandemic had a disproportionately negative effect on women due to the caring load. Added to this, men were more likely than women to gain funding across every industry sector, including the care sector which is predominantly made up of female employees and business owners. In Scotland specifically, women-led businesses only made up 13.3% of the total successful applications for grant funding and the overall value of funding received by women was only 10.6% of the total funding distributed.

It’s vital to also consider the intersectionality of gender with race, ethnicity and socio-economic status. The proportion of non-white entrepreneurs is incredibly small, highlighting the additional challenges facing women from ethnic minorities when it comes to breaking into the world of business. It also highlights the need for more inclusive solutions, so that all women regardless of background or ethnicity have the same opportunities to achieve their full potential.

Key Challenges Facing Women in Business

Gender bias and stereotypes have always been the most common obstacles facing women in business. From the boardroom to the hiring process, unconscious bias plays a part in influencing decisions and hindering opportunities for advancement. Being able to break free from these stereotypes requires not only individual resilience but a huge shift within organisations and society as a whole.

We know that 87% of organisations who have diverse teams outperform those that don’t. So a focus on equality is not only the right thing to do ethically, it’s also very good for business,

But there are still significant structural barriers to overcome. 

The struggle to balance personal and professional responsibilities often falls disproportionately on the shoulders of women. Juggling caregiving duties and household management along with career ambitions can be overwhelming and sadly leads many women to opt out of the workforce altogether and settle for less than they deserve. Many of us would agree it’s an outdated narrative, but it’s clear that society as a whole is yet to catch up.

Access to resources and opportunities is another critical issue that can harm women’s path to success. On the whole, women start businesses with 53% less capital on average than men and are less aware of funding options available to them. Opportunities to scale are also limited with only 1% of all venture funding going to businesses founded by all-female teams. 

Furthermore, women are far less likely to access mentorship and networking opportunities with influential contacts compared to their male counterparts. Bridging this gap certainly requires huge efforts to level the playing field and provide support for all aspiring entrepreneurs, regardless of gender, race or social background. It’s exactly why I do the work that I do. 

Strategies for Empowerment

Whilst the challenges that you’re likely to come across may seem huge and hard to navigate, the good news is there are research-based strategies you can put in place to help overcome them. 

Here are four simple, proven strategies which can empower you to face obstacles head-on, achieve your goals and ultimately big achievements for you and your business.

Mentorship: This alone is one of the most powerful tools for empowerment. The guidance, support and valuable insights you can gain from an experienced professional who has walked before you, made mistakes and learned from them are second to none. Whether you’re seeking a mentor to help navigate your career path or looking to pay it forward by mentoring others, the mentor-mentee relationship can be transformative for both parties.

Networking: Actively engaging with like-minded individuals, attending industry events and leveraging online platforms, you can expand your network and tap into a wealth of opportunities for both collaboration and growth. Building strong professional relationships and communities is yet another highly effective tool for empowerment.

Education & Training: These two essential components of empowerment, provide women with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the business world. Take your pick from formal education programmes, workshops or online courses; what’s important is that lifelong learning can empower you to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to the ever-changing demands of business.

Personal Branding: Establishing a strong identity and being able to differentiate yourself in a competitive landscape is another key aspect which will help you grow in confidence and position yourself for more success. By crafting a compelling narrative, showcasing your unique strengths and leveraging digital platforms such as LinkedIn, you can amplify your visibility and attract people and opportunities that align with your vision and ambitions. 

This is one of my favourite things to help my clients do as showing the world who you truly are and tapping into the contribution you feel called to make, is where the magic happens. 

Seizing Opportunities in the Modern Business World

In our digital age, the barriers to entry have never been lower, thanks to the influence of online platforms. From e-commerce websites to social media channels, women have unprecedented access to global markets and audiences, allowing them to launch and scale their businesses in a way that can fit their lifestyle and help them have more balance and autonomy. 

The rise of female-centric business communications and platforms has provided a supportive ecosystem for women to connect, collaborate and most importantly, thrive. 

Whether through online forums, networking events or mentorship programmes, these initiatives create a sense of belonging and solidarity among women in business and empower them to share resources, exchange ideas and celebrate and uplift one another. It’s exactly why I love to run group programmes like Activate Your Feminine Edge. Deep healing and transformation can be achieved when you are in a space where you feel safe to be vulnerable and celebrate success. 

But these opportunities aren’t going to land in your lap through luck. Success still takes focus, commitment and of course action,  so it’s important to stay committed, and proactive and constantly look ahead for emerging trends and market gaps so that you’re ready to capitalise on these opportunities. 

By embracing innovation, cultivating a growth mindset and seizing chances with confidence, you can position yourself as a leader and trailblazer in your respective industry.

However, empowerment isn’t just about you - it’s about all women. Whether through mentorship, sponsorship or advocacy campaigns, you can use your voice and platform to champion and support other women. 

In particular, you can amplify the voices of those who are underrepresented and marginalised and therefore help bring others to the table and level the playing field so the rules of engagement in the business world are fair for all.

My role as an Ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland has been a source of real joy and it has also given me a huge opportunity to use my voice and leadership in service of others. Having a seat at the table to influence government policy, be a visible role model and be invited to speak on international stages has enabled me to create a positive contribution to many women in Scotland and internationally. 

Leadership from a Female Perspective

As women, we have grown up with societal conditioning that sets both implicit and explicit expectations of what it means to be a woman, a leader, a partner, a parent, a homemaker - the list is endless.

Perfectionism, people pleasing, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, overwhelm - these are all things I’ve personally grappled with and have helped my clients to overcome in the work we do together. 

Here are my top tips that if you put into action, will help you make a bigger difference without risking burnout and enable you to achieve increasing balance in your life and career. 

• Take action before you feel fully ready: learn to seek out opportunities and say yes before you feel fully ready.
• Be yourself, not who you think people expect you to be: It’s exhausting pretending to be who others want you to be. So instead, be bold and embrace who you truly are, feminine qualities and all and be. Your authenticity is the most powerful asset you have, so use it!
• Learn to say no: As a reforming people pleaser, I know at times the struggle is real! But you deserve to put yourself first and not feel beholden to anyone. This is how you can be at your best for everyone who looks to you for leadership and support in a way that is sustainable and doesn’t leave you feeling secretly resentful of those you love most.
• Have clear, rock-solid boundaries: Work out exactly what these are and then stick to them. It might feel hard at first, but in the long run, it will be one of the best decisions you will ever make in achieving success and balance.
• Lead from your values: Don’t default on your integrity and stick to what you know is right and what you value about yourself, others and life in general. This will underpin many of the above tips too, allowing you to stick to boundaries easily and give you the confidence to say no and be your true self. 
• Listen to your body: From cycles to seasons, we are not wired to perform in the same way as men. We have biological, neurological, and chemical differences - hello hormones - that means sustaining our success over the long term without risking burnout demands a performance strategy that takes these specific needs into account. When I work with clients we create a strategy to help them unlock their Feminine Edge that allows them to embrace these differences without sacrifice.

Hear from some women who have taken the leap to invest in themselves

"Mel is an amazing coach and business mentor. She has really helped me to dream bigger and bolder and make decisions in my business that I wouldn’t have done alone. Her group sessions are both inspiring and energising using strategy and planning tools that are so practical you can really put them into action immediately. I would highly recommend Mel to anyone who wants to stretch the potential of their feminine edge." The world would be a better place - Gail Partridge, Founder, Executive and Performance Coach

"I have known and worked with Mel now for some time, and every second has been a joy. Her approach and style is refreshing, authentic and generous. Mel supports and enables a growth focused environment in the best possible way. With creativity, trust, transparency and collaboration, she encourages a way of doing business differently, to positive effect. I couldn’t recommend her more as a coach, partner and advisor." - Rebecca Hamilton, C-Suite Marketing Leader - CXO - Global Commercial Marketing Professional - Data, Digital, Consumer Brand Expert

Are you a woman in business seeking strategies to amplify your impact and reach new heights? 

If so, I’d love to be your guide. Working together starts with a conversation to understand more about who you are, your ambitions and the challenges you face. If we feel excited about collaborating and partnering (when you know, you know!) we’ll create a strategy and a plan that contains tried-and-true strategies and insights tailored for you to reach your next level as a female entrepreneur and leader.  Find some time for us to connect using this link.

The journey to gender equality in business is far from over, but the path forward is certainly clearer. 

Dedication, resilience and collective action are required to create a future where every woman has an opportunity to succeed on her own terms. 

By continuing to uplift, mentor and support one another, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and empowered business world. More importantly, by coming together we have the strength to shatter glass ceilings and build a brighter future for generations to come. 

Ready to stand up and be counted? If so, I’d love to collaborate with you and help you be who you came here to be. Book a call with me here!