It’s the era of
#girlbosses
so why are women
still not paying each other?
Female small business owners aren't
paying each other and how this is having a
negative effect on the success of women-led
businesses in Australia.
A
recent post in a women’s entrepreneur
Facebook group made me furious, and question
the hype around the success of the #girlboss
movement. It went something like this:
“I need some website help! I had someone create a
website for me and unfortunately, he is too busy to help
me fix it. I really just need someone to go in and change a
few things for me. Would someone be willing to help me
out with this (and turn it around in a day or two)? I can
pay $50. Thanks!”
This isn’t the first time I have seen posts like this either.
54
Women’s Network Magazine
Every day there are hundreds of women posting in online
forums asking for free advice, recommendations, reviews,
tips and support from other business owners. Now don’t
get me wrong, I think it’s great that women have online
communities and spaces where they can ask questions,
test ideas, find clients and get the support they wouldn’t
otherwise get from friends and family.
But what started off as an online community has now turned
into a market space where women can get tailored, game-
changing, expert advice and work done without paying a cent
(and often without so much of a thank you). And I believe
this is having a negative effect on the success of women-led
businesses.
In Australia, 37 per cent of small business owners are women.
This is a whopping 46 per cent increase in the last 20 years,
and this number is expected to keep growing. While it still
isn’t easy being a female entrepreneur, there is more support