The Rooms Where "It" Happens
For too long, women have been excluded from the rooms where "it" happens. Where a chance conversation leads to a game-changing client. Where a handshake seals a multimillion-dollar deal. In other words: where access, opportunity, and influence intersect to create success.
These rooms have historically been dominated by men—on the golf courses, in the private clubs, and at the informal gatherings where careers and businesses are quietly accelerated.
What Does "It" Mean?
“It” is the unspoken but vital alchemy of opportunity and connection. It’s the moment when someone advocates for you in your absence. It’s the introductions to investors, the mentorship from industry leaders, and the trust-building that turns conversations into contracts.?
For women in business, being excluded from these spaces has had tangible consequences: limited funding, reduced access to key decision-makers, and fewer opportunities to advance.?
Women-led businesses receive only 2.1% of venture capital funding globally, despite research showing they deliver higher returns on investment. In corporate spaces, women hold just 10% of executive positions at the top Fortune 500 companies. These are the rooms—both formal and informal—where influence is built, yet women remain underrepresented in them.?
The Rooms We’ve Built
At FFinc, we think if the doors won’t open, it’s time to create your own spaces. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to design the rooms where it happens—rooms that not only welcome women but are built to empower them, to level the playing field, and to create opportunities that are often reserved for others.?
Networking events
At The F Word, for example, "it" is the act of naming our challenges and transforming them into stepping stones for growth. Women share their vulnerabilities, learn practical strategies for success, and leave with newfound confidence and networks. The magic lies in the shared energy of fearless women willing to lift one another. Whether addressing financial fears or celebrating resilience, The F Word proves that transformation begins with connection.
Accelerators for women in leadership
The room where it happens can also be an accelerator, like The EmpowHer Programme, which provided 12 female founders with the tools and community they need to succeed.?
领英推荐
This programme, co-created with Cripps, represents a room where practical skills—in business pitches, mastering legal agreements and navigating the unique challenges of being a female entrepreneur—meet collaborative support and investor face time.?
Shared experiences
Other rooms are intimate by design, offering deep connection and inspiration. The Women of Note experience, held in partnership with Montblanc, brought together accomplished women to celebrate stories of resilience, artistry, and leadership.
In this room, "it" is the blending of shared history and vision. Participants explored stories of pioneering women like Grete Gross, reflecting on how leadership shapes legacy. The space also inspired collaboration, offering its formidable attendees a platform to exchange ideas and form lasting connections.?
We Need These Rooms?
When women come together in one room, it’s not just about what we discuss. It’s about the collective energy, the validation of shared struggles, and the amplification of each other’s voices. The value lies in the community itself—a reminder that you’re never navigating this journey alone.
So What are You Going to Do About It??
So, how can you create the rooms where "it" happens in your own life? Start by identifying the gaps in your network and seeking out the spaces that align with your goals. Build intentional connections, reach out to mentors, and don’t hesitate to gather a group of like-minded individuals to brainstorm, collaborate, or simply share stories.
Ask yourself: Who do I need on my personal board? What knowledge or resources do I need to take the next step? And most importantly, how can I give back—ensuring that the rooms I create are ones of mutual growth and support?
At FFinc, we believe in the power of women to shape their own destinies. The rooms where it happens aren’t just about access; they’re about rewriting the rules and ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to thrive.?
The doors are open… Will you step in?