Stepping Into The New Era of Women’s Empowerment

It’s pretty apparent my passion and purpose over the past years has been to empower women globally—through mentorship, education, financial leadership, and connections.

And obviously the events on the world stage right now have presented an enormous shift in reality. But I believe they also present a prime opportunity for women to succeed more than ever.

Today I want to reflect on... what is the next era of women’s empowerment and why is it better than ever for the world to work with women, invest in women, and support women’s leadership right NOW?

If you’ve been following for the past years, I always first come back to the actual numbers and impact.  

According to the United Nations, when women work and make money, women reinvest 90% of their income back into family and into their communities.

Women who run tech companies provide a 35% higher ROI and 12% higher revenue when venture backed over men (via Forbes). This means that women can create more earnings and then take their earnings and use them to create a better world—a stronger world—where their families, communities, and people can thrive.

So, Why Is Now Different?

Over the past years, the conversation with women’s empowerment has been on “what women needed to do” — like closing the confidence gap, eliminating imposter system, and sharing the stories of women’s struggles to create a larger discussion.

These are all vital and we’ve definitely seen a shift! And from that, we’ve also seen a shift in the business landscape. 

Women are starting businesses at higher rates than ever. Minority business women are actually starting more businesses than their white counterparts. As Fast Company shows, “Women of color account for 89% (1,625) of the new businesses opened every day over the past year.”

Women are clearly thriving in many ways. The state of women’s entrepreneurship is at an all-time high. But women are still not experiencing the same success in various elements like access to capital and traditional networks, their representation in the boardroom and in government, and misperceptions regarding market opportunities.

The issue is no longer just the confidence gap, negotiation skills, or the amount of businesses being created. 

Just like we’re seeing in this country’s current racial dynamic, there are larger, systemic issues at play, including older institutions within corporations, investing, and government.

And that’s where we need to make changes going forward—at these larger levels. We need to make sure we are truly supporting this amazing society of female entrepreneurs. And it may take more unique and interesting strategies than “normal” in these changing times.

The Future Is Bigger and Closer Than We Think 

To succeed in this world, women have always been forced to think outside the box and innovate solutions.

Sure, women have been starting businesses for years, butting their heads against the wall, and using all of their power and intellect to create businesses. But, we’re seeing that those larger financial institutions, corporations, and investors were systematically set up to not support women.

And as our world has continued to operate and mature in these same ways, it is now faced with a devastating situation with the pandemic, racial injustice, and the declining economy… 

This requires even more women stepping up to lead. This requires more women stepping up to create solutions that will change the world.

Because women naturally have the mentality of, “I’m going to protect my kids, family, and community. I’m going to think outside of the box. I’m going to vet, prepare, and execute so I reduce the rate of failure. I’m going to break through walls and do whatever it takes to survive.”

And now that mentality is front and center.

It’s almost like this global, economic chaos has forced women to step into their power even more.

Shifting To A Better, Empowered Economy  

Let’s be clear, the conversation is no longer about “fixing” the women. It’s about advocacy to the institutions and creating the infrastructure and support to make sure that the already abundant, educated, incredible women have the right box to stand on.

Women aren’t getting in their own way anymore. Women have been doing impressive things and now it’s the enterprises and government organizations where we have to make systemic changes. We have to shift these greater governing bodies who are the decision makers.

And women are taking a stand.

With the economy crumbling, with racial inequity front and center, with the historical economic and business systems no longer working—we’re seeing now that many women are saying “No more!” 

There’s no more time for self-sabotage and lack of confidence. No more time for dealing with the systems set up so long ago. No more time for sitting in the back, waiting and hoping the world will get better, without our action and input. 

It’s time to create a world where women can be supported to make even BIGGER moves.   

We want to see the world evolved in a way that’s loving, inclusive, and primed for success—where we can lock arms together—all while creating financial and life abundance. It’s almost like there is a divinely architected restructuring of the world happening right now– the things that have historically held women back for generations are dissapearing.

The band-aids have been ripped off.  

A perfect example of this shift is from our own team members at EBW. On a recent team call, our Head of EBW Global Chapters and incredible businesswoman, Linda Pringle Evans, gave one of the most emotional, powerful, and inspiring speeches I’ve heard in a long time. She discussed the issues she’s faced as a black woman leader and business owner in society despite all the hard work she’s put in, and that now, after many years of working and coming up against hurdles, she is truly saying…

“No more!”

She is stepping into her full power as a woman leader, as a black leader, as a person who impacts other leaders and is helping to create a better world.

Right now—it’s a game-changing moment for Linda where she won’t be held back by systems or institutions. When Linda said her words “No more!” this time, it felt different. All the people on the call could feel the confidence and determination. There was no more turning back. There was ONLY going forward.

And I can’t wait for other women to take this “No More. Let’s Do it!” attitude.

Welcome To the SHEconomy

Despite the chaos and uncertainty in the world, we at EBW have hope, vision, and a plan for the future.

That’s why at EBW we believe in the SHEconomy — where we lift women (and men) up through Social, Health, and Economic abundance, strategies, and success, especially along the issues that impact women.

That’s why we created SHEforPPE and partnered with the Global Black Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Ambasador Sujay Johnson Cook for our first cohort. 

SHEforPPE provides a chance for women not only to start new businesses because they’re prepared and ready to do this work, but to give them this enterprise backdrop to ensure they have access to have everything they need to be wildly successful. Because we know typically they have not been supported at scale this way.

The more we can help others feel the way Linda feels (supported, motivated, and ready to grow), while providing a system and solution for them to really utilize their talents… then we’ll create the world we want to see.

We want to give other women confidence and permission to do the same. To be able to see themselves inside a successful system.

At EBW, we act like an advocacy organization and set up our own infrastructure for women to create their own experiences as successful entrepreneurs. And then our media arm shines a light on the great work and examples women are setting. 

We see this model for the future of our global economy— where global corporations become local, create opportunities and jobs, and help close the wealth gap.  

How else? By not just employing people—but instead—by helping them build equity and ownership. By people owning a venture that builds long term value. By providing resources, thought leadership, and access to opportunities in areas that foster business growth while maintaining gender equity in the workforce.

And this new world is happening through the eyes and the actions of women leaders.

Will you join us?

Learn more about our mission and many offerings at EBW2020.com.

Best,

Ingrid