More and more women are embarking on entrepreneurial adventures. These new girl bosses are revolutionizing sectors, driving the economy forward, and proving that success is possible regardless of gender. What if you were the new girl boss? In this article, we'll give you some tips to finally take the plunge and make your dream come true.
1 - Have confidence in yourself.
You may have been thinking about it for a while but you never dare to take the plunge. It's time to gain self-confidence. Yes, you are capable of it, as much as anyone else, as much as any man. To embark on an entrepreneurial adventure, you must put your anxieties aside and learn to love risk and failure. You won't always be able to control everything and you may not succeed the first time, but with work and determination, you will get there. The important thing is not to start out defeatist and to work on your mental state. The opinions and views of others do not matter; what will lead you to victory is your own will.
2- Remove your own brakes.
Can I start a business and have a family life?
The answer is yes. For many women, having a family life isn't compatible with starting a business. Yet it is possible. It's all a question of organization. You have to know how to draw a line between your professional and personal life. To do this, the best thing is to have a precise schedule, that is, dedicate each hour of the day to a specific activity: breakfast for the children, reading emails, phone appointments, lunches, meetings, homework, baths... And above all, keep this organization over time. You also need to know how to surround yourself well, professionally and personally. This means choosing your team carefully so you have the opportunity to take time off from time to time, choosing your entourage carefully, or calling on certain helpers to manage daily life.
3 - Build a solid business plan.
Like any other entrepreneur, you'll need to develop a solid business plan to launch your business. You'll need to define your project, research the market, and assess its financing and profitability. The more specific you are in developing your business plan, the easier it will be to secure funding and effectively build your project.
4- Look for funding.
If you have sufficient equity this step is not necessary but if not it is essential.
Unfortunately, it's proven that it's more difficult for women than for men to find funding. And even though attitudes are increasingly changing, a lack of financial resources can be a barrier to starting your business. Fortunately, there are specific grants available to help women through this stage.
The EGALITE Femmes Guarantee is the only national program dedicated to women entrepreneurs. Its goal is to facilitate women's access to bank credit to finance the creation, takeover, or development of their businesses. This structure provides a guarantee covering up to 80% of the loan, with a ceiling of €50,000.The Initiative France Honor Loan. This is an honor loan granted without a personal guarantee or interest by the Initiative France network. It allows women entrepreneurs to strengthen their equity and thus more easily access larger loans. While not replacing borrowing, it simplifies the process through leverage. The amount of the honor loan depends on the nature of the project and the equity requirements. The national average for honor loans from the Initiative network is €9,700.
Wom'energy: the women's entrepreneurship program Réseau Entreprendre is a mixed support network made up of men and women committed to job creation in the region. Specifically created to encourage women's entrepreneurship, the Wom'energy program affirms Réseau Entreprendre's commitment to supporting all business leaders at all stages of their project's development and growth, through peer-to-peer support and an interest-free loan of between €15,000 and €50,000.
Regional Action Plans for Women's Entrepreneurship (PAR) Each region has its own action plan for women, with different mechanisms. These plans offer not only financial assistance, but also support for projects or associations.
Source economie.gouv.fr
5 - Choose your team carefully.
The recruitment stage is crucial. You must choose a team that shares your values and the company's values. Don't hesitate to give "smaller profiles" a chance; they can sometimes surprise you.
6 - Have fun.
This is your adventure, so it's essential to have fun. It's what will keep you going over time.
You have the opportunity to do great things. Seize it!
