Generally speaking today's women tend to be much more progressive when it comes to behavior and outlook than those of previous generations. Needs and attitudes have changed, as is reflected in how women feel about themselves and how they perceive themselves in the workplace.
Today's professional woman is more likely to not put up with unfair practices such as disproportionate pay structures or unacceptable harassment. Others simply need a change of environment or really want to be independent. Below you will find some examples of women with strong entrepreneurial tendencies who have shown that there IS a new job market out there.
IN THE MEDIA
Oprah Winfrey
Ever present amongst the world's most powerful women, glamorous Oprah Winfrey has what it takes. As one of the most recognizable brands with successful endeavors in television and printing and the driving force behind the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, Oprah has shown all female would-be business owners that guts, perseverance and stamina are some of the qualities needed to make it on your own. Oprah makes the lists of the world's richest and most powerful women year after year, without exception.
If you're brave, you too can break away from working for others; determination is what's needed, and you too may write your own success story. Oprah has been an icon with millions of followers from all around the globe for many, many years.
Angela Benton
Founder and CEO of NewMe, Angela has shown that with determination the odds can be beaten. Giving birth to her first child at 16 did not stop Angela from becoming a force to be reckoned with as she launched Black Web 2.0 a few years ago and then in 2010 NewMe. Hugely successful from humble beginnings, Angela is now a leader in the field of online marketing and technology and widely admired for her courage.
FOOD AND CATERING
Gutsy duo, sisters Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagneThese two ladies have shown the world that giving up a stable, salaried job may be just what is needed to be the architect of your own success. It did not take them many years to grow a mini empire from one building in DC where they opened Georgetown Cupcake, to becoming best-selling cookbook authors, reality TV stars and the owners of various shops around the United States.
Lynn Bolton
Known as the founder of the small business Head in the Clouds Luxury Meringues and working from home in Faversham, Kent in the UK, Lynn is fast becoming a well-known face at fairs and her meringues are starting to appear in various bakeries and confectionery shops around the UK. Having developed 40 flavors and having been featured on Sky TV, Lynn believes the future looks bright; she is quite proud of her achievements in a very short space of time, and rightfully so. The recession of 2008 was just what Lynn needed to find her niche and prove to herself that adversity is often not the end of the line, but that it sometimes may herald successful new beginnings.
WRITE!Arianna Huffington
According to Technorati, mega powerful Arianna is the owner of the world's top blog. Not everyone will create another Huffington Post, but we do live in the times where almost nobody can survive either socially or professionally without sharing information. Great opportunities have opened up in the world of writing if you believe you can write for other people. If you have a fair grasp of what it means to be a word-worker, then you should not be at a loss for opportunity. Some owners of websites, some magazine editors, even your community newspaper may be waiting for you!
Or better still, start your own blog! The internet shares a wealth of information for would-be writers on how to make it on their own. Maybe you're a good editor or proofreader? The opportunities are out there! For those looking for flexibility, freelancing may be a good option, as writers often work from home.
THE EXCITING WORLD OF GAMING/GAMBLINGVanessa Selbst
Very successful in the world of professional gambling with quite a resume and only in her early 30s, Vanessa Selbst is the highest female tournament earner in poker history. Although she holds a degree from Yale Law School, Vanessa decided to opt for a career where she could fulfill her ambition to be independent and put her strong entrepreneurial talents to great use. A real contender on the tour, this lady has shown the world that a competitive nature and steely reserve can indeed pay great dividends.
MORE SUCCESS STORIES!Janine Allis
Another story to inspire is that of Janine Allis, the plucky Australian who has built her Boost Juice Bars from her kitchen counter into a huge global brand that is found in almost 20 countries worldwide, in 350 shops! With no formal business training but an eye for a good idea, she got a brain wave which she turned into a hugely profitable business when the idea of grabbing something fruity and fresh as you find yourself on the go popped into her head.
Lisa Price
Carol's Daughter line of beauty products came about when Lisa, while working on the set of The Cosby Show, started making organic beauty products in her kitchen, back in the 80s. Starting out as a mail-order business and venturing online, Lisa opened shop in Brooklyn in 1999. She has another store on 125th Street in Harlem. Not a bad start from experimenting in her kitchen! Through contacts and her own network and sphere of influence Lisa managed to get names such as Jada Pinkett Smith and Mary J Blige to invest in her venture.
GO FIND YOUR SUCCESS
In a fast changing world, work-from-home opportunities are becoming the choice for many more women, regardless of whether it is a way to supplement an income, or whether it is a full-time job. More and more women today find that the flexibility allows them to have a little bit of extra time to themselves in the long run and makes for more fulfilling lives. The possibilities are endless.
Give it some thought if you feel you owe yourself more than working in an environment where there may be little scope for furthering your career, where you may be just another number. Think of things you can do from your kitchen, or from your laptop, or from your back yard. If the idea of starting your own herb nursery or cut flower business appeals to you, then go for it - provided of course, you have the space and inclination.
People start businesses from a garage in the back yard; a smart office environment is not necessary if you don't have a lot of start-up capital. Be inventive and courageous. We all know that fortune favors the brave. It can be YOUR motto too!
Do not allow other people to dictate your path, especially when it becomes clear to you that they're not holding YOUR best interests at heart.
YOU are the success story of your life. Go out and start living it!
Abbi Gabasa is the Managing Editor of MsCareerGirl.com and owner of UpraisedLiving.com. Having the background of a Marketing and Public Relations Manager with years of professional experience in various industries has given her an insightful perspective on careers, lifestyles, relationships, and attitudes which she humorously applies in helping people through her writing. Abbi is a training life coach, and an advocate of children's charities, women empowerment, optimistic thinking, and slow Sundays. A self-confessed Jane of all trades, she hopes to help girls all over the world find their calling and pursue their passions.