Growing up, I was always taught not to talk about politics, money, or religion. ⬇️
Looking back, it makes me wonder.
Is that part of the reason that I didn't vote until my 30s?
Yet, the men would gather and what would they talk about? Politics. Money. Religion.
It made me think deeper…
Is it an old archetype to keep women out of the political #conversation?
Possibly… it wasn't until 1929 that #women became “persons” under the law, and were actually able to vote in #Canada.
In fact, I remember going to sit in on a family conversation, led by my Grandpa once. When I sat down, he said “You won't be interested in this, we're talking business.”
I spent years not voting or having anything to do with #politics, and thinking that my opinion didn't matter.
There's a correlation. Because of what I was taught, I assumed that “they've got it all taken care of, so I don't need to talk about this.”
Until I realized that “they” don't have it taken care of… That we all need to #speakup to have our voices heard.
So, this week, I put on my big girl pants.
I spent some time with Kelowna-Lake Country MP Tracy Gray, to talk about my concerns on the state of women in #smallbusiness.
Every week, I am averaging 2-3 calls or messages from small businesses in dire situations (I mentor #entrepreneurs and am an executive in residence with our local business accelerator).
The most disheartening part? Most of them are:
#Womenowned
#Canadianmade
#Mothers
Many of them were pummelled during the pandemic, managed to scrape through (despite lockdowns, forced closures, and expensive forced pivots to ecommerce), but are now in the throes of being beat up by the current #economy.
When even lettuce is $6 a head, not as many people have the money to pay a premium to support local.
And, now that the #CEBA loan repayment deadline is looming, it's going to be the nail in the coffin for many of them.
I get it, you may say “That is business. Adapt to the market conditions.”
But, for them to adapt again, after already being forced to invest in a pivot during the pandemic, they need the support.
What support do they need?
#Capital
It's well proven that women are at a disadvantage in business. It's harder to get capital (about 2% of all venture capital goes to women-owned/led businesses), and it's tougher to be taken seriously.
It's harder to make it through these situations as a woman.
The moral of the story?
To my fellow ladies:
🗣️ Talk about politics
📣 Make your voice heard
💪 Lean in
🪑 Take a seat at the table
👖 Always wear your big girl pants
To the men:
We want everyone to succeed, including the fellas. But, please:
🍔 Share your lunch
🏋️♀️ Speak up for women
👥 Support women
🏆 Seek inclusion of women
And finally, to everyone, teach your daughters to TALK ABOUT POLITICS.
Much love,
Alison
