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SOOKE – International Women’s Day was on March 8th. It is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women. This year’s theme is #PledgeForParity. Women have come a long way, and this deserves to be recognized and celebrated. However, we are only part way there.
Aside from the societal overhaul that is needed to alter the perception and objectification of women, we, as women, have some critical changes to address within ourselves before we can be on par with our male counterparts. As the saying goes, you are either part of the problem or part of the solution. And just because we are women does not automatically mean we are part of the solution. Far from it. In fact, we do a very good job of perpetuating the problem and it is very easily seen in business.
Despite the fact women are starting businesses three to one of their male counterparts and they now own a 1/3 of Canadian companies, women still lag behind in earnings by approximately twenty cents on the dollar. As business owners we are perpetuating this problem because we set our own pricing. And women tend to set a lower price. Why?
Breakthrough expert, philanthropist and author and Sooke resident, Jo Dibblee shared, “In my experience, women struggle with two main issues when it comes to pricing and growing their business. Firstly, many Canadian women have been taught to be accommodating and avoid offending others which impacts pricing of their product or service; it is priced in such a way so as not to offend or put off. In pricing their product or service too low, women dilute their value, their offering, and their credibility in the market place. Secondly, many women are risk adverse when it comes to growth. At times we may suffer from a love affair with perfection creating analysis paralysis which directly prohibits growth.”
The bottom line is we become our own worst enemy by holding ourselves hostage to expectations and standards we have accepted as truth. As female entrepreneurs we must value our offering and create room for growth without catering to perceived expectations. We must claim our place and lead by example.
The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its second annual afternoon tea at the Sooke Harbour House on Sunday March 6th in celebration of its many women in business. As a group, Sooke’s female entrepreneurs have begun to rally around each other to become leaders and agents of change in our town. If you would like to join us, tickets can be purchased online at the Chamber’s website.
Jo Dibblee will be presenting A Frock-alicious Life is Calling™ at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort in Parksville on May 13th and 14th. An event not to be missed, this two-day program is designed to prepare women to take inspired, accountable action.
– This article was written in collaboration with Kerry Cavers and Jo Dibblee.
Kerry Cavers is the president of the Sooke Chamber of Commerce and can be reached at the Chamber office at 250-642-6112.
Jo Dibblee is a speaker and presenter and has been featured on Canadian media nationwide and in the Huffington Post.
