Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

homestead - [Homestead] Women Employers employ 10,600,000 people

homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Homestead mailing list

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: tvoivozhd <tvoivozd AT infionline.net>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Homestead] Women Employers employ 10,600,000 people
  • Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 15:47:22 -0400

<http://www.businessweek.com/index.html>

Search

Advanced Search <http://www.businessweek.com/search/index.html#advancedsearch>


*Customer Service <http://www.businessweek.com/service.htm>*
*Register <http://www.businessweek.com/register.htm>*
*Subscribe to BW <https://www.neodata.com/ITPS2.cgi?ItemCode=BWEK&OrderType=Reply+Only&iResponse=BWEK.SUBSCRIBEUSCAN>*
Get Four
Free Issues <https://www.neodata.com/ITPS2.cgi?OrderType=Reply+Only&ItemCode=BWEK&iResponse=BWEK.4RF4597&SourceCode=3&KeyCode=BWA>
Headlines <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/resultlist/headlines01.htm>
Columns <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/resultlist/columns01.htm>
Management <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/resultlist/management01.htm>
Finance <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/resultlist/finance01.htm>
Technology <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/resultlist/technology01.htm>
Small Business Guide <http://businessweek.findlaw.com/sblg/>
Small Business Tools <http://www.businessweek.com/common/tools.htm#smallbiz>
Newsletter Sign-Up <http://www.businessweek.com/newsletters.htm>
SEPTEMBER 15, 2004 • Editions: N. America <javascript://> | Europe <javascript://> | Asia <javascript://> | Edition Preference <javascript://>
THE PROFESSOR'S STUDY
By Norean R. Sharpe

The New Mothers of Invention
Statistics leave little doubt that female entrepreneurs still face formidable obstacles. That's the bad news. The glad tidings are that they are overcoming them as never before

By Norean R. Sharpe
Norean R. Sharpe

<javascript:openPrintWin()> Printer-Friendly Version <javascript:openPrintWin()>
<javascript:openWin()> E-Mail This Story <javascript:openWin()>


• Find More Stories Like This <http://search.businessweek.com/search97cgi/s97_cgi?Action=FilterSearch&filter=qbefilt.hts&IPS=http%3A//www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/sep2004/sb20040915_3237.htm>



For Martha, It's Time to Do Time <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_9342_db035.htm>

Just How Risky Are Fannie and Freddie? <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_7674_db038.htm>

Are Hurricanes Swamping Spammers? <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040915_0180_db035.htm>

Summer's Tempests Twist the Numbers <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040915_3524_db035.htm>

Why Jobs Should Heed VoIP's Call <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_3793_db019.htm>

Coke Leaves a Bad Taste on the Street <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040915_8399_db035.htm>

Plane Truths About the Airlines' Woes <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_1344.htm>

Platt's Guide to OPEC <http://www.platts.com/Oil/Resources/News%20Features/opecindex.html>

Expensing Options: A Reprieve? <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_5795_db038.htm>

Not Too Many "Googles Going On" <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_2332_db049.htm>

Sprint to the Head of the Pack <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_6407_db016.htm>

Can Amazon Go Beyond Google? <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040915_3709_db016.htm>

Callaway Lands in the Rough <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_1597_db006.htm>

Tech Is Cooking Again in Israel <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_4045.htm>

How Hynix Got Out Of Its Fix <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_6973.htm>

The New Mothers of Invention <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_7533.htm>

BlackBerry: Reborn for a Mass Market <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_3878.htm>

Parker Hannifan's Well-Oiled Machine <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_1875.htm>

The Signs They Are A-Changin' <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_7062.htm>

Keeping Boomers Behind the Wheel <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_1877.htm>


• More Headlines <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/index.html#archive>

It's a little known fact that the originator of one of the world's most popular board games was a woman. According to government records, Lizzie McGee of Maryland applied for a patent on "The Landlord's Game," which bears a striking resemblance to what we now know as Monopoly.


However, it was another individual, Charles Darrow of Atlantic City, N.J., who sold the game rights to Parker Brothers in 1935, more than a decade later. In fact, a records search reveals that Parker Brothers actually honored two patents when they registered the board game, one of them McGee's. While Darrow continued to earn commissions on each game sold, McGee was bought out for a paltry sum -- and her name and contribution were forgotten.

Perhaps the mismatch between reality and published (or marketed) history should not be surprising, given that women were not permitted to obtain patents for many centuries. They resorted to using their husband's names, hiding behind their initials, or simply abandoning their inventions. Certainly, the inability of married women to control property, money, and investments inhibited them from starting businesses.

REDRESS FOR SUCCESS. J.E. Bedi researched female innovators for the Lemelson Center at The Smithsonian Institution, and what she found is summarized in her eye-opening paper, /Exploring the History of Women Inventors/. According to Bedi, during the 20th century, women patented an ice-cream freezer, a transmitter for torpedoes, a feeding device for amputees, and Kevlar, which is used in bullet proof vests. Can our children name any of these women? Are their contributions taught in schools?

Today, women have their names on approximately 10% of all patents -- a tenfold increase over 1910 (when less than 1% of all patents were by women). Despite this increase, the gender gap in entrepreneurship continues to widen. In 2003, two men were involved in entrepreneurial activities for every woman, according to the research by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor <http://www.gemconsortium.org/> (GEM).

Despite this gender gap, entrepreneurial activity among women continues to grow. The number of women-owned businesses in the U.S. has increased by 14% in the last five years, according to the Center for Women's Business Research <http://www.nfwbo.org/> (CWBR). Today, nearly half of all privately held businesses in the U.S. are women-owned.

Consider that there are currently 10.6 million privately held women-owned firms in the U.S., and that they generate $2.5 trillion in sales and employ 19 million people. Between 1997 and 2004, the growth in the number of these women-owned firms was over 17%, while their combined workforce expanded by 24% and revenues grew 40%. Although on a statewide basis California, Texas, and Florida top the list for women-ownership in 2004, other regions of the country are catching up.

STATE OF CHANGE. The 10 fastest-growing states for women-owned outfits are: *1)* Utah; *2)* Arizona; *3)* Nevada; *4)* Idaho; *5)* Kentucky and New Mexico (tied); *7)* South Carolina; *8)* North Carolina; *9)* Arkansas; and *10)* Oregon. While these states may be seeing an explosion of sorts in women entrepreneurship, women continue to face challenges in these areas of the country. Look harder at the rankings, and only two of those states -- Arizona and North Carolina -- also appear in 2004's top 15 states for women-ownership. In those two states, not only is the number of women-owned businesses at an all-time high, but the growth rate also is impressive: approximately 30% growth in each instance.

If only family businesses are examined, an interesting picture emerges. Women-owned family businesses are more than twice as likely to employ women family members full-time; are more likely to choose a female as a successor chief executive; and are more likely to achieve a greater gender balance in the composition of their boards of directors. These are the findings of the Center for Women's Leadership (CWL) at Babson College in 2003.

Clearly, today's female business owners are a positive influence on future women entrepreneurs. The CWL study also found that women-owned family firms are more than six times as likely to have a woman CEO as men-owned firms. Men, it seems, remain reluctant to put women in charge.

Babson College, where I teach, is a leader in entrepreneurial education, is one school that places emphasis on training future entrepreneurs and narrowing the gender gap. Take for example, Alison Barnard -- a recent graduate from Babson, who has spent the past year trying to start a women's retail store in downtown Boston.

HASSLES AND HISTORY. She came to Babson with the germ of an idea for an innovative retail company, but wasn't quite sure how to make it all happen. As Alison explained, "I have always had the desire to start my own company. Growing up, I watched my father start several companies, which inspired me to do the same." As seasoned business owners know, starting your own company is not without hard work. However, while excited to be pursuing her dream, Alison has found her experience both "frustrating and challenging."

"Many vendors informed me that they would not be opening any new accounts.... They want to keep solid relationships with current accounts that are potential competitors for my store," explained Alison. This is one student that is not giving up, however. Alison is currently scouting locations in and around Boston and continues to meet with realtors and building owners in commercial districts. Bearing in mind the sad fate of Lizzie McGee and her board game, let's hope that Ms. Barnard persists, creates a successful brand, and makes an enduring mark on retailing -- an outcome that would help to balance the scales of history.

(/*Editor's Note:* This is the first in an irregular series of commentaries, analysis, and research papers from academics and small-business researchers.)**/**) **
**

Norean Radke Sharpe is associate professor of statistics and operations research at Babson College.


**




Need Help? Find experts in your area in:

Accounting <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=2111&Title=Accounting&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Advertising <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=3988&Title=Advertising+%26+Marketing&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Legal Services <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=3195&Title=Legal+Services&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Marketing <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=3988&Title=Marketing&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
MBAs <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=1878&Title=MBAs&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Network Security <http://businessweek.directorym.com/DM/?DirectoryId=4789>
Public Relations <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=2153&Title=Public+Relations&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Web Conferencing <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=9199&DirectoryID=4784&RegionCode=NATL>
Web Design <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=9141&Title=Web+Design&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>


** **


SPONSORED LINKS

• Intuit Help Desk & Network Management Software <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?1&275320&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.itsolutions.intuit.com/demo/ib.html>
Intuit provides Track-It! and Network Monitor - the leading help desk and network management solutions for call tracking, problem resolution, IT asset management, electronic software distribution, and network performance monitoring. Free demo & trial

• Cisco Small Business Solution Designer Online <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?2&287533&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.ciscowebtools.com/go/ib3>
Generate a custom network reference design tailored to your organizations specific needs and get expert advice online with Cisco Solution Designer. Start building your network now.

• Online CRM solutions from Salesforce.com <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?3&189386&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.salesforce.com/us/orderEntry/partner.jsp?campaignID=7013000000009HH&retURL=http://www.salesforce.com/us/products/?DCMP=KNC-IndustryBrains>
Online Customer Relationship Management solutions - sales force automation, customer service and support, and marketing automation. All this and no software! Designed for rapid deployment and adoption. Free 30-day Trial

• Donated Software for Nonprofit Small Businesses <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?4&275190&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.techsoup.org/stock>
Get charitable product donations from Microsoft, Intuit, Symantec, and other top providers. Exclusively for 501c3 nonprofit small businesses. Only at TechSoup.org, the technology place for nonprofits.

• Secure Any Windows PC. Free Encryption Software <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?5&288101&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.cypherix.com/cryptainerle/index.htm>
Secure any 32bit Windows PC. Encrypt Data. Free 128 Bit Encryption software. Drag, Drop, Done. Encryption was never so easy. Encrypt any file or folder on any kind of media including Removable drives, USB Drives, CD/DVD Disks. Freeware

Buy a link now! <http://www.industrybrains.com/MoreInformation.asp>



Executive Book Summaries <http://www.businessweek.com/summary/>
Receive 8-page summaries of the most popular business books

e-prints and reprints <http://www.businessweek.com/reprints/reprints.html>
Buy an e-print or reprint for any BW magazine or online article.

New BusinessWeek Digital Edition <http://www.zinio.com/singles?issn=0007-7135> - Get instant, electronic delivery of this week's newsstand issue or back issues in an easy-to-read format

Real-Time Quotes <http://www.businessweek.com/investor/realtime.htm>
For a nominal monthly fee, you can now get real-time quotes.

Investor Workshops <http://workshops.businessweek.com/c/re/BWOL/bwhp?D=XBWK>
BusinessWeek's new investor education course.

Tech Business White Papers Directory <http://businessweek.itpapers.com>
A complete index of white papers to assist in your company's decisions

Subscribe to Outlook Online <http://www.spoutlookonline.com/ol_mw1.0.asp?adid=9>
The Outlook is a unique advisory service from Standard & Poor's.

S&P Advisor Insight <http://www.advisorinsight.com/>INVESTOR RELATIONS departments for companies in the S&P 500 <http://www.advisorinsight.com/pub/indexes/500_dir.htm>, S&P 600 <http://www.advisorinsight.com/pub/indexes/600_dir.htm> and S&P 400 <http://www.advisorinsight.com/pub/indexes/400_dir.htm>.

BusinessWeek TV <http://businessweek.com/bwtv/>

BusinessWeek Online: Handheld Edition <http://avantgo.com/channels/_add_channel.pl?cha_id=1512>

BW Conferences <http://conferences.businessweek.com/>

**
Click to buy an e-print or reprint <http://www.businessweek.com/reprints.htm> of a /BusinessWeek/ or BusinessWeek Online story or video.

Add news from BusinessWeek Online to your Web site with our headline feed <mailto:%20howard_manus AT businessweek.com>.

To subscribe online to /BusinessWeek/ magazine, please click here <http://www.businessweek.com/register.htm>.

Learn more, go to the BusinessWeekOnline home page <http://www.businessweek.com/>

Back to Top <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/sep2004/sb20040915_3237.htm#top>
**
** **
** **
** **
** **
** **
** **
** **
** MARKET HIGHLIGHTS **
** **


** DOW

<http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=.DJI&Timespan=260>
S&P 500

<http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=SPX&Timespan=260>
NASDAQ

<http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=NASD&Timespan=260>
**

** **
** DOW <http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=.DJI&Timespan=260> S&P 500 <http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=SPX&Timespan=260>NASDAQ <http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=NASD&Timespan=260> ** ** **
** **
** **
DJIA <http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=.DJI> 10242.95 +11.50
S&P 500 <http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=SPX> 1123.53 +3.16
Nasdaq <http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=NASD> 1902.88 +6.36

** **
** **
** **
** go <javascript://> **


** Edit Portfolio

<http://www.businessweek.com/cgi-bin/register/ts_auth.cgi?AUTH=1&WHERE=portfolio_quotes&Symbol=&Validate=Submit+Query>
| Popup Ticker <javascript:showZipper();> **

** **** **
** **


**Markets Sponsor**

** **

** **
** **
** ** **

**




Need Help? Find experts in your area in:

Accounting <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=2111&Title=Accounting&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Advertising <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=3988&Title=Advertising+%26+Marketing&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Legal Services <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=3195&Title=Legal+Services&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Marketing <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=3988&Title=Marketing&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
MBAs <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=1878&Title=MBAs&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Network Security <http://businessweek.directorym.com/DM/?DirectoryId=4789>
Public Relations <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=2153&Title=Public+Relations&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Web Conferencing <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=9199&DirectoryID=4784&RegionCode=NATL>
Web Design <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=9141&Title=Web+Design&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>


**
**
** **


SPONSORED LINKS

• Intuit Help Desk & Network Management Software <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?1&275320&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.itsolutions.intuit.com/demo/ib.html>
Intuit provides Track-It! and Network Monitor - the leading help desk and network management solutions for call tracking, problem resolution, IT asset management, electronic software distribution, and network performance monitoring. Free demo & trial

• Cisco Small Business Solution Designer Online <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?2&287533&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.ciscowebtools.com/go/ib3>
Generate a custom network reference design tailored to your organizations specific needs and get expert advice online with Cisco Solution Designer. Start building your network now.

• Online CRM solutions from Salesforce.com <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?3&189386&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.salesforce.com/us/orderEntry/partner.jsp?campaignID=7013000000009HH&retURL=http://www.salesforce.com/us/products/?DCMP=KNC-IndustryBrains>
Online Customer Relationship Management solutions - sales force automation, customer service and support, and marketing automation. All this and no software! Designed for rapid deployment and adoption. Free 30-day Trial

• Donated Software for Nonprofit Small Businesses <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?4&275190&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.techsoup.org/stock>
Get charitable product donations from Microsoft, Intuit, Symantec, and other top providers. Exclusively for 501c3 nonprofit small businesses. Only at TechSoup.org, the technology place for nonprofits.

• Secure Any Windows PC. Free Encryption Software <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?5&288101&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.cypherix.com/cryptainerle/index.htm>
Secure any 32bit Windows PC. Encrypt Data. Free 128 Bit Encryption software. Drag, Drop, Done. Encryption was never so easy. Encrypt any file or folder on any kind of media including Removable drives, USB Drives, CD/DVD Disks. Freeware

Buy a link now! <http://www.industrybrains.com/MoreInformation.asp>



Executive Book Summaries <http://www.businessweek.com/summary/>
Receive 8-page summaries of the most popular business books

e-prints and reprints <http://www.businessweek.com/reprints/reprints.html>
Buy an e-print or reprint for any BW magazine or online article.

New BusinessWeek Digital Edition <http://www.zinio.com/singles?issn=0007-7135> - Get instant, electronic delivery of this week's newsstand issue or back issues in an easy-to-read format

Real-Time Quotes <http://www.businessweek.com/investor/realtime.htm>
For a nominal monthly fee, you can now get real-time quotes.

Investor Workshops <http://workshops.businessweek.com/c/re/BWOL/bwhp?D=XBWK>
BusinessWeek's new investor education course.

Tech Business White Papers Directory <http://businessweek.itpapers.com>
A complete index of white papers to assist in your company's decisions

Subscribe to Outlook Online <http://www.spoutlookonline.com/ol_mw1.0.asp?adid=9>
The Outlook is a unique advisory service from Standard & Poor's.

S&P Advisor Insight <http://www.advisorinsight.com/>INVESTOR RELATIONS departments for companies in the S&P 500 <http://www.advisorinsight.com/pub/indexes/500_dir.htm>, S&P 600 <http://www.advisorinsight.com/pub/indexes/600_dir.htm> and S&P 400 <http://www.advisorinsight.com/pub/indexes/400_dir.htm>.

BusinessWeek TV <http://businessweek.com/bwtv/>

BusinessWeek Online: Handheld Edition <http://avantgo.com/channels/_add_channel.pl?cha_id=1512>

BW Conferences <http://conferences.businessweek.com/>

**
**
** **
** **
** **
** **
**
**
**

**
** **
<http://www.mcgraw-hill.com> Copyright 2004, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use <http://www.businessweek.com/cgi-bin/redirect?url=%2Fcopyrt.htm> | Privacy Notice <http://www.businessweek.com/cgi-bin/redirect?url=%2Fprivacy.htm>

**

**
<http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/>

** **
<http://www.businessweek.com/index.html>

Search

Advanced Search <http://www.businessweek.com/search/index.html#advancedsearch>


*Customer Service <http://www.businessweek.com/service.htm>*
*Register <http://www.businessweek.com/register.htm>*
*Subscribe to BW <https://www.neodata.com/ITPS2.cgi?ItemCode=BWEK&OrderType=Reply+Only&iResponse=BWEK.SUBSCRIBEUSCAN>*
Get Four
Free Issues <https://www.neodata.com/ITPS2.cgi?OrderType=Reply+Only&ItemCode=BWEK&iResponse=BWEK.4RF4597&SourceCode=3&KeyCode=BWA>
Headlines <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/resultlist/headlines01.htm>
Columns <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/resultlist/columns01.htm>
Management <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/resultlist/management01.htm>
Finance <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/resultlist/finance01.htm>
Technology <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/resultlist/technology01.htm>
Small Business Guide <http://businessweek.findlaw.com/sblg/>
Small Business Tools <http://www.businessweek.com/common/tools.htm#smallbiz>
Newsletter Sign-Up <http://www.businessweek.com/newsletters.htm>
SEPTEMBER 15, 2004 • Editions: N. America <javascript://> | Europe <javascript://> | Asia <javascript://> | Edition Preference <javascript://>
THE PROFESSOR'S STUDY
By Norean R. Sharpe

The New Mothers of Invention
Statistics leave little doubt that female entrepreneurs still face formidable obstacles. That's the bad news. The glad tidings are that they are overcoming them as never before

By Norean R. Sharpe
Norean R. Sharpe

<javascript:openPrintWin()> Printer-Friendly Version <javascript:openPrintWin()>
<javascript:openWin()> E-Mail This Story <javascript:openWin()>


• Find More Stories Like This <http://search.businessweek.com/search97cgi/s97_cgi?Action=FilterSearch&filter=qbefilt.hts&IPS=http%3A//www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/sep2004/sb20040915_3237.htm>



For Martha, It's Time to Do Time <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_9342_db035.htm>

Just How Risky Are Fannie and Freddie? <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_7674_db038.htm>

Are Hurricanes Swamping Spammers? <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040915_0180_db035.htm>

Summer's Tempests Twist the Numbers <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040915_3524_db035.htm>

Why Jobs Should Heed VoIP's Call <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_3793_db019.htm>

Coke Leaves a Bad Taste on the Street <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040915_8399_db035.htm>

Plane Truths About the Airlines' Woes <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_1344.htm>

Platt's Guide to OPEC <http://www.platts.com/Oil/Resources/News%20Features/opecindex.html>

Expensing Options: A Reprieve? <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_5795_db038.htm>

Not Too Many "Googles Going On" <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_2332_db049.htm>

Sprint to the Head of the Pack <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_6407_db016.htm>

Can Amazon Go Beyond Google? <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040915_3709_db016.htm>

Callaway Lands in the Rough <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_1597_db006.htm>

Tech Is Cooking Again in Israel <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_4045.htm>

How Hynix Got Out Of Its Fix <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_6973.htm>

The New Mothers of Invention <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_7533.htm>

BlackBerry: Reborn for a Mass Market <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_3878.htm>

Parker Hannifan's Well-Oiled Machine <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_1875.htm>

The Signs They Are A-Changin' <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_7062.htm>

Keeping Boomers Behind the Wheel <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040916_1877.htm>


• More Headlines <http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/index.html#archive>

It's a little known fact that the originator of one of the world's most popular board games was a woman. According to government records, Lizzie McGee of Maryland applied for a patent on "The Landlord's Game," which bears a striking resemblance to what we now know as Monopoly.


However, it was another individual, Charles Darrow of Atlantic City, N.J., who sold the game rights to Parker Brothers in 1935, more than a decade later. In fact, a records search reveals that Parker Brothers actually honored two patents when they registered the board game, one of them McGee's. While Darrow continued to earn commissions on each game sold, McGee was bought out for a paltry sum -- and her name and contribution were forgotten.

Perhaps the mismatch between reality and published (or marketed) history should not be surprising, given that women were not permitted to obtain patents for many centuries. They resorted to using their husband's names, hiding behind their initials, or simply abandoning their inventions. Certainly, the inability of married women to control property, money, and investments inhibited them from starting businesses.

REDRESS FOR SUCCESS. J.E. Bedi researched female innovators for the Lemelson Center at The Smithsonian Institution, and what she found is summarized in her eye-opening paper, /Exploring the History of Women Inventors/. According to Bedi, during the 20th century, women patented an ice-cream freezer, a transmitter for torpedoes, a feeding device for amputees, and Kevlar, which is used in bullet proof vests. Can our children name any of these women? Are their contributions taught in schools?

Today, women have their names on approximately 10% of all patents -- a tenfold increase over 1910 (when less than 1% of all patents were by women). Despite this increase, the gender gap in entrepreneurship continues to widen. In 2003, two men were involved in entrepreneurial activities for every woman, according to the research by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor <http://www.gemconsortium.org/> (GEM).

Despite this gender gap, entrepreneurial activity among women continues to grow. The number of women-owned businesses in the U.S. has increased by 14% in the last five years, according to the Center for Women's Business Research <http://www.nfwbo.org/> (CWBR). Today, nearly half of all privately held businesses in the U.S. are women-owned.

Consider that there are currently 10.6 million privately held women-owned firms in the U.S., and that they generate $2.5 trillion in sales and employ 19 million people. Between 1997 and 2004, the growth in the number of these women-owned firms was over 17%, while their combined workforce expanded by 24% and revenues grew 40%. Although on a statewide basis California, Texas, and Florida top the list for women-ownership in 2004, other regions of the country are catching up.

STATE OF CHANGE. The 10 fastest-growing states for women-owned outfits are: *1)* Utah; *2)* Arizona; *3)* Nevada; *4)* Idaho; *5)* Kentucky and New Mexico (tied); *7)* South Carolina; *8)* North Carolina; *9)* Arkansas; and *10)* Oregon. While these states may be seeing an explosion of sorts in women entrepreneurship, women continue to face challenges in these areas of the country. Look harder at the rankings, and only two of those states -- Arizona and North Carolina -- also appear in 2004's top 15 states for women-ownership. In those two states, not only is the number of women-owned businesses at an all-time high, but the growth rate also is impressive: approximately 30% growth in each instance.

If only family businesses are examined, an interesting picture emerges. Women-owned family businesses are more than twice as likely to employ women family members full-time; are more likely to choose a female as a successor chief executive; and are more likely to achieve a greater gender balance in the composition of their boards of directors. These are the findings of the Center for Women's Leadership (CWL) at Babson College in 2003.

Clearly, today's female business owners are a positive influence on future women entrepreneurs. The CWL study also found that women-owned family firms are more than six times as likely to have a woman CEO as men-owned firms. Men, it seems, remain reluctant to put women in charge.

Babson College, where I teach, is a leader in entrepreneurial education, is one school that places emphasis on training future entrepreneurs and narrowing the gender gap. Take for example, Alison Barnard -- a recent graduate from Babson, who has spent the past year trying to start a women's retail store in downtown Boston.

HASSLES AND HISTORY. She came to Babson with the germ of an idea for an innovative retail company, but wasn't quite sure how to make it all happen. As Alison explained, "I have always had the desire to start my own company. Growing up, I watched my father start several companies, which inspired me to do the same." As seasoned business owners know, starting your own company is not without hard work. However, while excited to be pursuing her dream, Alison has found her experience both "frustrating and challenging."

"Many vendors informed me that they would not be opening any new accounts.... They want to keep solid relationships with current accounts that are potential competitors for my store," explained Alison. This is one student that is not giving up, however. Alison is currently scouting locations in and around Boston and continues to meet with realtors and building owners in commercial districts. Bearing in mind the sad fate of Lizzie McGee and her board game, let's hope that Ms. Barnard persists, creates a successful brand, and makes an enduring mark on retailing -- an outcome that would help to balance the scales of history.

(/*Editor's Note:* This is the first in an irregular series of commentaries, analysis, and research papers from academics and small-business researchers.)**/**) **
**

Norean Radke Sharpe is associate professor of statistics and operations research at Babson College.


**




Need Help? Find experts in your area in:

Accounting <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=2111&Title=Accounting&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Advertising <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=3988&Title=Advertising+%26+Marketing&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Legal Services <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=3195&Title=Legal+Services&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Marketing <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=3988&Title=Marketing&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
MBAs <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=1878&Title=MBAs&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Network Security <http://businessweek.directorym.com/DM/?DirectoryId=4789>
Public Relations <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=2153&Title=Public+Relations&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Web Conferencing <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=9199&DirectoryID=4784&RegionCode=NATL>
Web Design <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=9141&Title=Web+Design&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>


** **


SPONSORED LINKS

• Intuit Help Desk & Network Management Software <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?1&275320&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.itsolutions.intuit.com/demo/ib.html>
Intuit provides Track-It! and Network Monitor - the leading help desk and network management solutions for call tracking, problem resolution, IT asset management, electronic software distribution, and network performance monitoring. Free demo & trial

• Cisco Small Business Solution Designer Online <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?2&287533&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.ciscowebtools.com/go/ib3>
Generate a custom network reference design tailored to your organizations specific needs and get expert advice online with Cisco Solution Designer. Start building your network now.

• Online CRM solutions from Salesforce.com <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?3&189386&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.salesforce.com/us/orderEntry/partner.jsp?campaignID=7013000000009HH&retURL=http://www.salesforce.com/us/products/?DCMP=KNC-IndustryBrains>
Online Customer Relationship Management solutions - sales force automation, customer service and support, and marketing automation. All this and no software! Designed for rapid deployment and adoption. Free 30-day Trial

• Donated Software for Nonprofit Small Businesses <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?4&275190&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.techsoup.org/stock>
Get charitable product donations from Microsoft, Intuit, Symantec, and other top providers. Exclusively for 501c3 nonprofit small businesses. Only at TechSoup.org, the technology place for nonprofits.

• Secure Any Windows PC. Free Encryption Software <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?5&288101&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.cypherix.com/cryptainerle/index.htm>
Secure any 32bit Windows PC. Encrypt Data. Free 128 Bit Encryption software. Drag, Drop, Done. Encryption was never so easy. Encrypt any file or folder on any kind of media including Removable drives, USB Drives, CD/DVD Disks. Freeware

Buy a link now! <http://www.industrybrains.com/MoreInformation.asp>



Executive Book Summaries <http://www.businessweek.com/summary/>
Receive 8-page summaries of the most popular business books

e-prints and reprints <http://www.businessweek.com/reprints/reprints.html>
Buy an e-print or reprint for any BW magazine or online article.

New BusinessWeek Digital Edition <http://www.zinio.com/singles?issn=0007-7135> - Get instant, electronic delivery of this week's newsstand issue or back issues in an easy-to-read format

Real-Time Quotes <http://www.businessweek.com/investor/realtime.htm>
For a nominal monthly fee, you can now get real-time quotes.

Investor Workshops <http://workshops.businessweek.com/c/re/BWOL/bwhp?D=XBWK>
BusinessWeek's new investor education course.

Tech Business White Papers Directory <http://businessweek.itpapers.com>
A complete index of white papers to assist in your company's decisions

Subscribe to Outlook Online <http://www.spoutlookonline.com/ol_mw1.0.asp?adid=9>
The Outlook is a unique advisory service from Standard & Poor's.

S&P Advisor Insight <http://www.advisorinsight.com/>INVESTOR RELATIONS departments for companies in the S&P 500 <http://www.advisorinsight.com/pub/indexes/500_dir.htm>, S&P 600 <http://www.advisorinsight.com/pub/indexes/600_dir.htm> and S&P 400 <http://www.advisorinsight.com/pub/indexes/400_dir.htm>.

BusinessWeek TV <http://businessweek.com/bwtv/>

BusinessWeek Online: Handheld Edition <http://avantgo.com/channels/_add_channel.pl?cha_id=1512>

BW Conferences <http://conferences.businessweek.com/>

**
Click to buy an e-print or reprint <http://www.businessweek.com/reprints.htm> of a /BusinessWeek/ or BusinessWeek Online story or video.

Add news from BusinessWeek Online to your Web site with our headline feed <mailto:%20howard_manus AT businessweek.com>.

To subscribe online to /BusinessWeek/ magazine, please click here <http://www.businessweek.com/register.htm>.

Learn more, go to the BusinessWeekOnline home page <http://www.businessweek.com/>

Back to Top <http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/sep2004/sb20040915_3237.htm#top>
**
** **
** **
** **
** **
** **
** **
** **
** MARKET HIGHLIGHTS **
** **


** DOW

<http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=.DJI&Timespan=260>
S&P 500

<http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=SPX&Timespan=260>
NASDAQ

<http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=NASD&Timespan=260>
**

** **
** DOW <http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=.DJI&Timespan=260> S&P 500 <http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=SPX&Timespan=260>NASDAQ <http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=NASD&Timespan=260> ** ** **
** **
** **
DJIA <http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=.DJI> 10242.95 +11.50
S&P 500 <http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=SPX> 1123.53 +3.16
Nasdaq <http://host.businessweek.com/businessweek/Corporate_Snapshot.html?Symbol=NASD> 1902.88 +6.36

** **
** **
** **
** go <javascript://> **


** Edit Portfolio

<http://www.businessweek.com/cgi-bin/register/ts_auth.cgi?AUTH=1&WHERE=portfolio_quotes&Symbol=&Validate=Submit+Query>
| Popup Ticker <javascript:showZipper();> **

** **** **
** **


**Markets Sponsor**

** **

** **
** **
** ** **

**




Need Help? Find experts in your area in:

Accounting <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=2111&Title=Accounting&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Advertising <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=3988&Title=Advertising+%26+Marketing&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Legal Services <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=3195&Title=Legal+Services&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Marketing <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=3988&Title=Marketing&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
MBAs <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=1878&Title=MBAs&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Network Security <http://businessweek.directorym.com/DM/?DirectoryId=4789>
Public Relations <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=2153&Title=Public+Relations&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>
Web Conferencing <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=9199&DirectoryID=4784&RegionCode=NATL>
Web Design <http://businessweek.directorym.com/?CategoryId=9141&Title=Web+Design&DirectoryId=&RegionCode=>


**
**
** **


SPONSORED LINKS

• Intuit Help Desk & Network Management Software <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?1&275320&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.itsolutions.intuit.com/demo/ib.html>
Intuit provides Track-It! and Network Monitor - the leading help desk and network management solutions for call tracking, problem resolution, IT asset management, electronic software distribution, and network performance monitoring. Free demo & trial

• Cisco Small Business Solution Designer Online <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?2&287533&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.ciscowebtools.com/go/ib3>
Generate a custom network reference design tailored to your organizations specific needs and get expert advice online with Cisco Solution Designer. Start building your network now.

• Online CRM solutions from Salesforce.com <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?3&189386&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.salesforce.com/us/orderEntry/partner.jsp?campaignID=7013000000009HH&retURL=http://www.salesforce.com/us/products/?DCMP=KNC-IndustryBrains>
Online Customer Relationship Management solutions - sales force automation, customer service and support, and marketing automation. All this and no software! Designed for rapid deployment and adoption. Free 30-day Trial

• Donated Software for Nonprofit Small Businesses <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?4&275190&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.techsoup.org/stock>
Get charitable product donations from Microsoft, Intuit, Symantec, and other top providers. Exclusively for 501c3 nonprofit small businesses. Only at TechSoup.org, the technology place for nonprofits.

• Secure Any Windows PC. Free Encryption Software <http://links.industrybrains.com/click?5&288101&2&46&20040916153332&http://www.cypherix.com/cryptainerle/index.htm>
Secure any 32bit Windows PC. Encrypt Data. Free 128 Bit Encryption software. Drag, Drop, Done. Encryption was never so easy. Encrypt any file or folder on any kind of media including Removable drives, USB Drives, CD/DVD Disks. Freeware

Buy a link now! <http://www.industrybrains.com/MoreInformation.asp>



Executive Book Summaries <http://www.businessweek.com/summary/>
Receive 8-page summaries of the most popular business books

e-prints and reprints <http://www.businessweek.com/reprints/reprints.html>
Buy an e-print or reprint for any BW magazine or online article.

New BusinessWeek Digital Edition <http://www.zinio.com/singles?issn=0007-7135> - Get instant, electronic delivery of this week's newsstand issue or back issues in an easy-to-read format

Real-Time Quotes <http://www.businessweek.com/investor/realtime.htm>
For a nominal monthly fee, you can now get real-time quotes.

Investor Workshops <http://workshops.businessweek.com/c/re/BWOL/bwhp?D=XBWK>
BusinessWeek's new investor education course.

Tech Business White Papers Directory <http://businessweek.itpapers.com>
A complete index of white papers to assist in your company's decisions

Subscribe to Outlook Online <http://www.spoutlookonline.com/ol_mw1.0.asp?adid=9>
The Outlook is a unique advisory service from Standard & Poor's.

S&P Advisor Insight <http://www.advisorinsight.com/>INVESTOR RELATIONS departments for companies in the S&P 500 <http://www.advisorinsight.com/pub/indexes/500_dir.htm>, S&P 600 <http://www.advisorinsight.com/pub/indexes/600_dir.htm> and S&P 400 <http://www.advisorinsight.com/pub/indexes/400_dir.htm>.

BusinessWeek TV <http://businessweek.com/bwtv/>

BusinessWeek Online: Handheld Edition <http://avantgo.com/channels/_add_channel.pl?cha_id=1512>

BW Conferences <http://conferences.businessweek.com/>

**
**
** **
** **
** **
** **
**
**
**

**
** **
<http://www.mcgraw-hill.com> Copyright 2004, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use <http://www.businessweek.com/cgi-bin/redirect?url=%2Fcopyrt.htm> | Privacy Notice <http://www.businessweek.com/cgi-bin/redirect?url=%2Fprivacy.htm>

**

**
<http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/>

** **




  • [Homestead] Women Employers employ 10,600,000 people, tvoivozhd, 09/16/2004

Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page