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Jennet Robinson
Alterman, executive director of the Center for Women, which will
co-sponsor the third annual Women in Business Conference this
weekend in Charleston, sent GMLc these fun facts from the Census
Bureau and U.S. Small Business Administration:
--Most of the
businesses that employ people in South Carolina are small
businesses and businesses run by entrepreneurs and innovators.
Businesses owned by women make up 26 percent of the businesses in
the state.
--From 1997 to
2002, female self-employment or female-owned businesses grew 20
percent in South Carolina. During the same time period, the growth
rate was 31 percent in Berkeley County, 30 percent in Charleston
County and 72 percent in Dorchester County.
--Women in the
tri-county area start their own businesses at almost double the
state average.
"In the area
of women starting businesses, we are not at the bottom of the
list," Alterman said. "I mean 50th in the nation, like
we are in women's political participation."
--Women nationally
and regionally are starting businesses at twice the rate of men.
--In 2002, there
were 13,644 female-owned businesses and self-employed women in the
tri-county area.
The Center for
Women estimated that there are now more than 20,000 companies
owned by women in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.
"Because we
are a retail and service-industry area," it is easier and
more attractive for women to go into business for themselves,
Alterman said. "We are the retail town, not the big,
corporate town.
"What makes us
special (as women) is that we want more control of our
lives," she said. "That's why we go into business. The
workplace is not adapting to the needs of young women with
flexible hours, providing affordable day care and so forth.
"Plus, the
wage issue is still huge. Women in South Carolina are making 70
cents on the dollar that men make. Women in South Carolina are
saying 'I'm not going to play by the boys' rules. I'm going to
start my own business.' And starting a business does not
necessarily mean oh, I've got this great idea. It can mean buying
a franchise."
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The New York Times
reported last year that about 43 percent of all businesses owned
by women have revenue of $10,000 or less, and more than 70 percent
have revenue of less than $50,000. Only 3 percent have revenue
exceeding $1 million, according to the Women Presidents'
Organization, the Times reported. Men clear $1 million at more
than twice that rate.
A problem for
startups by women, Alterman said, is often funding.
The Center for
Women would like to offer a microloan program for women, Alterman
said. "They do them in every Third World country, but not
here."
The loan program
would provide a committee of mentors that includes an accountant,
a public relations person, etc. Robinson said it's a matter of
networking.
"All these
women who have done their own businesses all want to give back and
help other women. One thing we're looking at is how can we do that
and make it sustainable."
Women in Business
2008, sponsored by the Center for Women and the Charleston Metro
Chamber of Commerce, will take place Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at
the Charleston Area Convention Center.
Workshops are on:
"Rules for the Workplace: An Irreverent Guide to Advancing
Your Career" ... "New Age Marketing: How to Use the Web
for All It's Worth!" ... "Financing Your Business
Expansion" ... "How Does Your Business Grow? Real Life
Success Stories" ... and "Charting a Path to Leadership
Greatness."
It's $75 for Center
for Women or chamber members; $105 for others. More than 400
female business owners and entrepreneurs will be there. Register
and find the schedule at www.c4women.org/conference.htm.
GMLc
Call
937-5564. Write gmlc@postandcourier.com.
Find the blog at gmlc.typepad.com.
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