5 unexpected roadblocks for women entrepreneurs—and how to overcome them
Every entrepreneur faces challenges on their professional path. Many women, in particular, share experiences of doubt and difficulty in making their voices heard. But rest assured, there are tried-and-true ways to get you past these speed bumps and back onto the right track.
In my two-decade career at Christie’s auction house, I learned to navigate these dynamics. And when I eventually left to start my own talent agency, I had to use strategies I learned from my time in the male-dominated corporate world to get buy-in from new clients. My ability to speak up in rooms full of men, pitch ideas to them, and feel confident doing so proved to be critical.
The truth is, entrepreneurial life can have a higher barrier to entry for many women. But common obstacles don’t need to stop you in your tracks. Here are five hidden roadblocks women should anticipate—so you, too, can approach any business challenge confident in your ability to own it.
Decision-makers don’t look like you
A common issue women face when they walk into a pitch meeting is a room full of people who don’t look like them. As a result, when they start to pitch their product or idea, the people in the room can’t relate and the deal falls apart quickly.
But knowing this will likely be the case gives you all the power. Do your research before you walk in the room so that you know exactly who you are going to be pitching to—that way, there are no surprises. Find out as much as possible about everyone who will be in the room so that you can find a natural point of synergy to connect you.
Since you’ve done the prework, you can ask leading questions that will steer the conversation in the way that you want. Don’t hesitate to practice your pitch on friends who might be similar to the people you are about to pitch to, so they can punch holes in your presentation. The more prep work you do, the easier pitch day will be.
Juggling invisible labor
Are you drained at the end of the workday, only to walk in the door at home to find that you are in charge of everything there, too? The second shift is a common trap for working women. And it can stop today.
Have conversations with your partner early and often about dividing invisible work at home. The sooner you get into a rhythm where you’re both aware of what it takes to keep a household moving, the less time you will spend arguing about it. Together, list out everything that has to get done around the house, and allocate it according to the things you are good at or like to do—until you get to the tasks neither of you want to do. Tackle those together. You can’t do it alone, nor should you.
Limited access to funding
Women have access to less than 3% of venture capital money; it’s a shocking disparity that bears repeating. So be loud. This statistic will only improve the more we talk about it.
Tell anyone and everyone who needs to hear it that women need more access to capital. If you’re a woman seeking VC money, get in touch with organizations like Female Founder Collective or Female Founders Fund, who help connect women with potential investors (and invest as well). Make the issue known, and align yourself with communities working to solve it.
Limited access to networks
My father always says “network or die”—meaning not that you’ll die if you don’t network, but your network certainly will. Fewer women than men in positions of business leadership means that curating connections is essential. If you find that your network isn’t growing, or your world seems small and you need a larger reach, it’s time to take matters into your own hands.
Organize a breakfast with a friend and ask her to invite six people you don’t know. Do the same with your network. Make it meaningful, not just transactional. At the event, let each person talk about their work and life, then ask a question that everyone at the table has to answer.
Artificial timelines
The world of constant updates that we live in can make success seem easy—as though if you aren’t killing it all the time, you aren’t successful.
If you find yourself scrolling on social media, concerned that everyone else is miles ahead of where you are supposed to be, say this to yourself as often as you need to: “I am living life on the timeline I am supposed to be on. Things will happen when they are meant to happen and not before. I am exactly where I need to be.” You will arrive—roadblocks in your rearview mirror.