ForumsStarting a Business

Thanks DomainDiva - she currently is working for a Fortune 500 company, but she has a passion simply for being independent. I think no matter what field she goes in she'll be successful, I guess I was looking for business opportunties where she'd have a great opportunity to succeed.

She works processing mortgages for a large bank - with the mortgage industry in a bit of trouble she is thinking about finally striking out on her own and has been seriously considering leaving her job to start a business. Again I was thinking fitness, because 1 she works out often and two I don't believe there is a gym catering just to women in her immediate area

She is going to ultimately do what's best for her, but I don't think at this point she's figured out exactly what she wants to do. I know she wants to seriously look at franchises but I wanted to know if anyone thought certain industries provided a set advantage for women.

Thanks for your replies.

Surely, she has some hobbies outside of just being independent. She should do what she loves, whether that's consulting for Fortune 500 companies or gardening. There are a lot of opportunities out there, particularly on the internet. She shouldn't feel limited on only companies where women typically do well. I'm sure you didn't mean it this way, but as a woman, I would feel rather insulted if someone told me I should stick to what women have done well at in the past. I can do whatever the hell I put my mind to. And I believe most people can if they are willing to put some work in. So, it's all really about finding what you are willing to work for. What you won't give up on. What makes you feel good about yourself. By the way, I am a physics graduate student. This is not a very common thing for women to do. I think the national average is 12%. I'm doing quite well, despite the fact that I am a woman.

I agree with DomainDiva. If you're not passionate about a particular business, don't bother starting one. Women can succeed at any business. It's a matter of passion, skills,and building the right teams of advisors, consultants, and employees. Since your sister processes mortgages, she probably knows a lot about real estate. How about investing in real estate, now that the market is soft? There are lots of books and seminars on the topic. She could take a look and see if she's interested.

Hi BDS,

You've recieved some very good advice here. Never make the mistake of assuming that a woman belongs in a "woman's business." I've known women who were succeeding in the moving business, big truck sales, junk yard and used car parts supply, jumbo jet piloting, and trekking guide - all businesses with a "manly" image.

So don't automatically rule out anything just because it seems too testosterone-heavy for a woman to handle. I don't care what kind of business it is; women can do it (and probably already are).

Just follow the advice already given to help your sister find her real interests and passions, then let her natural drive take over from there.

Cheers from sunny Japan,
Charles

Thanks all for the posts - I should have written it more carefully. I by no means think a woman has to be in an industry specifically for women. In fact the user who in my opinion has given the best advice on the community happens to be DomainDiva. There are women business owner I know who own insurance companys, Internet companys, a high school classmate of mines owns a string of Jiffy Lube franchises in Virginia, so I am well aware women are fully capable of doing anything a man can do, in fact our next president my be a woman.

My post was merely to look at the types of businesses that have the highest rates of sucess for women business owners to give my sister a starting point. Way not look at the low hanging fruit to see if there is anything shes interested in? We talked about her going into my line of business (property management) but she just wants to do something totally different after working in banking and real estate for over 18 years.

Great posts, good community!