Breaking the New Glass Ceiling: Tips for Women Entrepreneurs

There are more women in the workplace than ever before, but among business owners, women still lag behind. According to the 2007 census, women made up about half the workforce but only 30% of all business owners.

“Entrepreneurship is the new glass ceiling for women to break,” according women’s empowerment coach, Michele Ashley, “Twenty to thirty years ago women were trying to find that balance between running a job, managing a house and raising a family. We’ve been there, done that. Now after spending some years in the corporate world, women are asking themselves, how can I create my own job?”

As the founder of CORE Compass Coaching, Michele regularly works with women struggling to break the “new glass ceiling”. For these women, Michele offers the following advice:

Get the Right Support- Michele suggests that you seek out networking groups, coaches and mentors that will not only cheer you on, but challenge you to take your business to the next level. “I cannot stress how important it is to surround yourself with the right kind of support. Network with other businesswomen in your field that can give you an eagle’s view of what’s working and what’s not. Surround yourself with women who are going to push you to push the envelope.”

Stay Focused- When you face challenges, remember why you became an entrepreneur in the first place. “You have to know who you are and what you’re striving for. You have to keep your eye on the horizon because when you’re in rough waters, it’s really easy to get shaken up and thrown off course.”

Be Flexible- “If you expect to achieve perfect work-life balance, you’ll burn out,” says Michele, “You have to get balance out of your vocabulary and learn proportion. That means one week you might be able to prioritize family, but the next, you’ll have to focus on a project or a business trip.” Keep a flexible attitude and seek help when you need it.

Michele spent ten years in corporate America before discovering her own entrepreneurial ambitions. “I didn’t have a map per se, but a desire to live life on my terms. Later that ‘goal’ became my passion for helping people with their own personal development. In time, after four years of professional training, I learned to follow that passion as a life coach – more specifically, a woman’s empowerment coach.”

To learn more about Michele and CORE Compass Coaching, visit www.CORECompassCoaching.com.