Everyday we’re reminded that “old school” economic and business models are eroding many of the things we care most about. It is this passé “thinking” (such as the State of Tennessee in recent legislation – read here) in this new world that keeps me motivated to move forward every day in my personal, community, and business mantras.
When we slow down and look closely, it becomes quite apparent we’re surrounded by creative innovators who are collaborating their way to a new, shared prosperity. To bring light to these woman and help feed the craving to do business differently, Seattle Good Business Network and See Green Ventures created Women on a Mission, a day of discussion sparked by women innovators in local and sustainable business. (check out the line-up!)
As a founding member of Seattle Good Business Network, Mighty House Construction supported this inaugural event as a community partner. I spent a long day with fabulous women who are also working tirelessly to not only persevere over the antiquated way of living/doing business in this world, but more importantly triumph and lead businesses towards what success looks like in today’s economy. I met and heard from many tremendous women (speakers and attendees alike) who all make social, economic, and/or environmental justice a core value to the success/successfulness of their business.
The opening speaker, Carolyn Sanford (author of The Responsible Business), started the day saying that we all have “the ability to change the world by the actions you take everyday in your business.” (That’s what I’m talkin’ about!)
Musings by one of four men (out of a crowd of nearly 200) provide a unique perspective into the event (read here). The question was posed before, during, and after the event – how important is it that the event was for/about women in business? My first reaction is: not at all. Entrepreneurship, whether by a woman or a man, is still entrepreneurship. But my second thought is: yeah, it was nice that it was for/about women. Finding a community to help one hold and practice their inspiration is important. The more one has in common with another, the greater that community bond (and thus the support given and received) will likely be. The community that came forth at this event weren’t just business owners or or just focused on social/economic/environmental justice or just women… they were all of those things … and for this woman-[co-]owned business a much more likely community to reach out and garner inspiration from than other communities (in theory).