March is Women’s History Month. So what?

I retired from a bank, not from life and still enjoy sharing information as it relates to business and/or professional women.

In that connection, I discovered some remarkable facts of particular interest and this is by no means a complete view of information garnered, just some highlights of my own personal interest.

·    Center for Women’s Business Research. Statistics for Houston in 2004 confirmed that “nearly half of all private held firms represent 50% or more women-owned. These 158,239 firms generate $50.2 billion in sales and employed 324,876 people.”

·    Compare that to current data found on www.businesswire.com : “Between 1997 and 2012, when the number of businesses in the United States increased by 37%, the number of women-owned firms increased by 54%, a rate 1.5 times the national average.” With regards to geographic trends, one of the states with the fastest growth in the number of women-owned firms during the past 15 years includes Texas at 75% growth.

·    Finally I found some interesting facts from The State of Women-Owned Business Report commissioned by American Express OPEN: “Averaging together the ten-year growth rankings in the number, revenue and employment of women-owned firms in the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the country-to look at combined economic clout –reveals …SanAntonio and Houston, TX at # 2 and #3.” The industry trend section reports that “Women-owned firms continue to diversify into all industries.”

This is both amazing and encouraging at the same time.  Consider how any professional membership fits into these numbers and also how each of us serves or is being served by these companies or contacts.  This confirms to me that there is more than enough business to go around for every one regardless of any self-defined niche.

There are countless articles about how women are more inclined to do business with other women. Additionally, women emphasize relationship building as well as gathering facts and may take more time to make decisions in her business.  The quality of a membership, mentoring group, and special interest group lends to that process from giving to receiving referrals and establishing relationships.

Many have heard me say that sometimes it is not who you know but who knows you, and the best way to be known is to get involved.  What are you doing to make a difference and make your communications work for you? 

Funerals can also be Inspiring

Funerals can be sad as we recall someone much loved who is no longer here with us.  However, they can also be uplifting as the one for my Aunt Dude (Julia Buck Francis) on Wednesday.  She lived a life of service and was also known, loved, and appreciated for her resourcefulness while raising her five children.

Her oldest child, Betty Ann Francis Zeamer, provided the eulogy which spoke volumes and touched every heart and tearful eye at the service.  She provided a perfect eye view into the life of her mother from young love, a mother, grandmother, great grandmother and her famous, enjoyed by all, biscuits.  My heart was heavy as I entered the chapel and was lightened by the love-filled words of remembrance for one so special and beloved.  Betty spoke of the dash between the birth date and departure date which I have heard about many times over the years from others. However, in the instance of my aunt, the way she lived “the dash” between her birth and date of death will be recalled by hundreds and only in favor.

She would be most proud to see how each of her children comforted each other during her transition to heaven and in the recent days that followed her departure.  What a joy to share our wonderful memories as children with our many cousins.  I could actually see the love of my aunt reflected and expressed in each of her now grown children whose ages range from 53 to 64, if memory serves.

I am equally proud of my mother who loves my cousins as her own children and looks forward to the many days left that we can all share together.  In the passing of her sister my mother also lost her best friend with whom she could share anything. Some sisters do have that type of relationship but not nearly enough.  

I got home tonight and the first thing I did was make biscuits.  Was I hungry? No. Was I remembering my Aunt Dude who shared a tip or two about making biscuits? Absolutely.  Were they as good as hers? No way but who can really duplicate perfection.