International Women’s Day
Organising Your Kitchen
24th February 2022
Greenscombe Accounting
24th February 2022
March 8th is a day that belongs to all women, everywhere. International Women’s Day highlights how women all over the world have fought, and still fight, for gender equality.
The International Women’s Day 2022 campaign theme is #BreakTheBias. Imagine a world free of bias, a world where stereotypes didn’t exist, a world without discrimination; this is the goal that millions of women around the world are campaigning for and they are asking that you join the fight to break the bias.
Currently, women face inequality and bias in all parts of their lives and the workplace is no different. Inequality is even higher in women of colour, trans women, and women of marginalised groups. The coronavirus pandemic highlighted how disproportionately women are affected in the workplace. In 2020 alone, women globally lost $8 billion in income. Reports by Oxfam International showed that in the first year of the pandemic more than 64 million women lost their jobs, that’s around 5% of total jobs held by women. By comparison, only 3.9% of men’s jobs were lost in the same period. Globally women make up 70% of the health and social care workforce, this sector includes essential but low-wage jobs.
In 2022 women are still being passed over for high-paid roles and are still overrepresented in many low-wage roles, such as waitressing, child-care, and housekeeping.
During the pandemic two of the main reasons that millions of women had to leave their jobs was the lack of childcare available and because the roles they held were the highest casualties of lockdowns. Currently, mothers are three times more likely to be responsible for the majority of housework and child care than fathers. Women are also twice as likely to worry about their work performance being judged negatively by employers because of their caregiving responsibilities.
In the last few years, women have made significant gains in representation in the workplace but research shows that bias still contributes to women being passed over for jobs and promotions. It’s clear that we still have a long way to go, so in 2022 we need to campaign even louder. Employers and the government need to actively do more to break the bias women face in the workplace. 2022 needs to see the beginning of more options for women to retrain for higher paid job roles in all job sectors and companies need to offer more flexibility for women with families. Companies need to take women’s experiences in the workplace more seriously.
Over 60 percent of women state they have faced micro-aggression at work but fewer than half report this behaviour because they are afraid of being labelled emotional or judged incapable. Companies need to educate staff members, including senior management, on appropriate behaviour and language to ensure that women do not face negative bias in their workplace.
This International Women’s Day you can join the #BreakTheBias campaign and help call out gender bias and inequality. As women, we need to come together and actively challenge any bias we encounter. Don’t be afraid to call out inequality when you see it, awareness and education are the key pillars to ensuring that we end gender bias. For the whole of March why not use your social media platforms to celebrate the women in your life, share their achievements, tell them how proud you are of them, be their biggest fan. Never forget we are stronger together and by working together we will end inequality for all women!
Information regarding International Woman’s Day and how to join the challenge can be found at https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
Let’s hear what our Plymouth business women have to say:
ELSIE BOO-TIQUE – PARIS COOPER
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your business.
My name is Paris, I started Elsie Boo-tique Wax Melts from my kitchen in lockdown! Being a huge wax melt and candle user myself, I noticed the brands I used weren’t lasting as long as I would like, so I made my own and ended up with lots of great feedback and repeat orders!
Have you noticed any bias being a female business owner?
I do notice some men don’t tend to take my business very seriously sometimes or are a bit condescending but I don’t know if that’s due to me being female or me having a predominantly female based target audience and a very feminine brand image.
Have you noticed any positive changes to the way the world views female business owners?
I love the fact more women feel that they can have the confidence to start their own business, It can be pretty lonely and stressful, but there is so much more support now which is amazing!
What would you say to a female reader who may be keen to start their own business?
Do it! But be realistic and don’t expect instant results, it’s worth it to see your business grow and know you’ve done it all yourself!
WOOLLCOMBE YONGE – RAEGAN LEATHER
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your role in the business.
I have been with Woollcombe Yonge for over four years now and work within the Wills, Trusts & Probate team. I have recently been promoted to Head of the Department and am now responsible for overseeing my team, driving us forward to achieve greater things.
Have you noticed any bias as a female in a male-dominated industry?
I have been fortunate enough not to have experienced this within my industry as I have always tended to work under a female led team. The Managing Partner of Woollcombe Yonge is female, as are two other Heads of Department so female success is strongly supported and encouraged, and I would hope many other businesses also operate in this way.
Have you noticed any positive changes to the way the world views females in business?
There are so many successful high-profile women in business now who are taking the lead and creating the path for others to follow. The limitations previously placed on women are disappearing, with many being able to balance both a career and a family life, and it’s exciting to see more women in top roles.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to a young woman just starting out in her career?
Along with hard work, it is important to always have a positive attitude. Being around someone who is positive makes you feel that way too, and encourages people to work harder and achieve more.
https://woollcombeyonge.co.uk/
NOOK HOUSEPLANTS – BECCA & NIEVE
Tell us a little bit about yourselves and your business.
We are Becca & Nieve, and we own Nook Houseplants! We set up our website during the first lockdown and in April last year we opened our first physical shop on The Barbican in Plymouth. We’re a specialist houseplants shop, sourcing a range of indoor plants and pots for our customers, as well as some rarer varieties too! We also offer plant maintenance, corporate gifting, plant hire, wedding and party favours.
Have you noticed any bias being female business owners?
To be honest, we haven’t! The independent business community in Plymouth is a vibrant and diverse scene, and we have enjoyed being welcomed into it.
Have you noticed any positive changes to the way the world views female business owners?
It feels like there has been a positive change in the way that independent businesses are viewed in general, and that there has been a drive to support them over bigger, more corporate outfits, due to the challenges of the pandemic. We really appreciate that our customers choose to shop with us, take the time to leave us a review, and come back again – being able to offer a more personalised service as a small business feels like a win-win for both us and the customer.
What would you say to a female reader who may be keen to start their own business?
The key for us was starting small and building up to both being able to focus on Nook as a full-time job, rather than a side hustle. It’s great to be brimming with ideas, but it’s also ok if it takes you a while to get there. If you’re working with a business partner then figure out who is best at what and delegate roles, everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Instruct a good accountant/book-keeper and they’ll look after you and your businesses. And go and introduce yourself to other indie businesses owners in your area, find out who is keen to collaborate and allow yourself to be supported by others who understand how stressful going it alone can be!
https://www.nookhouseplants.com/
TREVI – HANNAH SHEAD
In celebration of International Women’s Day this year, Trevi, the leading women’s charity in Devon, is asking you to join their Shero campaign and nominate an awesome woman in your life. The charity believes now more than ever women need to be recognised and celebrated for social, economic, cultural and political achievements.
Based in Plymouth, Trevi is a nationally award-winning women’s charity and employs over 90 women. The charity provides safe and nurturing spaces for women in recovery to heal, grow and thrive. Trevi’s vision is for a society where all women in recovery can access good quality, psychologically informed, gender-based interventions without apology.
In the 29 years that Trevi has been operating, the organisation has helped transform the lives of thousands of women and their children. Trevi supports more than 550 women and children every year who are affected by domestic violence and abuse. From rehab and health to housing and employment, Trevi helps any woman in recovery move from ‘surviving’ to ‘thriving’.
Their centres include a residential rehabilitation centre for mums and their children, Jasmine Mother’s Recovery, a family assessment centre – Daffodil Family Centre; and Sunflower Women’s Centre, which supports women in recovery from addiction, mental ill-health, domestic abuse, sexual violence, and criminogenic behaviours
Hannah Shead has been Chief Executive of Trevi since November 2011 and says,
“I am proud of the work Trevi has continued to achieve in supporting women and their children. There have been some high-profile tragedies recently that have shed light on the reality of violence against women and girls. Those working in the sector recognise that this is not a new phenomenon, and we work tirelessly to provide support and services to women who need us.” – Hannah Shead
CHESTNUT APPEAL – LESLEY-ANN SIMPSON
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your business.
I’m Lesley-Ann Simpson and have been at the helm of The Chestnut Appeal for Men’s Health for just over 18 years. The charity not only raises awareness of Prostate, Testicular Cancer and the little talked about Penile Cancer, the money we raise along the way helps us make a positive difference to men and their families right across the region, purchasing equipment, treatment and funding salaries for specialist nurses. We also run a prostate cancer support group.
Have you noticed any bias being a female business owner?
Personally no, or if there has been any bias I haven’t noticed as I’ve been too busy, however the national statistics show perhaps a different story. There has been some movement among chief executives in relation to gender, however according to the most recent National Council for Voluntary Organisations Almanac it’s fair to say that women are still significantly underrepresented in charity leadership. There are very few female leaders in the voluntary sector with only 43% of charities are led by female Chief Executives and Chairs, however this figure falls to 27% for charities with a turnover of over £10 million. As of 2021, the average median salary for men is about 18% higher than women’s
Have you noticed any positive changes to the way the world views female business owners?
I consider myself to be in a privileged position, running a male cancer charity in the SW of England, I get to experience the best in humanity as we all strive to help the cause, over the years as I’ve grown with the role I’ve noticed that men tend to listen more when I talk to them about their health and get them to seek help if they feel like something is wrong, or indeed are at higher risk from developing cancers.
What would you say to a female reader who may be keen to start their own business?
I would say do it, being a female in 2022 shouldn’t hold you back from doing anything you want to do, our region has lots of support and business networking groups you can get involved with, that are inclusive and I can honestly say, being a woman has never held me back!
https://chestnutappeal.org.uk/
EXCALIBER – STELLA GOODMAN
I started in financial services as a single parent of three children and am eternally grateful for my manager who saw my potential. So many women already have skills they can bring to the workplace – budgeting, negotiation, great organisational skills, bags of energy and enthusiasm – the list goes on. The trick is to make women realise their skill set and unfortunately even in todays times, so many women underestimate themselves.
To the end, I have always encourages women into my business and have been rewarded by great employees who are tenacious and loyal.
I am proud to have given the opportunity to Asmi Stanley to join Excaliber as a mortgage advisor and for those who have the opportunity to attend the conference on Monday 7th March, you will be surely empowered by her story..
Halo Hairdressing – Julie & Sarah
Tell us a little bit about yourselves and your business.
Sarah and I have been a partnership since 2009 after Plymouth and South Devon coop decided to sell the non-food departments, including the salon that we both worked in. We have survived two recessions and numerous lockdowns!
Have you noticed any bias being a female business owner?
Being female business owners, especially Sarah, who is younger than me and was only in her early twenties at the time we bought the business, we did notice at times, an element of surprise when dealing with either reps or workmen, when we needed services. In conversations I have been told, “we won’t explain in detail as you won’t understand “! In the earlier years, when asked if the owner is around, we have seen a look of surprise when we have explained that we are the owners!
Have you noticed any positive changes to the way the world views female business owners?
When buying our new premises, an old bank, we both detected an element of surprise when we turned up to meet some professionals quoting us for works needed. Partly as we were women and partly the younger age we think. As the years have passed, I would say that there are noticeable positive changes and as we meet with professionals we don’t have the element of surprise.
What would you say to a female reader who may be keen to start their own business?
To any female owner who may be thinking of starting their own business, we would say “go for it”!
https://www.halo-hairdressing.co.uk/
