PRESS RELEASE (11-3-2010)
Female business owners say best way to hold senior position is be your own boss
Female members of the National Association of Business (NABO) owners believe the best way to occupy a senior role is to set up your own business.
Statistics published recently on International Women’s Day show that the Boards of some of the top 100 public companies don’t have female representation and none have a female majority.
Commenting on the continuing inequality in the corporate world, Fiona Challis, member of NABO and founder of Sales and Sensibility said: “Whilst it’s disappointing to learn that gender inequality at boardroom level still exists l’m not surprised at the latest figures.
“It’s extremely difficult for women, particularly mothers, to break through that glass ceiling and hold down senior roles whilst being a mother. I feel strongly that a significant reason why women aren’t properly represented at Board level is because the corporate world makes it extremely tough for working mothers.
Commenting on her own experience, Fiona continued: “Prior to establishing Sales and Sensibility l occupied a senior role at a top computer software organisation and was offered a promotion however l knew this would mean sacrificing my home and personal life.
“With a young son l wasn’t prepared to do this and soon realised the only way l would be able to operate at the level l’m capable of and still be able to pick my son up from school would be to become my own boss.”
Fiona and other female members of NABO, Roz Watkins and Debra Robson-Lawrence, have all faced negativity in a corporate environment which led them to seek an alternative career path.
Roz Watkins had forged a hugely successful career and at its pinnacle was managing partner of a large intellectual property law firm. In spite of her success, Roz decided to leave this lucrative job and become a business owner.
“I had spent a large proportion of my life working towards a career in law but when l achieved my ambition of becoming partner l wasn’t happy. Yes, l was partner in a successful law firm but l had no work-life balance and never saw daylight.
“I asked the other partners if l could adapt my hours and work part-time but this was met with huge resistance and l knew l needed to make some changes. So l set up The Enlighten Programme and l still work lots of hours but l have the flexibility to do those hours when l choose.”
Debra Robson-Lawrence owns a successful semi-permanent make-up clinic in Harley Street. She believes that for many women, running their own business is the only way they’ll be able to gain career satisfaction.
“I found it very difficult working for someone else whilst trying to bring up my children as employers just don’t understand the pressures of working whilst being a mother. I’m not for one minute saying that working mothers should be given an easy ride but l think there’s lots the corporate world could do to make sure they hang on to extremely talented women.
“For me, the only option was to set up my own business. Now, l have a very successful clinic which gives me a huge amount of satisfaction and my work and home life is well balanced.”
NABO is a new organisation aimed at business owners across the UK and Ireland and is committed to helping business owners increase the success of their companies and boost profits.
Membership is free and members gain access to free information and special events to help them create successful, profitable companies.
NABO’s founder, multi-millionaire entrepreneur Jonathan Jay, said: “It’s disappointing to hear that British Boards still aren’t realising the impact successful women could have on some of our top companies but if it means these women will set up their own businesses this can only be a positive as l’m sure we’ll see lots more innovative and interesting businesses being established.”
-ends-
NABO Press Office
Paul Green and Jonathan Jay, Co-Founder Members of NABO, are available for interview or comment relating to this press release or any aspect of business at any time.
The NABO Press Office can also provide media with access to case studies of successful business owners.
For further enquiries, images, access to spokespeople or case studies contact Pete Wadsworth.
T: +44 (0) 8452 303049
E: press@publicityheaven.com
Notes to Editors
About NABO
The National Association of Business Owners (NABO) is funded by marketing and business growth company SuccessTrack, which sponsors its infrastructure and services.
NABO was conceived and set up by Jonathan Jay, the founder of SuccessTrack. NABO is supported by other founder members including PR marketing company PublicityHeaven.com; web marketing expert EdRivis.com; and sales and marketing expert Fiona Challis from Sales & Sensibility.
Follow NABO on Twitter @businessownerUK
