By: Morgan Rush, studio

Some encouraging information for women trying to start a business: they’re not alone. The market is filled with success stories about women starting their own businesses. The Center for Women’s Business Research reports that in 2008, 10 million firms owned by women generated $1.9 trillion. Together these firms employ 13 million people. Women-owned firms comprise 40 percent of all privately held firms, according to the group’s studies. While 6 percent of firms owned by men generate $1 million or more, 3 percent of firms owned by women do the same.

By: Lahle Wolfe

Even the most motivated women entrepreneurs can struggle with deciding on the right business idea. For some budding entrepreneurs, ideas flow freely but never get off the ground. For others, ideas are vague and sketchy so are discarded and never fully explored. Deciding on the right business idea has as much to do with creating a business plan and feasibility study as it does doing some soul searching.

According to the World Bank, the UAE female labour participation rate (FLPR) in 2014 was 46 per cent. It means that nearly half of the country’s female population is working.

We all work hard. However, there is a zeal that characterizes female entrepreneurs which can be seen as all-consuming. We can be tough to live with, no doubt about it. Family is precious and how you relate and communicate during the building and growth of your enterprise is vital.