What can we do?

The past year we have witnessed so much…

I thought long and hard about about whether or not to do another issue of Her Umbrella Magazine during Covid and eventually, I realised that now, more than ever we need hope.

If there is one thing that I have learned in the past couple of years it is that women in business are amazingly resilient. While the pandemic has affected us all I have been constantly inspired by the determination to power on, in the women around me especially these amazing women that come together to create Her Umbrella Magazine.

For years, women have been making massive strides in the realm of business, reaching further and higher than ever before—and the support of other female entrepreneurs is a great way to boost that growth even further and create pathways for change, even in a pandamic.

As women, running businesses or starting a business couldn’t be more challenging. But we can support each other in many ways. By speaking up if we see inequality in real life and support causes that are women-related on social media. Supporting one another individually is also an important way to help. For example, mentoring a younger woman in business or promoting individual businesses that are created by women empowers the female entrepreneur community.

One of the most impactful things female entrepreneurs can do to support other women in business is to simply ask them what they need and then commit to providing it for them. Whether it's a resource, an introduction or a strategy, providing the solution for them not only fast tracks their success and creates goodwill but it teaches them the invaluable skill of being a resource provider.

If every female entrepreneur routinely and intentionally shared resources, provided other women in business with solutions and paid it forward, it would create a transformational ripple for women-owned businesses.

Here are 10 ways to show your support.

1. Share your story

2. Be open and honest

3. Support other businesses

4. Celebrate one another’s victories

5. Help women to be heard

6. Connect with others

7. Share your knowledge

8. Meet up for coffee or brunch (online or in person where possible)

9. Check in to see how people are doing

10. Ask how you can help

The women that join me under Her Umbrella demonstrate every day the life changing influence of sisterhood and the support this connection brings.

Is there anything more powerful than an outstretched hand of another woman in your direction?