Dear Silo,
For the next month, North Americans will be celebrating and honoring women and their journey throughout history. But it’s also important to look at what’s in store for the future. Right now, more than 9 million women own a business in the U.S.A. alone. It’s all part of a change in tide as women gain more power in the workplace. But this shift has not come easy.
I should know. While I earned millions in the male-dominated industry of RV sales, my climb to the top has been tough. At my first owner’s meeting, they told me to “go home and bake cookies.” Instead, I pushed forward to outsell and out-service all the competition. I decided to stay at the office and build an empire, while paying someone to bake cookies for me.
The “good ole boys” network in the RV industry conspired to keep me out. But I learned to operate in a man’s world, carving out my path to success. Like other women, I have rewritten the rules and redefined the business climate, proving that any woman can succeed in any industry, regardless of gender boundaries.
My life story reads like a bestseller, complete with plot twists and shady characters. I’m a single mother who never completed high school. Early on in my career, a trusted father-figure mentor betrayed me, and on top of that, I was stabbed 21 times and left for dead—a steady dose of stress that should have put me out of commission before my 30th birthday.
While my drive and passion have helped me move forward, there were women in our history that broke down barriers for us all. Look at Lillian Vernon, the CEO of a mail-order empire. Or Debbi Fields, who went home, baked cookies, and made millions.
It was very early on in my life that was met with major hurdles, and many female entrepreneurs in American history will tell you the same. It was “sink or swim, and sinking wasn’t an option. What will keep you going is an inner drive, an inner hunger to prove to yourself and others that anything is possible. Yes, you will encounter many obstacles, but you can always find a way to move around the obstacle. And that’s the key to success.
My advice to any woman out there looking to succeed in business is to maintain your passion. . If you’re just starting out in the workforce, your mentality should be “work to LEARN,” not “work to EARN.” That way, you can get everything you need to be successful in a business of your own.
Remember that failing at one venture can help you become a millionaire, and don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone. Becoming an unstoppable entrepreneur is all about doing things differently and finding those untapped areas of opportunity. Look at Oprah Winfrey, a media maven who constantly finds new endeavors to strengthen her brand.
Similarly, I have found ways to not only sustain, but also grow my business while my competitors are shutting their doors. Instead of solely relying on RV sales, I started to examine ancillary revenue sources, including an RV rental business, creating an in-house interior design team, and offering customized RVs for every industry, including mobile hair salons and spas, boutiques, and even chiropractor’s offices.
Right now in America, it is an amazing time for women to grow and expand professionally. We must appreciate our new opportunities, and never be afraid to find our entrepreneurial spirit. This Women’s History Month, let’s appreciate the past and charge into the future. For the Silo, Gigi Stetler -author Unstoppable! Surviving is Just the Beginning.