MaineBusiness.com

While (as of 2002) women may own 28% of U.S. businesses (only 4.2% of U.S. business revenue is generated by women-owned companies) women in the U.S. are starting businesses at over twice the rate, as are men. That being said, women tend to start businesses with different objectives than do men. Lifestyle is a concern to more women than men. Women, more than men, tend to start businesses that will allow them to work from home, be at home for the kids after school, take more time off in the summer when the kids are home from school, etc. In order to achieve such flexibility in schedule, growth and revenue are what are generally what is compromised. The article points to general risk aversion as keeping women from starting businesses. I don't know that I would agree with that statement, at least from where I sit. I see men and women alike deciding to start businesses, or not. The primary difference in the businesses they start has to do with the amount of time each is willing to spend away from home.

As a relatively new business owner I wanted control over my future as well as make a difference in the business world. As an interior designer I specialize in healthy sustainable designs. My goal is to help reduce the health risk many traditional building material cause to individual’s health. This can be done with both commercial and residential designs. All my designs start with a comprehensive design analysis to determine needs and issues that may need to be resolved. The results almost always will save the clients money in the long term by giving them the best use of their real estate investment, reducing medical bills, and by reducing stressed by fitting the design and proper materials to the project. It’s a good feeling knowing I can make a difference in people’s life both at home and at work. I took a class though Women Work and Community when starting out (New Ventures) which went through all the basics of running a business. There were 15 women in the class and I think all of us in some way wanted to make a living at making this world a better place to live and work.