Girls In Tech

By GIT LA Member Shira Lazar

I got an email in my inbox today from a entrepreneurial friend of mine who happens to be a male. It read, “Are Women Thinking Big Enough?” and revolved around a keynote speech made by Susan Wilson Solovic, author of The Girls’ Guide to Building a Million-Dollar Business. In the email it mentioned how “on average, women-owned businesses are still smaller than their male counterparts. Although the gap has narrowed, women-owned firms make only 27% as much as the average of male-owned businesses.” At a big media conference that I’ll be hosting in a few weeks, the male to female ratio is still disappointing- I’m one of two females, while there will be around 10 men presenting on stage.

The answer to this continuing gender battle? Think Bigger.

I agree, but no matter how big we can all think, we still need to be taken seriously to get to that next level. Let’s be honest, as women we do raise the bar. Not only do we need to deal with the obstacles of innovation and reaching new heights, but there are other factors at stake. While building our brands and businesses, some of us have to deal with whether what we’re wearing is appropriate or not to “fit the part”, should children and family come now, in the near future or never, is that person helping me because they’re interested in me or what I have to offer?

From talking to many male entrepreneurs and mentors in my life, these questions simply aren’t embedded into their day-to-day lives. But maybe that’s it- we have to stop questioning ourselves. We have to trust our instincts. We have to believe we do own what we do, we do deserve bigger, better and have the right to go after that without people assuming we’re “hard-edged” or excuse my language, “bitchy”.

Twitter’s founder, Biz Stone once said:

Twitter is not about technology but about humanity.

This is important to realize as women in technology and business. I do believe that because of this more human element purveying our lives we will see more women not only interested, but valuable and respected users and creators.

And while we do continue bring our talents to countless industries, lets remind ourselves that whenever we feel pressures by any obstacles, to replace the word pressure with opportunity- and there is a lot of it!