Inspiring advice from female business owners on IWD2019
Happy International Women’s Day 2019 everyone and congratulations to all those women who are succeeding in business and managing to balance the pressures of life and family. It can be tricky to succeed in what can still be a man’s world, but many women are climbing that ladder and breaking through the glass ceiling to become the boss.
Georgina Shaw has been running Shaw Marketing Services alongside Andy Turnbull for the last ten years, combining building the business with having a child. Georgina spoke to two female store directors from Specsavers Ópticas to ask their advice on owning their own business.
Lisa Teri James is a Director of three Specsavers Ópticas stores on the Costa Blanca: Torrevieja, Guardamar and new store La Zenia. Judith Borland, is the Director of Specsavers Ópticas in Fuengirola, the first Specsavers’s store to open on the Costa del Sol in 2007.
What is your advice for a young woman wanting to climb the ladder and become a Manager or Director of a business?
Lisa Teri James – “Go for it! Be prepared to work hard, and fight for your equal rights. Remind yourself you are equal to your male colleagues and stand your ground on things you believe in.”
Judith Borland – “My advice for young women wanting to climb the ladder and become either a Manager or Director of a business is to seize every opportunity that you can. If you are offered an opportunity to learn more, take it. If you are offered more responsibility, carry this out to the very best of your ability. To have a successful business I believe that you also have to have a passion for what you do.”
Georgina Shaw – “Get some great childcare! If you’re a Mum as well as an entrepreneur, it’s hard to juggle kids and run your own business, but the good news is that private nurseries and schools are very affordable here in Spain and they are often open late. There are also lots of after school clubs and good value childminders around, so you can know the kids are in safe hands and you can focus on your work.”
On International Women’s Day, what would be your advice for women looking to become successful?
Lisa Teri James – “Be proud to be a woman! Be strong to be successful, work harder to overcome the antiquated stigma that women are second best. Unfortunately, chauvinism is still alive and kicking, however, the new generation of men believe in equality and therefore things are improving and more women are rising to positions of power and responsibility. If you want to, don’t let being a woman hold you back.”
Georgina Shaw – “Believe in yourself and your ideas. Trust your instincts and put yourself forward to be noticed. Build a tribe of great women around you, who you can rely on to listen to your fears and be your cheerleaders. Plan for success and go out there and get it!”
Specsavers Ópticas has nine stores in Spain, seven of which have female directors. Specsavers is a company that promotes equality, and the path to success and is led by female Founder Dame Mary Perkins and her family. To find out more visit specsavers.es