Has the #MeToo Event Changed the Way You Run Your Business?

How have you changed the way you run your business since the #MeToo event?

It’s been more than a year and a half since the #MeToo hashtag took off on Twitter, and the movement that activist Tarana Burke started in 2006 became an unavoidable part of the national conversation. Since then, discussions around workplace sexual assault and harassment are being heard in a way they weren’t before. 

Many female entrepreneurs are taking the #MeToo seriously -- definitely not sweeping it under the rug.  Here's what 5 women entrepreneurs are doing and what you can do too to keep the #MeToo issue front and center as you run your business.

After You Work for a Genius, Can You Go Off On Your Own?

Marilyn Van Alstyne (pictured) left working for P. Diddy and started her own business, EMVE Management.  Here's how her thinking went.

“After realizing that I worked alongside Puff for 20 years, I started to think to myself, if I worked for a genius and he has built all of this, what can I build on my own?” After long days of self-reflection, Van Alstyne did what millions of people yearn to find the courage to do: She quit her job.

Keep in mind that Marilyn started working for P. Diddy as an intern and felt she had landed her dream internship.

While still in high school, Van Alstyne traveled 1.5 hours each way to the Combs Office in Manhattan. Back then Uber did not exist, and taxi cabs didn’t come to her neighborhood, so she did what needed to be done.  While only being compensated with two tokens and $5 a day, Van Alstyne dedicated her life to being one of the most reliable and respected women at Combs Enterprises.

She did it all:  answered phones, reconciled accounts, everything to grow a business.  After 4 years, she became an employee. The rest is history.  Did she have doubts before she left?  You bet.

“For a while, I’d ask myself, what if I do not make it? Now that there is no Bad Boy or Puff to lean on, can I do this on my own?” pondered Van Alstyne. 

Read more to learn what happened with Marilyn and how she shares her top 3 money lessons.

Is Being Called a Female Entrepreneur a Label?

Being an entrepreneur is hard -- male or female.

Business owner Susan Guillory (pictured) says:

People like to create two categories for business owners: entrepreneurs and female entrepreneurs. I have never understood why the two have to be separated. 

What about you?  Do you think there is or should be a distinction between male and female entrepreneurs?  Do you find that being called a female entrepreneur is a label?

To brush up, read an old EFCA blog post (9/14/07), "Are Male and Female Entrepreneurs Really That Different?"

Read on to learn additional thoughts from Guillory on this topic, including, how to come up with your own unique style.

Becoming Billionaires

The infographic featured in the article below shows how far women can reach with hard work and perseverance. Highlighting their accomplishments is especially important so it can inspire young girls to go after anything they put their minds to.

Read more about women becoming billionaires.