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Entrepreneur path tougher for females
By James Dowd
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Although Denise Burnett loves her role as leader of one of the largest female-owned businesses in the region, she’s quick to note that being the boss is often a lonely job.
In addition to the inherent struggles of starting a business, female entrepreneurs often face gender-based obstacles that make running a successful company even more difficult.
Instead of becoming overwhelmed by the odds, Burnett said women should tackle challenges with integrity, professionalism and a commitment to excellence.
She speaks from experience, as the president of OR Nurses Inc., a small outfit she joined in 1988, a month after it was established by her late business partner, Carol Paterson. After Paterson’s death from ovarian cancer in 1990, Burnett assumed ownership of the company and guided it to a national presence.
Today, the company has grown to more than 300 health care professionals and corporate workers in nearly two dozen states.
“As a female in the business world, it can be difficult starting out and there may be those along the way who tell you that you can’t do it, that you won’t succeed,” Burnett said Thursday at the monthly meeting of the Society of Entrepreneurs. “There will be times when you’ll have to stand up for yourself and believe in your abilities, which can be daunting if you’re in a male-dominated industry.”
To facilitate success, Burnette said entrepreneurs must be willing to work harder than everyone else without compromising their standards.
And even though it may involve more effort at the onset, taking time to do a job right the first time will pay off both professionally and financially.
“Cutting corners for short-term gains just isn’t worth it,” Burnett warned. “Ultimately, your business rests on your reputation, and once you tarnish it you may never recover from it.”
That’s solid advice, said Karen Shea, principal of Shea Wealth Management.
“It’s not fair, but some people hold female-owned businesses to different standards from male-owned ones, so there’s an increased level of having to prove yourself,” Shea said. “It’s important to establish your reputation as top-notch from the start and prove that you can compete with the best of them.”
To balance all the hard work and sacrifice, Burnett said every entrepreneur should have at least one mentor to turn to for guidance and support. Also, making time to engage with other business owners can be the key to survival.
Toward that end, Burnett advocated joining peer groups. As a member of one of the Society of Entrepreneurs’ insight groups, Burnett regularly shares professional issues with other members at monthly meetings. It helps, she said, to get feedback from business owners facing similar issues and also to realize that she’s not alone.
“We can share our success stories as well as our failures and support each other through it all,” Burnett said.
“It’s a survival tool.”
– James Dowd: 529-2737
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