We begin seeing from an early age that women have an amazing ability to truly do it all. From multi-tasking moms who have taken the balancing act of being a working woman and mother to a true art form, to the deep sense of drive and determination that motivates the women small businesses owners and franchisees that we run into every day, it’s only fitting that there is a month dedicated to recognizing their hardworking achievements. This is why we are happy to join in celebrating National Women in Small Business Month this October!
The latest stats on women-owned businesses reveal that they have generated $1.5 trillion for the economy while employing close to 7.9 million people. And we have a couple of inspiring stories to add to the bunch that show off some inspirational women on the BizCom roster!
Mr. Electric’s First Female Franchisee in the UK
Earlier this year, Mr. Electric, a Dwyer Group brand and a global franchise organization providing electrical installation and service repairs, welcomed its first female franchise owner in the U.K. Demi Hoar opened her Mr. Electric business in Cardiff on September 1, 2016.
Demi Hoar, Mr. Electric franchise owner
Before taking the plunge into entrepreneurship, Demi served as a combat medical technician in the British Army. After leaving the military, Demi knew that she wanted to own her own business. Determined to open and develop her own successful business, she became a qualified electrician and invested in her very own Mr. Electric franchise.
Being the first female-owned Mr. Electric in the country, Demi’s business marks the 18th franchise location for Mr. Electric in the U.K.
But Demi represents so much more than a woman-owned business. Demi’s U.K. opening also marks the rising popularity for the Women in The Trades program that Mr. Electric supports and promotes around the world as part of The Dwyer Group, Inc.
Women in the Trades Program Increases Awareness and Opportunity
The Women in The Trades program got its start when Dina Dwyer-Owens, now the Co-Chair of Dwyer Group, first appeared on “Undercover Boss” in 2012. Her journey working alongside a female service professional was so inspiring, that it sparked a big idea to encourage and educate more women looking for career opportunities across the service trades. That led to the creation of the Women in The Trades program, which launched a women’s uniform line across Dwyer Group’s service brands, heightened awareness for women in the industry and continues to grant scholarships to women across the service trades every fall and spring semester.
In a recent feature with Global Franchise Magazine, Dina shared how the program got its start, ways it has grown, and the message she continues to deliver about opportunities in the business.
“Women in the Trades is an educational and informational outreach program to tell more women about the opportunities that exist within the service trades, from front-line service professional all the way to franchise owner. And we are constantly shining the spotlight on women across our service brands to broaden that message with real-life examples.” – Dina Dwyer-Owens, Co-chair of Dwyer Group
From Girls Night Out to Full-time Fun
And here’s another real-life example of women living the dream. Women continue to dominate ownership across the world’s fastest-growing paint and sip chain: Pinot’s Palette.
In a recent interview with Crain’s Houston, Pinot’s Palette Co-Founder and President Charles Willis revealed that 159 franchise owners are women across some 180 studios open and in development. What has taken the entertainment industry by storm as the perfect Girls Night Out has also turned into full-time fun for many women business owners.
Meanwhile, Pam Bartlett, franchise owner of the studio in Naperville, Illinois, showed just how rewarding the career could be at the grassroots level. Last year, Pam recorded the highest sales of any studio and was named as the inaugural member of the Pinot’s Palette “Million Dollar Club.” Read about it in The Chicago Tribune.
Pam Bartlett, Pinot’s Palette franchise owner
Pam has been a Naperville resident for the past 25 years and is committed to giving back to the community. This combined with her superior level of customer service has allowed her to be one of the most successful franchisees of the fastest-growing paint and sip chain in the world with only two years of operations under her belt.
What these women have accomplished for their own businesses, their brands and the industries at-large that they champion is just the latest in a growing list of accomplishments that indicate a multitude of success for women in small business. Here’s to the outstanding way they lead by example and the growing number of women who are sure to follow.
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