Sexism still pervades the workplace.
As /’sas∙s’ē/ agency celebrates Women’s Small Business Month, we are talking to our female clients who run and own small businesses. In speaking with them, we have found that many have chosen to leave big business in exchange for being their own bosses, running their own companies and businesses.
According to the National Women’s Business Council, this strategy exists well beyond our pool of clients.
Statistics from the Center for Women’s Business Research:
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There are 27-million small businesses in the United States.
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28% of those businesses (7.7 million) are owned by women.
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In 2013 there are 20.1% more women owned businesses than there were in 2002.
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It’s projected that women owned businesses will account for one-third of all new jobs created in the year 2018.
However, while women-owned small businesses accounted for 33% of small business owners in the United States in 2006, federal government dollars to women-owned small businesses was only 3.4%.
The stats just don’t match up. The stats are a telling example that challenges still exist.
And yet, small business owners, like Marina Fradlin, owner of Shoe Train, a children’s shoe store in Potomac, Maryland, persevere.
As part of “Women’s Small Business Month,” we celebrate not only the store’s new female owner; but, we also celebrate the man who created, grew and then, with great confidence, sold his business — the entity that had been the backbone of his life — to a woman.
As part of “Women’s Small Business Month,” we celebrate not only the store’s new female owner, but also the man who created, grew and then, with great confidence, sold his business to a woman the store that had been the backbone of his life.
Shoe Train opened its doors more than 3-decades ago, the brainchild of Ed Jurgrau who, with the commitment and drive of “the little engine that could,” established a sustainable business that survived more than one recession, box store-mania and on-line retail. Ed Jurgrau created a children’s shoe store and a reputation. He has since passed on that reputation on to Marina Fradlin. It is hers to take into the 21st Century.
Three years ago, Marina purchased Shoe Train. With a background in the New York financial industry, the mother of one daughter takes being a female small business owner seriously.
“I am a business owner; I am a mother; I have a daughter. This is an important month that should be ripe with discussion about what it means to be a woman in business.”
Marina Fradlin is one of those business owners creating jobs and helping grow her community. As part of bringing awareness the contribution of women owned small businesses, we asked Marina a few questions about being a small business owner.
1) Why did you decide to purchase Shoe Train?
I bought Shoe Train because I was ready to go back to work after staying at home with my daughter after she was born. However, I didn’t want to return to my career in finance. I wanted quality of life, flexibility and time with my daughter. A finance career would not have allowed that. So, I decided to think outside of the box, find something creative for myself. When I saw that Shoe Train, a well-established community institution was available, I knew it was the perfect fit for me.
2) What has the experience been like?
Owning Shoe Train has been, is, phenomenal. It’s been a non-stop learning experience, and growing the business has been an evolution. As a small business owner, I am involved in every aspect of the business. I am contributing to the American economic system and I am proud of that. [Note: According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, the economic impact of women owned business is far-reaching. Women owned businesses provide jobs to 23-million people].
3) Have you ever owned a business before?
I never owned anything before buying Shoe Train. I never even ran a lemonade stand as a child. But buying Shoe Train and growing it as I have over the past three years has been personally satisfying. I see the impact on the community. I live in this community and so my success and the success of the business is paramount. My business means employment, community outreach, community give-back and involvement. I love being a business owner. I love being in a place that’s so community oriented. I love being able to meet so many people. And, ultimately everything comes down to me – that’s personally satisfying. Everything that goes right or wrong is ultimately my responsibility.
4) What does being an American Business Woman mean to you? Do you believe that you are setting an example for your daughter?
It’s important for my daughter to learn personal responsibility. Although I am my own boss and therefore I can come and go as I please, my daughter has had trouble grasping that it doesn’t mean I can do what I want. Everything in the store, from the cleanliness of the bathrooms to ordering shoes to paying bills is my responsibility. She’s learning that ultimately reporting to oneself is a lot tougher than reporting to a boss. I want my daughter to see that she can have an impact and that she should have an impact.
5) Has owning your own business enabled you to “have it all,” a family and work?
I work longer and harder owning Shoe Train than if I were to work for a large company. The store is a 7-day a week retail outlet. However, what I get out of being a small business owner is the flexibility to “have it all.” It’s been great to own my own business because I set my own schedule. I can go to my daughter’s games, drive her to activities and participate in her life as I want to. But at the end of the day I am a business owner, and what needs to get done, I need to make sure gets done.
6) Do you have any advice for women who may want to own their own business one day?
Owning a business gives you a great sense of satisfaction, but it’s not the easiest job. Ultimately, everything and everyone relies on you. Even when I am not physically at my store I worry and I plan. It’s definitely a 24/7 commitment.
Thank you Marina. Her web address is www.shoetrainpotomac.com.
To read our other blogs on the subject, hit this link.
