198826 Resource 187006 187132 187132 1204738394696 1204738418677 Controlled What would one expect from a room full of women entrepreneurs?

Reflections from Renee Fraser on the 2008 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards

Last Friday I attended an awards ceremony in <city w:st="on" />Orlando</city /> <state w:st="on" />Florida</state /> for the top women business owners in the <country-region w:st="on" /><place w:st="on" />US</place /></country-region />. <a title="Enterprising Women Home Page" href="http://www.enterprisingwomen.com/" target="_blank">Enterprising Woman Magazine</a> does this annually and this year I was a winner in the top category – Businesses of over $25 million. My advertising agency hit $40 million in revenue this last year. I was shocked to learn that my firm and the others in this category represent the top one-half of one percent of women owned companies in the <place w:st="on" /><country-region w:st="on" />US</country-region /></place />. I thought a few observations would be worth sharing.The group of winners, finalists and board members – about 125 in total – were from throughout the <place w:st="on" /><country-region w:st="on" />U.S.</country-region /></place /> A great looking group of strong and powerful women. What was remarkable was the sense of determination and perseverance. CEO’s and presidents of companies ranging from manufacturing, freight, IT to marketing and advertising, the common thread was our devotion to our companies. The focus was on growth and revenue not on competing. In contrast to award ceremonies I have been at with men and women, I was struck by the lack of references to “winning,” beating the others or breaking records.  All of these women had received accolades in their home cities – CEO of the Year, Leading Business Woman, Humanitarian awards, etc., so they were not lacking in recognition. But there was a sense of let’s get on with the business – none of us were done. These women had what it takes – they work hard, they know how to sell, they run efficient and profitable companies and they are proud of it.On a sad but revealing note - few of the women brought their spouses. In fact, sitting with me was one of the winners in my category (a woman from <city w:st="on" /><place w:st="on" />Dallas</place /></city />); she shared with me that she had not even told her husband about the award or the event. She runs a $60 million company where he is the CFO and she told him she had a business meeting in <state w:st="on" /><place w:st="on" />Florida</place /></state />. What a shame. She explained that he was not the best of company at these ceremonies and it was not worth telling him. She did not want to take the negative attitude and comments.  Then other winner at my table with another $35 million company explained that she had been divorced for 3 years and that her success was inversely related to the happiness in her marriage. What a shame – all of us know that personal happiness is key. If we don’t get support from those around us – we are being handicapped. The old phrase “Behind every powerful man, there is a good wife.” Shouldn’t that be true for women leaders? I suspect this is one reason we keep our businesses smaller than men – we need to ”keep the peace.”These women are not alone. I took my husband Scott to the event. He was delightful at the dinner, but leading up to it, it was not easy. Somehow these recognition events reflect more on them than on us. It seems to heighten concerns about ego, comparisons, lack of accomplishment, etc. I don’t have the answers to this. I just see the phenomenon around me.I would be interested in hearing how other successful women deal with their husbands egos – especially when their accomplishments are being recognized. Is this an unspoken force holding us back? Will this change with younger generations?Renee 10 application/xml false Enterprising Women Magazine Fraser Communications Renee Fraser Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 5.1) 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 reneefraser 205.147.59.193 false true false false true 187283 false false true false false false true 200204 Resource 187283 173239 187132 1206398370485 1206404903534 Controlled Husbands

Congrats on your award and all your accomplishments!!

Much of my success is contributed to my husband's love and support. I always acknowledge him whenever I have a successful moment - because it is our team approach with eachother and our son that enables me, and him, to thrive! 10 application/xml false Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.30) 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 209.78.214.253 false true false false true 200278 Resource 187283 173239 187132 1206487136926 1206556875066 Controlled Sounds like an excellent idea for an article

From the publisher of Enterprising Women Magazine

Thank you for your insights, Renee.  We did see a great many women with spouses and children in the audience at the Enterprising Women of the Year Awards Celebration, but you are quite right that a number of women did not travel with spouses. Some travel so often that I suspect their husbands are used to having them away on the road.  Your comments are food for thought...we'll look into an article that explores this topic and also consider how we can spotlight those very important spouses and significant others as we plan for next year's event. 10 application/xml false Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; AOL 9.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322) 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 205.188.117.13 false true false false true 200280 Resource 187283 173239 187132 1206487428339 1206556573849 Controlled Husband's Egos

I've been blessed with tremendous spousal support!

I am saddened to hear that other women are not getting the spousal support that they deserve and earned.  I agree with Maureen's comment about a team approach to success.  I always suspected that I was in the minority with such a supportive husband.I unfortunately lost my husband to a rare cancer 11 years ago, leaving me with 2 children (then 9 & 10) to raise.  We met in business school and he had been my biggest career fan.  Over time, my career took off and he truly knew how happy that made me.  He gave up an international finance position at a large telecommunications company to move the family to Paris for my ex-pat, global opportunity.  He told me if I thought it was the right thing to do, then he would be 100% supportive.  It was the best decision we ever made for our family (but did not know it at that time!).  As Mr. Mom (and he truly loved this role), he got to spend some very valuable time with the children before he was diagnosed about one year into our stay.My children are now grown and I'm at a career crossroad trying to convince myself to start my own company.  I cannot tell you how much I miss his support at this critical juncture.   I do have the skills and experience to start a business, and I am inspired by confidence he instilled in me.  Renee, congratulations on your award!  I am surprised about the one-half of one percent statistic for women owned companies @ $25M+.  I do like your comments on perseverance and determination vs. winning.  I was schooled in the "winning" ways!  Thanks for your insights. 10 application/xml false Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; AOL 9.1; AOLBuild 4334.34; Windows NT 5.1; .NET CLR 1.0.3705; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; Media Center PC 4.0; IEMB3; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; IEMB3) 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 207.200.116.139 false true false false true 187006 blog blogsite/ReneeFraser/web