If you’re contemplating launching your own business or struggling to earn the recognition you deserve in your career, the story of two fierce women entrepreneurs is a must-read. Meet Sarah Blake and Mia Turner, the founders of an online platform for edgy and unconventional art, called QuirkArt. When they embarked on their journey to provide an alternative to the overly sanitized art commonly found on sites like Etsy, they anticipated challenges—but they never expected the level of sexism they would encounter.
Initially, Sarah and Mia faced a lack of funding and minimal technical expertise. As they navigated their startup, they were met with skepticism from critics questioning their decision: “Are you sure this is what you want to do?” Many viewed their venture as merely a fun pastime, dismissing it as “a cute hobby,” as Mia recounted in an interview with a business magazine.
The most significant obstacle emerged when they began collaborating with predominantly male tech developers. Unfortunately, they were subjected to condescending remarks and dismissive attitudes. In one unfortunate incident, a male web developer retaliated against Mia’s refusal to date him by attempting to erase their project.
As the duo hired more tech professionals, they noticed a troubling pattern. Many began to address them with patronizing phrases like, “Okay, ladies,” instead of using their names, reflecting a common misogynistic attitude. Rather than allowing this disrespect to halt their progress, Sarah and Mia devised a clever solution: they invented a fictional male co-founder named Tom Rivers, who would handle all external communications.
This tactic yielded immediate results. Suddenly, the responses they received were prompt and respectful. “It was like night and day,” Mia exclaimed. Where they previously waited days for replies, Tom’s inquiries were met with urgency and offers of assistance. It was astonishing to witness the difference a fabricated male presence made in securing the respect they rightfully deserved.
“Should we really have to resort to this?” questioned Sarah. “It’s disheartening to think that an imaginary man garners more credibility than we do.” Sadly, this reflects the reality for many women striving to succeed in a male-dominated business landscape.
Sarah and Mia utilized the persona of Tom until they no longer needed him, but they remain open to bringing him back if necessary. While the situation is undeniably sad, it highlights a larger issue: despite advancements, women in 2017 still often feel compelled to adopt male identities to gain the professional respect they deserve.
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In summary, the experience of Sarah and Mia underscores the persistent challenges women entrepreneurs face in gaining respect within their industries. Their clever strategy of creating a fictional male co-founder highlights the unfortunate reality of sexism in the business world and serves as a reminder of the work still needed to achieve equality.