Whether or not it’s best for families to have two working parents is an important debate. However, for many of us it’s academic. My mother worked for pressing economic reasons - family survival. She and Dad, together, pioneered a new industry - recycling of bottles and cans on an industrial basis. The business idea took hold around Earth Day, 1970. For years Mom, a friend and their kids had spent Saturdays smashing bottles in to barrels they’d drive in a pick up truck to the glass plant in Dayville, Connecticut. It was a nice thing to do but clearly not impacting global resource consumption. Dad was the official entrepreneur and Mom was the inspiration, social force, the bread winner and the rock while the heroics of obtaining cooperation between consumers, municipalities, the solid waste industry and container manufacturers was painfully edged forward. Without her it could not possibly have happened. The four children (all girls) of this pioneering duo survived just fine. They are significant contributors to society and mothers of 10 terrific children. I write this as a second generation entrepreneur and single mother.
The U.S. Small Business Administration states that Small Business represents 99.7 percent of all employer firms. According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, nearly half (48%) of all privately-held U.S. firms are 50% or more women-owned. This means that 10.6 million firms are at least half owned by a woman or women. These firms employ 19.1 million people and generate nearly $2.5 trillion in sales. The Center for Women’s Business research has determined that one in 11 adult women is an entrepreneur. The majority of them are mothers. Thirty percent of the entrepreneurs who engage with The Center for Women & Enterprise are single mothers.
No more than 4.5% of venture capital however, goes to women entrepreneurs. Only a small minority obtain commercial financing for their ventures. They largely bootstrap growth with credit card debt, friends and family support, hope and stubborn determination. Child care is still terribly sparse in economically challenged areas, where women entrepreneurs are likely to be devising their path to economic freedom through entrepreneurial pluck. They are met with a bittersweet mix of respect and disapproval by families who manage to keep one parent at home for the children. School conference days are a challenge and without networks of support, it just wouldn’t be possible to get from one end of the week to the other.
My extraordinary mother died recently of colon cancer. I honor her every day as I imperfectly balance work with the needs and joys of my children. Mom didn’t get to all my track meets either. Looking back, it seems a small price to pay for the life lessons she taught me about hard work, generosity, determination and a belief that the world could be a better place through the individual efforts of someone with a heart and a mission. As a business model, the practice of weaving my personal commitment to socially responsible decision making throughout the fiber of Dancing Deer is clearly working for our brand, our employees and our customers. I believe that the ties between the individual values of management and the actions of an organization are inextricable. That can and should be a good thing. The Golden Rule is an invaluable compass. Mom showed me how it works and I use it daily. Whether I’m navigating the challenges of mothering or company-building it’s powerful stuff. What mother doesn’t understand that?
Trish Karter is co-founder and CEO of Dancing Deer Baking Co
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