In the wake of the second annual Women’s March, the U.S. media is highlighting stories of women from across the nation. Diverse in ethnicities, sexuality, wealth and levels of education, these women have one thing in common: their strength. Inspired by this era of women empowering one another, there is no better time for me to join a woman-owned company.

In choosing to pursue a career at JPA Health, the opportunity to learn from Principal Carrie Jones, along with the other 11 women holding senior leadership positions, played a significant role in my decision; and, I’m not alone. According to the 2015 KPMG Women’s Leadership Study, nearly nine in 10 (88 percent) of survey respondents reported they are encouraged by the women they see in leadership positions, and more than eight in 10 (86 percent) noted that when they see more women in leadership, they are encouraged to get there themselves.[1]

I, a millennial woman, am encouraged. Encouraged to learn. Encouraged to lead. Encouraged to grow at JPA. These facts about women-owned businesses will inspire you, too:

• From 1997 to 2017, the number of women-owned businesses grew 114 percent, and firms owned by women of color grew at more than four times that rate (467 percent)[2]
• According to a survey of 400 millennial women by Buzz MG, 83 percent reported that they want to own their own businesses[3]
• In the U.S., there are 11.6 million women-owned businesses, employing nearly nine million people and generating more than $1.7 trillion in revenue.²

Of the many signs I saw while attending the 2017 Women’s March in New York City, one quote has stuck with me: “When women support each other, incredible things happen.” I look forward to an incredible 2018 working alongside the inspiring women (and men) of JPA.

References:

[1] KPMG Women’s Leadership Study. KPMG. 2015. https://womensleadership.kpmg.us/content/dam/kpmg-womens-leadership-golf/womensleadershippressrelease/FINAL%20Womens%20Leadership%20v19.pdf.

[2] The 2017 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report. American Express. 2017. http://about.americanexpress.com/news/docs/2017-State-of-Women-Owned-Businesses-Report.pdf.

[3] Exclusive Report: We Polled 400 Working Women & This Is What We Found Out. Create & Cultivate. 5 June 2017. http://www.createcultivate.com/blog/exclusive-report-this-shocking-number-of-women-put-this-first-even-over-career.