Join us as we shine a spotlight on five inspiring women-owned businesses. From unique handmade creations to innovative services, these enterprises showcase the diversity, resilience, and creativity of women in the business world.

Championing the Cause for the Holidays

Celebrate the season of giving by exploring the diverse and impactful stories of women-owned businesses! Some of our favorite women-owned businesses that are perfect for supporting during the holiday season include: 

• The Little Market by Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla:

• • A nonprofit fair-trade shop that offers handcrafted goods made by artisans around the world, empowering women in underserved communities.

• Little Seed Farm by Eileen Ray:

• • A family-owned farm and beauty brand producing natural skincare and soap products, prioritizing sustainability and eco-friendly practices.

• P.F. Candle Co. by Kristen Pumphrey:

• • An independent fragrance brand hand-pouring soy wax candles and producing small-batch home fragrance goods in Los Angeles.

• Maison Miru by Trisha Okubo:

• • A jewelry brand specializing in minimalist and versatile pieces, including earrings, necklaces, and rings, perfect for gifting.

• Hard Work Jewelry by Victoria Samayoa:

• • Wearable jewelry handcrafted in Ventura, California including necklaces, rings, bracelets, chains, and more. 

This holiday season, by choosing to support women-owned businesses, you’re not just finding unique and thoughtful gifts, but also making a meaningful impact in promoting gender equity and helping women entrepreneurs thrive! 

Women-owned businesses often face unique challenges and barriers. By choosing to support them, you contribute to their economic independence, helping women achieve financial stability and success! 

Want to learn more about how we can help with advertising for women-owned businesses? Feel free to reach out to our team or visit our S.H.E. Matters page to learn more. 

The post S.H.E. Matters: 5 Women-Owned Businesses to Support This Holiday Season appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

From navigating the complexities of gender dynamics to shattering the glass ceiling, their journey is fraught with obstacles, yet rich with opportunities. Here, we shed light on these challenges, celebrate the triumphs, and offer actionable strategies to empower and support women in marketing! 

Supporting Women in the Modern Marketing Industry 

Women in the modern marketing industry face significant challenges, including the gender pay gap, where they often earn less than their male counterparts for similar roles. Another major hurdle is the limited representation in leadership positions, which restricts their career advancement and access to influential role models. 

Additionally, balancing demanding professional responsibilities with personal and family life often leads to work-life imbalance. These challenges are further exacerbated by gender bias and stereotyping, where women’s skills and ideas may be undervalued in a predominantly male industry.

Empowering and supporting women in marketing involves key strategies like ensuring equitable pay to address the gender pay gap and developing inclusive leadership programs to encourage advancement into higher roles. Flexible work arrangements are crucial for balancing professional and personal life, helping to prevent burnout! 

It’s also important to foster a workplace culture that actively challenges gender biases and stereotypes. Providing mentorship and networking opportunities tailored for women can offer additional support, enabling them to navigate industry challenges and excel in their careers. 

She Always Matters in the Workplace 

The support and empowerment of women in the workplace is not just a matter of equity but also a catalyst for broader organizational success and innovation. Women bring unique perspectives, skills, and creativity that are invaluable in the dynamic landscape of modern industries. By actively working to dismantle barriers and foster an inclusive environment, organizations uplift women and enhance their overall performance and adaptability! 

Empowering women leads to a more diverse and robust workforce, driving forward-thinking solutions and fostering a culture of mutual respect and collaboration. Ultimately, when women thrive, the entire workplace benefits, paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

Want to learn more? Feel free to reach out to our team or visit our S.H.E. Matters page! 

The post S.H.E. Matters: The Role of Women in the Marketing Industry appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

Join us as we explore 10 standout women-owned businesses that are not only prospering but also making a significant impact in the community. 

Women Trailblazers in Jacksonville Business 

Explore Jacksonville’s business scene, where ten women entrepreneurs stand out with their innovative and spirited ventures: 

Mixed Fillings Pie Shop: Local pie shop in the heart of the Riverside neighborhood owned by Chef Natasha Burton! It’s celebrated for its innovative and delicious sweet and savory pies. 

1928 Cuban Bistro: Where flavor meets tradition. Serving authentic Cuban fare with a contemporary twist! Owned by Rebecca Gonzalez – a Cuban-American mother of three. 

The Antibride: Wedding planning and floral design for a one-of-a-kind celebration! Owned by Calli Webb and located in the heart of the Murray Hill neighborhood. 

Levity Interiors: Vintage furniture shop and design services located in historic Avondale! Owned and operated by Levity E. Tomkinson. 

Spruce Jax: Plant shop, bar, and mercantile! Located in Jacksonville Beach and owned by Ida Uffelman. The perfect spot to grab a drink and snag a beautiful houseplant! 

Emory Clothing: Modern and fun clothing boutique in Avondale that carries a huge variety of indie clothing brands! 

Culhane’s Irish Pub: Modern Irish pub owned by sisters Lynda, Michelle, Mary Jane, and Áine! These native Irish sisters strive to bring the unique flavors of Ireland to their customers. 

Alewife: A community-focused establishment in the heart of Five Points serving up various selections of handcrafted ales and lagers! 

Community Loaves: A locally-owned bakery serving up pastries, coffee, sandwiches, and more in a beautiful historic home located in Murray Hill! 

BB’s Restaurant & Bar: A groovy culinary experience located in historic San Marco! Serving up innovative American cuisine and a dessert selection you don’t want to miss. 

Lighting the Way for Future Female Entrepreneurs

Recognizing and celebrating the vibrant, women-led business scene in Jacksonville offers a glimpse into a world where innovation, community, and delicious flavors converge! 

From delectable pies to the hearty allure of Cuban cuisine, the diversity and innovation within these businesses not only elevate the city’s commercial and culinary landscapes but also carve out spaces where inspiration, community, and leadership coalesce. 

Want to share your favorite women-owned businesses with us? Feel free to reach out to our team or visit our S.H.E. Matters page!  

The post S.H.E. Matters: 10 Women-Owned Businesses in Jacksonville appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

There, she challenged the status quo of both the scientific community and societal expectations of women, carving her own path in an otherwise male-dominated field. It’s an inspirational journey through the life of a woman who showed the world that indeed, she matters. 

The Notable Work of Dr. Jane Goodall 

In her early career, young Jane Goodall set sail from her native England to Kenya. Upon arriving, she sought out Dr. Louis Leakey, the famed paleontologist and anthropologist, convinced that he could guide her toward her dream of working with animals. 

Impressed by her knowledge and passion, Leakey saw in Goodall someone who could help him answer fundamental questions about humankind’s closest relatives: the great apes. Despite Goodall’s lack of formal scientific training, Leakey entrusted her with a groundbreaking study of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. 

Some of Goodall’s most profound discoveries and scientific contributions include: 

• Chimpanzee Social Structure: Goodall’s research provided insights into the social lives of chimpanzees, including the complexity of family relationships, hierarchies, and interactions.
• Meat-Eating Behavior: She documented that contrary to prevailing belief, chimpanzees are not strictly vegetarian and do engage in hunting and meat-eating behaviors.
• Chimpanzee Emotions: Her work showed that chimpanzees have emotional lives, capable of expressing joy, sorrow, and even mourning, changing our understanding of the emotional complexity of non-human animals.
• Long-Term Field Research: Her commitment to longitudinal study in Gombe Stream National Park is considered one of the longest and most detailed studies of a non-human species.
• Conservation Efforts: Founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, which plays a crucial role in conservation, education, and advocacy for primates and their habitats.
• United Nations Messenger of Peace: Appointed in 2002, Goodall uses this platform to spread her conservation and humanitarian messages globally.

Blazing The Trail For Others To Follow 

The story of Jane Goodall is not just a tale of a woman who ventured into the wilderness to study our closest animal relatives; it is the narrative of a trailblazer who defied societal norms and prejudices to carve out her own space in the world of science.

Her work set the stage for generations of women who dare to dream big in the fields of primatology, ethology, anthropology, and beyond. As she herself has said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” 

Want to share your own success story? Feel free to reach out to our team or visit our S.H.E. Matters page! 

The post S.H.E. Matters: The Success Story of Dr. Jane Goodall appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

As employers or business owners, it’s vital to address this issue for the economic security of your female employees.

Let’s take a look at the long-term effects of the gender pay gap on women’s retirement savings and the steps that businesses can take…

Lower retirement savings mean lower Social Security benefits

The gender pay gap means women are paid less during their working years, resulting in lower retirement savings than their male counterparts. Since  Social Security payments are based on an employee’s income during their working years, a lower salary would result in a lower benefit amount.

This issue would also result in women having a smaller retirement nest egg to rely on during their retirement years.

Longer life expectancies

Women, on average, live longer than men. According to Harvard Health, “57% of all those ages 65 and older are female. … The average lifespan is about 5 years longer for women than men in the U.S., and about 7 years longer worldwide.”

Due to these longer life expectancies, women have higher medical expenses, living expenses, and caregiver expenses, which, combined with lower retirement savings, often result in greater financial insecurity later in life.

Lack of retirement plan access

Women face an additional challenge as they are often employed in small businesses that don’t offer retirement plans like 401(k) and pensions.

In fact, “About 50% of women ages 55 to 66 have no personal retirement savings, compared to 47% of men,” as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. The lack of retirement plan access means that women have to be even more proactive about saving for retirement.

Other factors

Women face additional challenges in saving for retirement due to factors such as career interruptions, taking time off for caregiving, and other responsibilities. These challenges result in women earning less from work, saving less for retirement, and relying more on Social Security in retirement.

What employers and business owners can do

Simply put, businesses can address these issues by implementing transparent compensation policies and practices. This step would ensure that all employees are paid equitably, regardless of gender.

Additionally, offering retirement plans like 401(k) programs can improve access to retirement planning for all employees in the company. Employers can also support career development opportunities for women, to improve their earnings and increase their ability to save for their retirement years.

But what do you think? Are you a woman with a unique perspective on saving for retirement or a business owner that offers these kinds of benefits? We’d love to hear from you!

Please reach out to us or visit our S.H.E. Matters page to send in a submission for our review, and stay tuned here for more information!

The post S.H.E. Matters After She Retires: Long-Term Effects of the Gender Pay Gap on Women’s Retirement Savings appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

Ida Uffelman had never dreamed of being a business owner before. That was, of course, until she fell in love with the myriad plant shops she stumbled upon during a trip to one of the liveliest communities in the State of Oregon: Portland.

And now, she’s infused Jacksonville Beach with that same green-thumbed love.

In fact, when you first walk into Spruce, you’re instantly greeted by the sight of a spacious, modern floorplan, where Uffelman stands smiling warmly behind the register. In your right periphery, lush green entices you to browse between the trailing pathos vines, outstretched branches, and hand-crafted pieces of pottery.

Whether you prefer to sink into a chair and sip on a local brew or simply hunt for your next favorite plant pet, Spruce is undoubtedly the place to go if you’re out near the beaches.

But it wasn’t — and still isn’t — necessarily an easy endeavor to pursue for Uffelman.

While Uffelman is thankful to be surrounded by other entrepreneurial women in the community, she says she feels that she has struggled to be taken seriously while undergoing the permitting process through the City of Jacksonville as a woman.

“Dealing with the City of Jacksonville — building, zoning — it’s all men that worked there, and I felt like I was being mansplained to the whole time,” Uffelman said. “It was tough. They just kind of walked all over me. The more I stuck up for myself, the more I got buried under. The more red tape I was given.”

Thankfully, that hasn’t stopped Uffelman from seeking the continued growth of Spruce — and the overall experience has remained a positive one.

“Aside from… all of that, I haven’t had any issues,” she recalled brightly. “Everyone is amazing, our growers are great, and it’s a very female-oriented business, so that helps.”

And for any other women interested in building their own business? Well, her advice is simple: Go for it.

“Every person is unique and you’ve got to know your own risk, and what you’re comfortable losing. But also, don’t let that hold you back,” Uffelman affirmed. “Money comes and goes, life happens, but I would never go work in the corporate world again. It’s tough right now … but it’s amazing.”

Here at Mad Men Marketing, we want to do more than simply address the wage gap and the importance of women in the workplace — we want to actively highlight and empower existing women in our community!

Are you a woman who owns her own business?

Do you work in a male-dominated field?

Do you know another noteworthy woman you think deserves time in the spotlight?

We’d love to get an interview on the books! Please reach out to us or visit our S.H.E. Matters page to send in a submission for our review, and stay tuned here for more information!

The post S.H.E. Matters and Leads: Ida Uffelman of Spruce appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

And fears of a looming recession only grow worse.

The problem? Not everyone is going to feel this equally. In fact, women are more likely to get the short end of the stick in the event of a recession — all thanks to the ongoing gender wage gap.

Here’s what you should know:

Defining an Economic Downturn

Before we dive in, let’s review what, exactly, a recession even is.

Specifically, a recession is an economic downturn where a country experiences a significant drop in economic activity. It is the opposite of growth and, according to Forbes, can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few years depending on the factors at play.

Moreover, during a recession…

• Production and employment go down
• Wages and profits decrease
• Investments decline
• And more

In extreme cases, manufacturers and retailers go out of business and unemployment rates skyrocket.

Recessions can have a long-term impact on the economy as well. During a recession, businesses often lay off workers or cut back on hours which leads to an increase in unemployment. This can lead to long-term job losses even after the economy recovers.

Factoring in the Finances of the Wage Gap

The gender wage gap is one of the main factors that has left women exposed to financial insecurity, and may especially do so leading up to and during a recession.

Despite steady progress in recent years, women still earn an average of 82 cents for every dollar earned by men as reported by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) — a disparity that can have far-reaching economic implications. This means that women tend to have less money to put aside for emergency savings and retirement planning, which can be especially problematic during an economic downturn.

In addition to this, women are more likely to take time off or reduce their hours to care for family members, leading to a further decrease in income that makes it even harder for them to weather the storm of a recession.

S.H.E. Matters — Especially During a Recession

Today, we are seeing a mixed bag of news reports in terms of whether a recession is actually on the horizon or not. Regardless, one thing remains the same: it is not out of the realm of possibility.

And, according to the Ellevest Financial Wellness Survey of 2022, approximately 30% of male respondents reported feeling prepared for a potential recession. Only 14% of female respondents, however, felt the same.

In other words, given the gender wage gap in the United States, women are less likely to be financially prepared for such an economic downturn should it arrive soon. But by closing the gender wage gap, we can help shield women from feeling the exacerbated hardships in the wake of future economic instability.

And that in and of itself is reason enough to continue fighting for workplace equality.

But what do you think? Are you a female worker who is already feeling the impacts of all the aforementioned? Or do you have a different opinion entirely? We’d love to hear from you!

Please reach out to us or visit our S.H.E. Matters page to send in a submission for our review, and stay tuned here for more information!

The post S.H.E. Matters: A Matter of Women and Recession Preparedness appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

Despite efforts over the years, women still make up a small percentage of workers in construction and face a considerable wage gap compared to their male counterparts.

Let’s take a closer look behind the construction curtain:

Constructing a Gap in the Industry

The construction industry is a male-dominated field, with women making up only a small percentage of the workforce. In fact, as reported by the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER), “nearly 90% of the industry is male.”

This gender gap has been present for decades and reflects the larger societal issue concerning workplace equality. Stereotypes and entrenched biases have contributed to this wage gap by discouraging women from entering the field due to their perceived inability or lack of capability.

Specifically, the construction industry is disproportionately male-dominated due to longstanding societal and cultural norms that have seen women traditionally viewed as unsuited for manual labor. This has created a lack of diversity in the workforce, with men making up the majority in most construction sites; women who are in construction are more likely to be behind a desk.

Additionally, other factors like lower pay, fewer opportunities to advance within the field, and lack of support networks are often cited as reasons why more women do not pursue a career in this industry.

Wait — Wages Matter, Too

As a result of all of the aforementioned, there are limited opportunities for growth or career advancement for women within construction. Moreover, an imbalance in wages between men and women has remained pervasive in the overall industry.

For example, according to the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), women earn just 74 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts in the construction field at large. With regard to managerial roles in specific, women make approximately 86 cents for every dollar earned by a male colleague.

This wage gap is not only alarming but is also reflective of the larger societal issue concerning workplace equality in the United States.

Closing the Construction Gap

In order to create an environment where workplace equality and equitable distribution of resources between genders is possible, there need to be initiatives that focus on promoting diversity in the industry by encouraging more women to enter or continue working in construction fields.

Some actions leaders might take could include…

• Providing more leadership roles for women
• Creating mentoring programs
• Implementing policies that favor equitable wages
• Establishing guidelines against sexual harassment or discrimination
• Offering educational support like specialized courses or training sessions targeted towards female workers
• And more

Together, these steps can help create a more diverse and inclusive workplace that ultimately benefits everyone involved regardless of gender identity or background.

But what do you think? Are you in construction, or do you know someone who is and deserves a moment in the spotlight? Because we’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to us or visit our S.H.E. Matters page to send in a submission for our review, and stay tuned here for more information!

The post S.H.E. Matters: Breaking Down the Boys’ Club That is Construction appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

What’s more, we want to see you thrive.

That’s why, if you’ve found yourself on the hunt for resources and organizations that will give you the year-end boost you need, we recommend the following five:

1. Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)

Having recently celebrated 30 years’ worth of business-related impact, the AEO’s vision “is for every individual in the U.S. to have access to resources and services for creating wealth, assets, and healthy communities through business ownership.”

Specifically, the AEO is focused on providing economic assistance and resources for entrepreneurs who are historically underserved, which includes many women — especially women of color. Thus, we highly recommend this organization.

1. Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC)

The AWBC “works to secure economic justice and entrepreneurial opportunities for women by supporting and sustaining a national network of over 100 Women’s Business Centers.”

This non-profit organization assists a reported 150,000 female entrepreneurs every year. If you’re looking for mentorship or training, financing opportunities, and/or development resources, we highly recommend the AWBC.

1. National Association of Women’s Business Owners (NAWBO)

“The National Association of Women Business Owners is an organization in the United States founded in 1975 that has the purpose of networking the approximately 10.6 million women-owned businesses,” according to the organization’s website, “so as to provide mutual support, share resources, and provide a single voice to help shape economic and public policy.”

No matter where you are located in the United States, NAWBO is there for you. With nationwide chapters that support women across all industries, you can consider this organization your “one-stop shop” for all things business development-oriented.

1. Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO)

Created through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), “The Office of Women’s Business Ownership’s mission is to enable and empower women entrepreneurs through advocacy, outreach, education and support.”

With a particular focus on “women who are economically or socially disadvantaged,” this government-provided resource is committed to training and counseling new female entrepreneurs. Additionally, its services are offered in a variety of languages.

1. Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

The mission of the WBENC “is to fuel economic growth globally by identifying, certifying, and facilitating the development of women-owned businesses.”

After 25 years of operation, amassing a network of over 450 organizations, and partnering with a curated 14 regional partners, the WBENC remains committed to closing the gap between women-led businesses and their male counterparts.

Last but not least, we’d be honored if you kept us in mind.

Here at Mad Men Marketing, we provide industry-leading marketing solutions to women-led businesses. What’s more, we’d love to hear your story and share it with our community!

Do you want to see your business highlighted? Or do you have someone else in mind? We’d love to know! Please reach out to us or visit our S.H.E. Matters page to send in a submission for our review, and stay tuned here for more information.

The post Our Top 5 Recommended Resources for Women-Owned Businesses appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.

As we end our Thanksgiving feasts with Black Friday hot on our heels, our shopping lists are only bound to grow. And as you shop local, you should also shop women-owned.

If you’re curious to learn a little more about why, here’s what you need to know:

(Women-Led) Business 101

Every year, we see more and more women-led and owned businesses emerging. That being said, how many you will find may depend on the industry.

For example, according to the 2021 annual report created by The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC), woman-owned businesses in the United States are “concentrated in” the five following industries:

• Other services
• Healthcare and social assistance
• Professional, scientific, and technical services
• Retail trade
• Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services.”

Of course, regardless of industry, women face unique challenges in business compared to male colleagues or competitors. And, from day one, it all comes down to the money.

“When women business owners pitch their ideas to investors for early-stage capital, they receive significantly less—a disparity that averages more than $1 million—than men,” the Boston Consulting Group found. “Yet businesses founded by women ultimately deliver higher revenue—more than twice as much per dollar invested—than those founded by men.”

But, if these gaps emerge so early on for these businesses, what might the overall picture look like for established businesses today?

Her Business Matters

Despite the aforementioned, women-led and owned businesses today are doing well overall.

“Women-led businesses employed 10.1 million workers and accumulated $1.8 trillion in receipts in 2019,” as reported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, which deemed 2021 a “Year of Historic Achievements for Women-owned Businesses.”

That being said, the positive trends in this area are not necessarily felt across the board. Rather, the matter of intersectionality brings other challenges to light.

Specifically, since 2014, the revenue raised by women-of-color-owned businesses shrank, creating a disparity between these businesses and those owned by Caucasian women.

What’s more, “the disparity has an enormous effect on the U.S. economy,” according to the 2019 State of Women-Owned Business Report, which was commissioned by American Express. “Four million new jobs and $981 billion in revenue would be added if [the] average revenue of minority women-owned firms matched that of white women-owned businesses.”

Thus, it is of increasing importance that we specifically seek out and support businesses that are owned and led by women of color.

S.H.E. Matters is Open for Business

With women generating record profits for our economy — as well as revolutionizing the workforce and workplace cultures — a little support to a woman-led business could have a bigger impact than you’d think.

Further, we would love to highlight some of your favorite locally-owned businesses that are owned and run by women. After all, word of mouth is powerful unto itself!

Do you have someone in mind? We’d love to know! Please reach out to us or visit our S.H.E. Matters page to send in a submission for our review, and stay tuned here for more information!

The post Small Business Saturday: S.H.E. Matters — And It Is Her Business. appeared first on Mad Men Marketing.