Talking heads...with Olivia Winstanley
IWD 2021 - how women adapted during employment uncertainty throughout the pandemic.
Although 2020 will remain one of the most challenging years in history, it is also a year that saw women, in particular, adapt to uncertainty in employment with 60% of young women fearful for their future due to the pandemic. (Princes Trust research)
Although side hustling huns remain an integral part of women moving forward in business, we are still facing the stark reality that women are under-represented in many workplaces with only 6% of FTSE CEOs being female. Alongside this, The Princes Trust has also reported that more than 78% of those who have lost their jobs at the start of the pandemic were women and two-thirds were between the ages of 18 and 34.
However, as we celebrate IWD 2021, it is great to see an increase in the creative and entrepreneurial women chartering their own destiny and setting up their very own female first companies. Small Business Britain's F:Entrepreneur campaign has found one-fifth of women are considering starting their own business post-pandemic, driven by the uncertainty of employment. As I do a small internal dance for the forward-thinking women discovering and showcasing why they’re the masters of multi-tasking and adapting in uncertain times, 10% of women have taken the leap and started their very own side hustles as a result of job loss.
However difficult the last year has been, it is more important than ever we continue to push on showing and growing our next generation of strong empowered women, as they can't be what they can’t see.
So for friends who are side-hustling sisters, it is easier than ever to embrace and share the love. With personal screen time at an all-time high, it is time we stop and make an effort to share, like, comment and save all the amazing female-led businesses we see popping up on Instagram. The power of networking and connecting in a post-pandemic world has never been more important.
I have asked three of my Halpern team members to share their favourite small brands they discovered in recent months , all of which were created during the lockdown. I hope you enjoy getting to know them too:
https://www.instagram.com/cut_cups/