4 minute read
EPIC EVOLUTION OF WOMEN by Shawntell Taylor
E P I C E V O L U T I O N O F Women
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A study done by researchers concluded that in 2021, there are still inequalities in career and business that women all over the globe are faced with, especially women of color. The study published by leanln.org and McKinsey & Co. provides proof that women in the workplace and in business, namely Black women—continue to experience a wealth gap. The study concluded that Black women receive 39% less remuneration than their white counterparts and therefore 21% less compared to that of white women. The glass ceiling phenomenon that women experience in the workplace contributes to the unequal distribution of wealth that plagues society and more specifically, creates generational disparities for women of color. Here is a daunting list of obstacles:
Balancing responsibilities Access to capital Fear of failure Inadequate support Gender inequality Difficulty being bold and confident Contracting resources
Expensive Lessons
In my family, the elders would say,
“Bought sense is better than taught sense. ” It’s true, a lot of my wisdom and understanding is a result of expensive lessons that I had to learn along the way. During my professional career in the financial industry, I have felt first-hand, many of the disparities and inequalities that black women all over the globe have legitimate concerns about. In 2006, I accepted a position as District Sales Manager for an Ohio based fortune 500 financial services company. Prior to my promotion, there was a white, middleaged male that preceded me in the same office and for the same territory--and my pay was thirty eight percent less than his. To make matters worse, I was assigned more duties and held more accountable by executive level management. As time progressed, I eventually started my own practice and discovered that as an entrepreneur equal pay and contracting would still be an issue and major hindrance for me.
During recent years, as the CEO of my own financial firm—I have suffered many losses from clients to contracts and unfortunately these very expensive lessons were taught to me by the men in the industry.
T A Y L O R
Author of: Heavy Content & BluePrint Business & Succession Planning
CEO of Midwest Advantage Holdings Company, onestop- shop for all business and financial needs for individuals, families, & small businesses.
Founding Board Member of Chayil Incorporated, a nonprofit organization that assists women with achieving their life, career, and financial goals and dreams.
Chief Visionary Officer, Shawntell Nicole LLC,
Hostess of Podcast, Wealth, Wicks & Wine
Quiescent Moments Candles & Wine Company
12645 W Burleigh Rd. Ste 29A Brookfield, WI 53005 262-788-9999
Tune in to Wealth, Wicks, & Wine on Wednesdays at 7pm!
Quitting and failure were never options for me and now, I understand that I must continue to evolve and trailblaze for
the next generation of women who are inspired entrepreneurs.
I do not despise small beginnings and I am grateful for the opportunity to motivate women to pursue careers and businesses in male-dominated industries such as financial services.
E P I C E V O L U T I O N O F Women
S H A W N T E L L
T A Y L O R
Challenges are Opportunities
I am delighted and excited about the future of all women, especially Black women in business, and it is my mission to embrace, encourage, and empower the next generation of female financial professionals; to boldly stand with authority and to exceed their life, career, and financial goals and dreams. I believe that challenges are opportunities to break grounds for new development. At Midwest Advantage Holdings Company (MAHC) we provide training and education to new business owners. We provide opportunities in the field of finance coupled with education and resources to ensure success. MAHC’s tax services franchise and insurance pre licensing center affords women the opportunity to eliminate obstacles. MAHC’s partnership model consisted of various professionals assisting with growth and development to include access to capital, and succession planning.
Epic Evolution of Women
Despite the obstacles and inferiority complex, women continue to evolve in business and the wealth gap has been recognized and continues to close. Researchers stated, “Although Black women experience low access of capital and other resources to sustain in their respective markets—Black women’s businesses continue to expand and escalate compared to any racial group in the United States. ” According to Fundera, 64% of new women-owned businesses were started by women of color last year.
