It’s fall in NYC. There is a chill in the air (followed by unseasonably warm weather). The leaves have changed their colors and are falling, boots and sweaters are the new uniform and there is a fury in the air. That is the energy of women entrepreneurs in the city preparing for the busiest season of all, the holiday season.
In NYC, 23.2% of businesses are female-owned along with an extra 8.7% of businesses owned equally by men and women according to the Office of the New York State Comptroller. Women are starting almost half the new businesses in the United States each year and the trend is just increasing.
In a city like New York, there is a plethora of talented, well-educated, ambitious, hard-working women who come from all over the world to take advantage of all the benefits of starting a business in NYC. New York is a powerhouse when it comes to finance, technology, the arts, fashion, design, government, advertising, education, and so on and so on. If you have a talent, smarts, or a product this is the place to launch it to the world. New York has an incredible energy for entrepreneurship and unlike many other cities or countries, it actively encourages ideas and talent. Frank Sinatra wasn’t kidding when he said, “If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere”.
One of the most encouraging aspects of being a female entrepreneur in NYC is that there is a remarkable network of women entrepreneurs who are very supportive of helping each other out. From helping to find resources to help their businesses, locating talent, becoming a mentor to an up-and-coming entrepreneur, and investing in start-up business plans, women in NYC show great initiative in helping out their fellow sisters. Plus there are plenty of government initiatives specifically designed to aid women-owned businesses in New York.
Women are such nurturers, it naturally spills out when they start their businesses. Their business becomes their baby and they become very committed to not only making it grow but bringing new viewpoints, ideas, and solutions to their work. What better way to break the glass ceiling than to remove it altogether be the boss and chart your future? As a woman boss, you can be more sympathetic towards other women employees when it comes to working and raising a family and perhaps be more flexible with their workers in helping them achieve a more balanced work/family life.
New York City is a melting pot of talent, ideas, a ready-made pool of customers, trends, style, and the funding to help your business succeed. It is an exciting place to live and even more to start a business you love and want to flourish. To have a group of women on your side helping you, advising you, mentoring you, and supporting you means the world to a female entrepreneur.
We went out to search for the best women-owned businesses in New York City, and we asked a few questions about what inspired them to start their businesses and what advice they would give.
Elif Akaydin, founder & designer of Patent of Heart
Q: What inspired you to start your own business?
A: After working in corporate fashion for a decade, I felt strongly that I wanted to create a fashion brand with a mission to give back to women's education.
Q: What advice would you give other women considering opening a business in NYC?
A: I would say take advantage of New York City, This city has a lot to offer, it is the mecca of creativity, art, and freedom. There are no judgments here or any limits in expression.
Q: How do you handle challenging business-related situations?
A: I usually try to understand the root cause of the problem and find the right source to ask for help. I know now there is always a solution when you are looking from the right angle.
Q: Why is it good to be a woman business owner in NYC?
A: NYC’s dynamic and diverse market allows women entrepreneurs to have the freedom to have endless possibilities for innovation and growth. The city is home to countless networking events, conferences, and communities that connect women entrepreneurs with like-minded individuals and industry leaders.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do or place to go or feeling during the fall season in NYC?
A: I'm such a hopeless romantic in the fall of New York City. I love taking long walks. The crisp air, golden leaves lining Central Park, and the charm of pumpkin-spiced everything create the perfect backdrop for daydreaming. Just like Nora Ephron's movies :)
Julia Cheung, founder of Julia's Broderie Shop
Q: What inspired you to start your own business?
A: I love being creative and I am good at administration so after a few different jobs primarily using the latter skill, I wanted to find a way to combine the two. I was inspired by some other women I knew about who had turned hobbies into thriving businesses so I thought I’d give it a try.
The opportunity came during the pandemic and I started my business while still doing my previous job. The business quickly grew and I couldn’t do both anymore so I became full-time in my business.
Q: What advice would you give other women who are thinking of opening up a business in NYC?
A: I would recommend keeping your overheads as low as possible, doing as much as you can, for as long as you can in your own space, and don’t outsource jobs you can figure out for yourself. Network with other small business owners who can encourage you and give you advice.
Q: How do you handle changing business-related situations?
A: Sometimes you make mistakes! You don’t order enough or order too late! But it’s ok. You learn and are able to predict growth better the next time around. The main thing is to enjoy your work but don’t underestimate running your own business, it’s hard work! But when you get encouraging feedback from your customers it makes it all worthwhile.
Q: Why is it good to be a woman business owner in NYC?
A: I’m not sure if being a man or a woman makes any difference in business. However, there may be more support for women in the city and programs aimed at helping women start and maintain businesses that are specific to NYC.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do or place to go or feeling during the fall season in NYC?
A: I love to go to the park in the Fall, the leaves are so beautiful and the weather is perfect.
The room mist collection from The City of Scents
Q: What inspired you to start your own business?
A: I joined a business I had worked with for many years as a partner seven years ago, and while it's a very fulfilling career I had always wanted to build something from the ground up. It also seemed like a great time to try something new as my daughter started school and I had more time. My main career is in Communications, where I run an agency, so starting a business that sold a tangible product, rather than a service, seemed like a great new challenge! I'm so lucky that I can manage to do both things!
Q: What advice would you give other women considering opening a business in NYC?
A: There is never a perfect time to start something new; if you wait for that perfect moment you will never fulfill your potential. Jump in and go for it. Also, if you are proud of the first product you put out, you waited too long to start. Prompt Over Perfect!
Q: How do you handle changing business-related situations?
A: My general feeling in business is that most people like to operate with a sense of fairness. If you base your negotiations and dealings on fairness and trust, you will make friends and allies, and build a solid business foundation.
Q: Why is it good to be a woman business owner in NYC?
A: Because in NYC it is a strength to be a hustler. We applaud that sense in each other - we all love a go-getter and so people tend to get behind you if you show tenacity and proactiveness. I'm sure that strong, capable women are not received the world over in with the same encouraging arms.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do or place to go during the fall season in NYC?
A: I love getting out of town and horse riding upstate near Amenia with Cari Swanson. I also love exploring Central Park with my daughter - you can spend a whole day there and always find something new. And I'm not going to lie - a great, cold Martini with my business partner on a Friday night after a busy week at Cafe Chelsea is right up there too!
Ayesha Mehta founder of Caye Joaillier
Q: What inspired you to start your own business ?
A: I've always loved jewelry. Ever since I was a little girl, I used to go to my mother's office and play with the pieces. That play had a big impact on me and led me to Caye. Jewelry doesn't have to be serious, it has to be fun, playful and something you can enjoy!
Q: What advice would you give other woman who are thinking of opening up a business in NYC?
A: Be confident and love your product. If you love your product or what you do, your passion will speak for itself. It will become the reason you wake up and thrive in this crazy city.
Q: How do you handle changing business related situations?
A: I started my business during Covid, which was the most unprecedented time. Everything was unpredictable, everything was confusing and yet we came out of it stronger. My only advice would be to take risks but always have an intent. It's ok to fall as long as you stand up stronger.
Q: Why it’s good to be a woman business owner in nyc?
A: I love the freedom and independence it gives me. I love working from wherever I want, whenever I want and not being answerable to anyone but myself. The amazing part of being a woman business owner in New York is that you work in the most competitive, challenging, forward-thinking city in the world and if you make it here, you have what it takes to make it anywhere.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do or place to go or feeling during fall season in NYC?
A: Fall in New York City is incredible (to be honest, all seasons are but especially fall). I love walking around, sipping on a spice-filled drink, leaves crunching under my feet and looking up at all the colors in the sky. A few things I did this fall in New York were watching a fall classic movie (You've Got Mail) at Hudson Yards, watched the annual halloween parade in the West Village and took a long stroll in Central Park enjoying the crisp weather change.
These businesswomen, who represent a wide range of businesses in New York City, gave encouraging answers. They all have utilized the benefits of opening a business in New York and have taken advantage of the energy of this city that encourages women of talent and business acumen. So if you have an idea and think opening a business is only a pipedream, then take advice from these women and go after your dream. Like Seth Godin once said, "The only thing worse than starting something and failing is not starting something".
We at Patent of Heart encourage you to shop local and small business this holiday season and we highly recommend starting with the these brave, fearless women entrepreneurs.
By Natalie Rivera
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