This month, CertiProFire and Life Safety would like to recognize the growth and accomplishments of female entrepreneurs and the vital role they play in our economy, while also calling on the public to support women and woman-owned businesses #BuyWomenOwned.
The Shocking Truth
Businesses owned by women have different challenges than their male-owned counterparts; they are more likely to have under $1 million in Annual revenue, they struggle more to access traditional small business funding through banks and venture capitalists, and they have particular difficulty finding a foothold in some of the most financially successful industries.
While opinions are strong—and they vary—one thing all should be able to agree on is that entrepreneurship and business ownership are both good for women. In fact, if recent research is any indication, more women entrepreneurs is profitable for everyone in the community: men and women. Let’s take a look at the numbers…
How Important is Woman-Owned Business?
There are more than 10 million businesses owned by women, employing more than 13 million people and generating $1.9 trillion in sales. Not only that, women-led businesses are one of the fastest growing types of the small businesses. The number of women-owned businesses increased nearly 60 percent since 1997. Lastly, according to the National Association of Women Business Owners‘ (NAWBO) 2013 State of Women-Owned Businesses Survey, 2013 looks to be the “Year of the Female Entrepreneur,” with women business owners’ optimism at high levels (81 percent) on the opportunities that lie ahead.
CertiPro Fire and Life Safety is Woman-Owned!
CertiPro Fire and Life Safety is one of the 100% woman-owned Fire Protection companies that proudly serves the Phoenix Metropolitan area and the surrounding Arizona communities. CertiPro Fire is one of the only completely woman-owned Fire Protection businesses in Mesa, as well as in the State of Arizona. Although being a woman-owned company has it’s challenges, being a woman-owned company in a completely male-dominated industry is even more inspiring.
A Male-Dominated Industry
In 2010, Kevin Kupietz, a fire instructor at Roanoke Rapids (NC) Fire Department and faculty member in the Emergency and Disaster Management program at American Military University conducted a study for the National Fire Academy on gender diversity in fire departments. Although he has seen the issue gain more traction, things aren’t changing as fast as he and many others in the fire service would like. “The fire service is a male-dominated profession,” said Kupietz. Part of the reason it has been slow to diversify, he explained, is that firefighting is a profession steeped in family tradition, where for generations, fathers have introduced it to their sons.
Closing The Gap
Close the gender gap in the fire protection and safety industry by supporting a business that is woman-owned and operated. These are the businesses that stand the true test of the endurance of the American spirit- where anyone, male or female, may have the same opportunities to grow and prosper. CertiPro Fire and Life Safety grew to where it is today because of the hard work and dedication to the industry it serves, all while being beautifully orchestrated by a strong, hard-working American woman.
Call Us Today to schedule an appointment or request a free estimate at 480.829.7600.
CertiPro Fire & Life Safety, Inc.
Proudly Serving Businesses and Home Owners Across Arizona