Guest: Debra Michals professor and author of the 2025 book: “She's the Boss: The Rise of Women’s Entrepreneurship Since World War II”
We will talk about:
When you realized this theme would be your book,
How you began your research,
Any pre-conceived notions about women’s entrepreneurship before you began?,
‘intersection of women's personal choices within changing social, political, and economic factors’ = huge intersection,
Influence of government: Jane Todd…other women in government over the years who advanced the interests of women?, who ‘had Kennedy’s, Carter’s & Reagan’s ears to advance women’s issues via task forces or legislation?,
Influence of ‘rights’ movements on growth in women’s entrepreneurship,
Manufacturing sector of the economy - a start (war years) but no continuity post-war?,
Women’s entree into business - filling a need?, seeing a market opportunity?, doing what they know?, fragmented markets?,
No customers = no business…impressive ability to develop consumer demand (Helena Rubinstein story),
Biggest barriers to entry into business for women - capital, discrimination, distribution?, what markets were ‘acceptable’ for women?,
Who were customers of women entrepreneurs after WW II - other women, men & women?,
Feminism & entrepreneurship - strange bedfellows?,
Women’s realization of being an ‘economic entity’ - liberating?, catalyzing?, alienating?
How do women entrepreneurs look upon ‘career business women’ who strive to climb the corporate ladder?,
Did/do woman enterpreneurs pay attention to advice given by other successful women (Eve Arden, Oprah Winfrey, Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook - in ‘Lean In’ or Meg Whitman)?,
Myth or reality: women are tougher to work for than men?, another form of putting women down?,
Barriers to growth of women’s entrepreneurial businesses,
Women entrepreneurs you admire most,
Any surprises in your research and writing?,
Are women still struggling in male dominated fields?,
Technology sector - similar to manufacturing re: male dominated, low access?,
Social media - influencers - low capital intense women’s business opportunities?,
URL: merrimack.edu/profiles/debra-michals//
