Unlikely Victories?

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration held on May 5 to commemorate the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza. While the victory was short-lived, it delivered a major morale boost to the Mexican people. The much smaller and ill-equipped Mexican army was outnumbered three to one but still managed to pull off a decisive victory.

Sometimes women end up feeling a little like the Mexican army before the battle — out-numbered and under-resourced. Treated like a victory is unlikely, sometimes it is hard to actually pull it off, or is just unnecessarily daunting. Conversely, winning often helps you to win in the future.

Study after study show women-owned businesses as one of the largest and fastest growing categories of businesses in the U.S. In general, women-founded businesses are more profitable and have better margins. Companies that effectively leverage their female managers and employees are more effective, and groups with a higher number of women are “smarter”.

Remember these facts when you go into battle! And while you are thinking about it, have a margarita (or maybe a nice hunk of Mexican chocolate) to celebrate your victories!