We may be biased, but we think women are incredible. And this month is a perfect time to celebrate you with International Women’s Day coming up on March 8th. From business to education to activism, women are making incredible strides each year toward equality and progress, and this past year was no different. So in honor of International Women’s Day, we’re rounding up some pretty incredible accomplishments to celebrate you and all the wonderful things you have achieved and what we can achieve together moving forward.
According to CNBC, the rate of women entrepreneurs has doubled in recent years as compared to their male counterparts. This risk-taking, go-getting energy is increasing women leadership in every industry. Whether you’re wearing a pink kimono robe or pantsuit, it’s the attitude underneath that counts. So if you’ve been thinking about diving into the entrepreneurial end of the work pool, dive in with full confidence knowing you’re in good company and the entire country benefits from more female leaders.
We love @uchka’s combination of crown, white lace kimono robe and determination to get things done. And she’s not alone. Women are incredibly productive human beings. According to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, “A firm where the workforce is 20 percent female would increase overall sales per employee by about 3.7 percent if it hired a female CEO. If a female CEO took over a male-managed firm where the workforce is at least 20 percent female, sales per employee would increase by about 14 percent.” Which proves that hiring women for your team and your leadership roles is just good for business.
The elusive work-life balance has always been a question for women, especially mothers. But carving out the most important time to be with your child, right after birth, hasn’t always been supported. We’re making strides, however, according to the National Survey of Working Mothers, 63% of women had access to paid maternity leave benefits in 2013. That was up over 12% points from just five years prior.
According to the Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners, women entrepreneurs account for $2.5 trillion in sales and women-owned businesses employ over 8.4 million workers, generating $264 billion in payroll. At KIM+ONO, launching our kimono store this year has been a huge lesson in building a team around our mission of community, sisterhood and kimono fashion. Getting to be a part of the small businesses transforming the workforce has given us the incredible opportunity to bring together an amazing team and we’re so grateful for it.
Although there’s still a long way to go, the strides women have made in this past year alone have been astounding. From speaking out to leaning in, we are constantly inspired by your femininity, beauty, strength and power. Our kimono fashion is just one way we want you to feel celebrated and inspired every day, so you can keep on doing what you do best: rising up.
