This is Why Moms Leaving the Workforce is a Big Deal
I recently joined a Professional Networking group specifically built to support Working Moms. In the short time I’ve been a part of the network I’ve been able to connect with and support the businesses of other entrepreneurial moms and feel supported in return. And, it’s made me realize something extremely important - we need moms in the workforce in order to create the products and businesses we need. A product or service is created in order to fill a need - no one sees the needs and wants of a mom like another mom.
Let me point a few things…
I work out of an amazing co-working space that is also a daycare created because the fabulous owner decided she wanted to be more involved with her daughter and also have a career.
I use a product to help tame post-partum baby hairs recommended to me by my fellow-mom hairstylist, because she’s lived it and gets it. (And can inform me that it will take approximately 3 years for these dang baby hairs to fully grow. Whomp whomp.)
I get invaluable advice and suggestions about everything from post-partum recovery to how to balance my business and family from the mom experts I follow on Instagram.
I am able to have all the products that meet my needs because of the moms creating and working in the companies that cater to me. (I’m sorry, but no man could have created this.)
I am able to feel seen, heard, and understood because there are moms out there in the world taking the risks and creating products and services for women like me. This is why inclusivity is important. This is why intersectional inclusivity is important. There is a black mom out there that is being seen and heard because of the products and services created by another black mom or an LBGT+ mom creating products and services for another LBGT+ mom - needs that I would never understand or know to create for.
And this is why it’s a BIG F’ING DEAL that over 2 million women in the US left the workforce as a result of the pandemic. Let’s set aside the astronomical economic impacts for a second and just focus on the fact that 2 million women are not out there lending their voices and insights to create, build, and support an economy that works for other women. This is a huge step back and one I’m not willing to accept. We all benefit when there is inclusion in the workforce and for everyone to be seen and heard in the economy.
So what can we do?
Buy and support your local mom-owned businesses. I love when I get to support and buy from local moms then tell everyone else about it. There is no better marketing like a personal recommendation or referral. (Hint, hint - if you like this article, share it! I’m a mom-owned business too!)
Use your voice to advocate for inclusion so women don’t feel forced to choose between career and family. Whatever that looks like for you; maybe it’s working with your company’s employee resource groups to advocate for more inclusive policies, supporting federal policies for expanded paid family leave, or backing political candidates who are moms.
As a personal challenge, take it upon yourself this week to buy from a mom-owned business. I’m sure you know of one - a coffee shop, a boutique, hair salon, restaurant… You name it - whatever it is you need this week, there’s a mom out there doing it. Let’s make sure she can keep doing it so we can keep feeling seen and heard by the products and services created by moms for moms.