I am not one to step into the spotlight or use my business to broach gender and social issues. However as it's International Woman's Day I thought this might be a good time to share my thoughts on women in business. 

I want to start off by saying that I am not out to offend anyone. All the men and women out there that are hustling to make their own way in the world have all of my respect. With that disclaimer, let's get right to it. I find the #GIRLBOSS or #LADYBOSS offensive. #BOSSBABE is particularly cringe worthy to me. I am also not a fan of the term "Women in business". Let me explain why with this simple theoretical situation:

"Mom, how come women are lady bosses and men are just bosses?"

How would you answer that question? You could go through the history of the suffragettes, bra burning or even the huge gap in pay that is being brought to our attention by Hollywood actresses. I don't like that the question would even be posed. Why are we fighting so hard for equality while setting ourselves apart? Looking beyond the fact that "girl" is typically a demeaning term when applied to an adult woman my gender has nothing to do with my profession. I am just a straight up business person or boss. 

I was born in 1984. I started my business in my twenties. I have faced harassment as well as being looked down on by men. I have been asked who my business partner is, as if I couldn't do this on my own. I have also had many people assume that my husband financed Charmed, or is working behind the scenes which could not be farther from the truth, it's laughable to us. Thanks to all the brave women that have come before me, those have been my only struggles. How is it different for men? So much is expected from them and their failures are often earth shattering due to the expectations society has of them. What I am saying is we are equals. We all have our own struggles and I admire all the men in business the same way I do women. 

We don't need to set ourselves apart to be powerful. Hightlighting that you are a woman seems to me like overcompensating. Let your work wow people. Being successful as a woman is just plain being successful. You have done it because you worked hard, not by overcoming your gender.  Let's not teach the world to keep treating us as though we are different rather than equals. If you are a fellow woman in business I encourage you to rethink the message you are sending and perhaps trying on #BOSS for a change. 

Written with love -H