The Next Web

“TNW: There’s a lot of talk about the lack of female leadership in tech companies — particularly startups. As a female founder, what’s your take on that? Why do you think there are so few women founders? And what do women need to do to support other women in tech — startups or otherwise?
GORMAN: How did I know this was going to be a question? First, being a founder is hard. Period. Man or woman. Why aren’t more women founders? I don’t know, and I don’t focus on statistical data on the topic. I do know that you have to be willing to take some pretty big personal risks, and that just isn’t for everyone, man or woman. Let’s not forget that. I have to admit, I haven’t experienced some of the difficulties that other women talk about, as a founder or in my previous career. Maybe I am just lucky, or maybe it’s the fact that I’ve never even entertained it (my gender) as an issue. If someone has a problem with me being a woman, that is his problem — not mine. I don’t accept it as part of my reality. I was thrilled when Sheryl Sandberg came out and talked about women needing to be more ambitious. You don’t get to the top by complaining about it and campaigning about it. You do it by delivering indisputable value. There is a trend of women complaining disguised as cheerleading and I want no part of it. And I am not the only one. I am all for creating a community where women can learn from other women, however, and I think Women 2.0 does a great job at that. Women mentoring women one-on-one is a key part of the solution, in my opinion. It is a responsibility not enough women are willing to take on. I worked for a hardcore, kick-ass woman in my early 20s. My first day of work, she sent me to Saks to buy her pantyhose. Then, for three years, she taught me everything she knew. I learned the art of being a woman in business, and that you can still be powerful without acting like a man.”

June 3, 2012 · 6:00 am · 20 notes « Prev  Next »