Business Chicks, an innovative women’s networking group from Australia is launching its services in the US in July, creating a platform for business-minded women, from Wall Street to self-starters, to share ideas.
Business Chicks, founded by entrepreneur Emma Isaacs, 35, is currently the largest social network for women in Down Under.
“Together, we learn, grow, challenge and kick ass,” the company says. “We’re a tribe of explorers and a band of big thinkers. And we believe that together, we can shine even more brightly than we do as individuals”.
It started with only 250 members but it’s now at almost 38,000 – women and men – spread across the globe. Business Chicks has set up offices in New York and will start a series of launching events all across the US with celebrities and entrepreneurs such as Rachel Zoe in the ‘Big Apple’ and Arianna Huffington in Los Angeles.
So what exactly is Business Chicks?
Basically, Business Chicks brings “like-minded souls together”, in order to swap ideas, share stories, and spark inspiration.
The company hosts hundreds of successful events every year, allowing its members to “rub shoulders” with all sorts of celebrities and characters, from Sir Richard Branson to Diane von Furstenberg and Bobbi Brown. To inspire its members, original daily content is posted on the Business Chick’s website, allowing entrepreneurs to learn and share the “tricks of the trade”.
Isaacs, who started her first job staffing agency aged only 18, has business running through her veins. She was a finalist in last year’s Telstra Business Women’s Awards in the Young Business Woman category.
Business Chick goes Global
Business Chicks is now about to go global with the 35-year-old next month launching her company into the productive US market, while eyeing Asia and Europe as well.
“You never 100% know if your attempts to create will be successful, or will amount to anything, but you can’t let that deter you. Success flows when you throw yourself in and have a go – mistakes and all!” Isaacs was quoted saying by Naomi Simson, Influencer and Founding Director of RedBalloon.
Over the years, Business Chicks has worked on initiatives such as the ‘Immersion and Leadership Project’ where Isaacs went to Uganda with a group of members to empower women.
Women and the Labor Market
According to the UN, women continue to participate in labour markets on an unequal basis with men. Women in most countries earn on average only 60 to 75 per cent of men’s wages. It is calculated that women could increase their income globally by up to 76 per cent if the employment participation gap and the wage gap between women and men were closed. This is calculated to have a global value of USD 17 trillion.
Business Chicks, is not just a sort of “sisterhood”; it has the capacity to inspire everyone to do something different. To succeed. And to be excited about it.
