As a woman owned business, March 8th holds special significance for us. International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the strengths, achievements, and resilience of women, and doc2e-file wants to highlight the contributions that women make in the workplace.
Women owned businesses are impacting the economy in unprecedented ways. They account for 40% of all business in the United States, generating trillions of dollars in revenue annually, and employ approximately 12 million people. There is no denying the impact women owned businesses have today.
In honor of this day, we wanted to take a deeper look into what it means to be a woman in business today. We sat down with our Founder and President, Sherry McManus, to hear her thoughts on her entrepreneurial journey and the importance of supporting women owned businesses. She has been in the document conversion and records management industry for 30 years before founding doc2e-file in 1999.
Interview
What motivated you to start your own business?
“A client actually said to me that they would like to work with a woman owned business. That conversation set me on this journey that started 26 years ago and I still wake every day grateful to be traveling and learning. (P.S. They are still a client today!)”
What advice would you give other women who are thinking about starting their own business?
“Passion is the key to success for anyone, but for women especially because there will be sacrifices to family, relationships and even to yourself. If your business idea evolved from passion, you must go for it! Don’t go into business because it’s a good idea, or you can sell the product, or you have resources etc. Go into business because you LOVE this idea, the product, or service and you can convince others to love it too.”
Why do you think women owned businesses are making such an impact?
“Women are dreamers but also ‘do-ers’. If a woman says something is a goal – it will happen! Women are entering into the tech world in a big way and making impacts in the economy in really significant ways. Women bring a lot to the table and the sky is the limit – I look forward to seeing what will be!”
What do you enjoy most being involved of multiple women owned business groups
“The connection through classes, events and meetings – I am a girl’s girl and love to be around these strong women with brilliant minds and learning from them. Such inspiration!”
Why do you think supporting women owned businesses is so important?
“There has always been a ‘good ole boys club’, but women have a sisterhood that I respect and promote at every chance. Humans tend to be competitive by nature (survival of the species and that bit) and it isn’t instinctive for us to help one another rise up. However, women understand women and that makes for a great business environment – we are nurturers and will get the job done. I love working with women owned businesses and I highly respect what it takes to be in business and still be feminine in every sense of that word.”
Why Supporting Women Owned Businesses Matter
The truth is, while the path for women in business is filled with achievements, women still face challenges that men do not. They are often underrepresented, undervalued, and underfunded. Historically, women were not able to even obtain a business loan until The Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988. Supporting women owned businesses is not only about empowering women. It’s about helping drive economic growth, promoting diversity, and creating a more inclusive business environment. They bring new, fresh perspectives and ideas that may have never been thought of.
doc2e-file is a Certified WBENC Women Business Enterprise and we are proud to be part of a growing network of women owned businesses that are transforming industries, supporting each other, and breaking down barriers.
The Future
International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the achievements of women around the world, including the ones in our own office. By celebrating women owned businesses, we recognize not only the determination and resilience of women entrepreneurs but also the positive impact they have on our economy and society. Let’s continue to support and uplift women in business! Not just on March 8th, but everyday.
Happy International Women’s Day from doc2e-file!
