Women Business Brokers on the Rise
The number of women business brokers is on the rise and has been steadily increasing for the past several years. According to business broker Marcie Woolworth of the International Business Brokers Association's (IBBA) Women's Forum, more women are starting to realize that the industry is exciting, but also offers perks such as flexible schedules and good incomes.
In fact, the IBBA, which represents about 2,000 business brokers worldwide, estimates that approximately 10 percent of their membership is female.
There are several steps that women interested in becoming new or better business brokers can take to ensure their own success. First, education is of the utmost importance. Women business brokers should take advantage of state and international associations. There are courses and classes available to gain certifications and increase credibility.
Equally important is a full understanding of financial statements and financing. Although women business brokers are making names for themselves in the financial world, maintaining credibility is extremely important. All business brokers also should continue to take advantage of networking opportunities whenever possible, but women business brokers have some distinct advantages in the field.
Intuitively, women tend to be very good at establishing trust and listening to clients' needs. These are very important aspects when brokering deals, especially when a business owner's spouse has influence on the decision-making. Emotions tend to run high when a deal is in the works, and women business brokers have proven to be very effective cushions between the buyer and seller.
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