Sherry Damatarca: News Canada, Information for Life. Nicole Bowles is a successful career women, and part of a growing trend in Canada, like thousands of other women, Nicole has chosen to be in business for herself. There are now about 800,000 women business owners in Canada, and that number is growing 60% faster than businesses by men. In fact, it's estimated that one million Canadian women will own a small business by 2010.
Nicole Bowles: I chose to go into business for myself because I had to find an earning opportunity that I believed in, that would allow me to stay home with my son and to watch him grow up.
Sherry Damatarca: Kathleen Earle is with Avon Canada, and says, Increasingly women want the flexibility to juggle family life and work life.
Kathleen Earle: The direct selling industry is a robust industry in Canada with almost $2 billion in sales, and we have experienced the 25% increase in our sales over the last two years. We have over 1.3 million Canadians working in the direct selling industry. And interestingly, 88% of those people are women.
The reason women choose to get into business for themselves nowadays is they don't want to have to choose between the family and a career. They really want it all. They want to be able to be at home, when the kids come home from school, and they want to be able to work whatever hours suit them.
Nicole Bowles: I have been think with Avon for over 10 years till date. My initial goal for success was to buy a computer for my husband and for the family. Overall, now I have accomplished dreams that I didn't realize that I had. Including new vehicles for my family and a beautiful luxury dream home.
Sherry Damatarca: And if you decide to go into business for yourself, do your homework.
Kathleen Earle: A woman looking to get into business for herself nowadays first should start with the product. Find a product that you are passionate about, that you love, because it will be so much easier to get others excited about that product. Know why you are in business and what your goals are. And never, never loose site of those goals. And the third thing is determination. Don't give up. Most people in this business give up just before the business is ready to explode.
Sherry Damatarca: Thanks to the internet. There is a wealth of resources available to give Canadian women all of the business information they need. From helping you sort out what type of business is right for you, to practical advice on finances. Sherry Damatarca reporting.
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