Why do women have to feel guilty for earning money?

And everything else

This week on social something kicked off where a brand put their prices up and then the founder received personal backlash about their lifestyle. Let’s be clear, all businesses have to make money to survive. And let’s presume that all businesses want to grow and thrive. I found it disappointing that this particular individual was criticised for living a good life after all the hard work they’ve put in, why shouldn’t they?

Running a business isn’t easy, and you have to sacrifice a lot to be successful. I believe that the key to success is usually just a lot of hard work, and a touch of luck. But without the hard work, no amount of money, or luck, will enable you to get there.

This situation got me thinking about the way men and women view money or more accurately, the way money surrounding men and women is perceived by others. I can’t recall seeing men criticised for splashing out. In fact, aren’t men usually celebrated for being outright boujee?

[Shot by Elspeth Vincent ]

I’ve worked on one of my businesses without earning a single penny for over five years. When you actually think about this, that’s crazy. Working full time hours for five years without any financial reward. Now that’s my choice and of course, there is the bigger picture piece to consider. But if I started to earn a six figure salary from either of my jobs, would you begrudge me? I am not saying I go without, but I definitely have to be comfortable with debt and a lack of financial security (which I am by the way, so I am not expecting any sympathy). I am very aware I live a very privileged life. See, here I go again being apologetic for talking about money. Interesting isn’t it?

I don’t want to go all America Ferrera on you (I still haven’t got round to watching Barbie yet), but it does get you thinking that women do sometimes get the raw deal. We can’t be girl bosses anymore, we can’t be Karen’s, we can’t be dripping in cash, we can’t be dressed too provocatively, we can’t have it all as actually, juggling it all is horrendous, but we can’t have a nanny because (well I can’t afford it), but also, would I be criticised for not looking after my own kids, we can’t have a caesarean (I had two), because it’s an ‘easier’ way out (yeah right), and we can’t run a successful business and reap the rewards without being criticised, apparently.

Women feel guilty, but I’m lucky to say I’ve got a really great network of women around me, who support me and hopefully feel I support them in return. If I had one piece of advice it would be that. Create a network, see them as your team not your competition, and lean on them to get you through the trickier times.