(Guest Post by Makensie Mauney-McDaniel)
Recently, we celebrated 20 years of my amazing mom doing what she does best!
She’s built a business with heart, lifted up so many people along the way, and shown me what it really means to be a resilient, compassionate woman in business. I’ve learned so much just by watching her do her thing with passion, grit, and grace.
Thank you to our family, friends, and community for all the years of support. Here’s to even more years of success and impact. Love you tons, Mom!
I would also like to highlight what women in business are still up against.
Despite all our progress, women, especially women of color, continue to face unique challenges in the business world. Here are just a few:
The Gender Pay Gap: Women are still paid less than men for doing the same jobs, especially in leadership roles.
Funding Inequality: Female entrepreneurs receive only a small slice of venture capital funding compared to male-led startups.
Bias & Stereotypes: Women often must work harder to prove they’re competent, capable, or “tough enough” to lead.
Work-Life Pressures: Society still expects women to balance career success with caregiving responsibilities, without missing a beat.
Lack of Representation: Women are underrepresented in boardrooms, C-suites, and high-level decision-making spaces.
Limited Access to Networks: Many professional circles and mentorship opportunities are still harder for women.
Workplace Harassment & Discrimination: From being interrupted in meetings to facing inappropriate behavior, many women navigate environments that don’t feel fully safe or supportive.
And one that hits close to home:
Imposter Syndrome: Constantly having to prove yourself can lead to deep self-doubt, even when you’re more than qualified.
BUT here’s the good news:
Women are pushing back. They’re leading companies, building empires, mentoring each other, creating space, and rewriting the rules. The future is being shaped by bold, brilliant women who refuse to shrink.
Let’s keep supporting, amplifying, and standing beside them.
Makensie Mauney-McDaniel holds a Master of Science in Counselor Education from East Carolina University. She is the mother of a beautiful baby boy named Myles and is currently enjoying her role as a stay-at-home mom.
