AVPro’s 150-Metre HDMI Extender Pitched As Retrofit SolutionOpinion: 5 common misconceptions about women and entrepreneurship To make entrepreneurship more gender-inclusive, it's important to confront the underlying biases that create barriers for women. The Conversation Nov 24, 2024 12:00 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Although women in Canada engage in entrepreneurship more than in other comparable countries, there is still a significant gender gap. CoWomen/Pexels Listen to this article 00:06:48 Women entrepreneurs are essential for the Canadian economy, a fact recognized by the government’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy . This strategy was launched in 2018 and has seen nearly $7 billion be put toward supporting women-owned businesses in Canada. Although women in Canada engage in entrepreneurship more than in other comparable countries, there is still a significant gender gap . Only 15 per cent of women are engaged in startups and seven per cent are owner-managers of established businesses, compared to 24 per cent and nine per cent of men, respectively. If women participated in entrepreneurship as much as men, global GDP would rise by an estimated three to six per cent, adding $2.5 to $5 trillion to the global economy . This is not just about economic growth, but is a broader ethical and societal issue. By limiting women’s entrepreneurial participation, we are also limiting women’s opportunities for employment, empowerment and the promotion of gender equality more broadly. To make entrepreneurship more gender-inclusive, it’s important to confront the underlying biases that create barriers for women. As experts and researchers in entrepreneurship, we’ve identified five common misconceptions about women and entrepreneurship that need to be challenged. Misconception #1: Women don’t want to be entrepreneurs The first misconception is that women are not motivated to become entrepreneurs. This misconception partly arises from the gendered language that is often used to describe entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial language tends to be masculine, using terms like “risk-takers,” “achievement-oriented” and “confident,” which are all characteristics more commonly associated with men . This perceived mismatch may contribute to the belief that women are less motivated to pursue entrepreneurship. While women are less likely than men to start a business, in reality, there is strong entrepreneurial motivation among women. Women make up 37 per cent of self-employment statistics in Canada. Misconception #2: Women are not successful entrepreneurs The second misconception is that women are not successful entrepreneurs. This has to do with traditional measures of success, which focus on business size, profitability and growth rate. Relative to men, women are more likely to run smaller businesses with lower profitability and growth , but this does not necessarily mean they underperform. First, small businesses — regardless of the owner’s gender — have limited profitability and growth in general. Second, women are more likely to be part-time entrepreneurs because they often have to balance business ownership with family and household responsibilities. And third, women are over-represented in lower-growth and lower-wage industries like retail and food services . These factors explain the lower performance levels for women entrepreneurs, which are influenced by socially constructed and historical factors, not an inability to be successful. Misconception #3: Women can’t secure business funding The third misconception is that women entrepreneurs are not capable of securing business funding. While women entrepreneurs are less likely to receive financial backing , this is not because of lack of capabilities. Instead, women are less likely to ask for financial funding, either because they don’t require it or because they’re discouraged from applying due to fear of rejection. When women do seek financial backing, they’re usually asked different questions than men are , which affects their outcomes. Finance providers tend to ask women questions that focus on potential failures, while they ask men about potential success. Since the framing of questions influences their responses, women’s answers — which are often focused on preventing failure — instil less confidence and lead to less funding. Misconception #4: Women are risk-averse The fourth misconception is that women are risk averse, preventing them from becoming entrepreneurs. There is some research that points to this misconception being true; one study , for instance, found that women exhibit higher levels of risk aversion when making financial decisions compared to men. However, most women are not inherently risk-averse. This perception is likely a result of how women are socialized according to cultural norms and expectations. Women are often expected to be more communal and caring , while men are expected to be more competitive and risk-taking. The way we define and understand “risk” may also contribute to this misconception. Success stories about entrepreneurs often focus on financial risk — something more commonly associated with men. Less attention is given to the risks women are more likely to take, such as standing up for their beliefs or choosing the ethical route when faced with a dilemma, even if it might result in lower financial success. Misconception #5: Women don’t establish the right networks The fifth misconception is that women fail to build the right networks as entrepreneurs. Research shows women tend to develop more formal mentoring and networking relationships , such as through professional associations, while men typically have a mix of both formal and informal connections. Formal mentoring often offers fewer career development benefits compared to informal connections. Women are less likely to engage in informal mentoring, not because they lack interest or ability, but because there are fewer women entrepreneurs to connect with. Despite this, women are actually more active than men in supporting others’ careers, both men and women. These misconceptions about women entrepreneurs are rooted in the historically masculine nature of entrepreneurship and can be barriers to women becoming successful entrepreneurs. By challenging these stereotypes and promoting gender inclusivity in entrepreneurship, we can help remove obstacles and create a more supportive environment for women entrepreneurs. Ingrid Chadwick received funding from the Fonds Québécois de la Recherche sur la Société et la Culture (FRQ-SC) for this project. Alexandra Dawson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Economy, Law & Politics Explosion at B.C. oil waste facility injures two workers, leads to $42K penalty Nov 22, 2024 4:05 PM Opinion: Why taxpayers deserve a public inquiry into Elections BC Nov 22, 2024 3:30 PM S&P/TSX composite up Friday, U.S. stock markets also rise Nov 22, 2024 1:42 PMIt's been a great year for the S&P 500 , with many top growth stocks and value stocks hitting all-time highs. But because growth stocks like Nvidia make up such a large share of the S&P 500 -- and have produced such strong gains -- exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that don't hold those names would have had a tough time beating the S&P 500 this year. The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF ( VIG 0.01% ) , Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF ( VOOV -0.32% ) , and the Vanguard Energy ETF ( VDE -1.80% ) have all underperformed the S&P 500 so far in 2024. But they all have combinations of quality top holdings and reasonable valuations that could position them to shine bright in 2025. 1. Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF This fund is unusual because it includes a blend of growth stocks and value stocks. And, unlike some dividend-centric funds that focus primarily on yields, this one tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, which includes only companies that have grown their payouts annually for at least 10 straight years. The index also excludes the highest-yielding 25% of companies that would otherwise be eligible for inclusion. The fund's top five holdings are Apple , Broadcom , Microsoft , JPMorgan Chase , and ExxonMobil . While JPMorgan Chase and ExxonMobil have solid yields, Apple, Broadcom, and Microsoft have low yields in part because their stock prices have performed so well in recent years. AAPL data by YCharts. In this vein, the fund doesn't punish a company for having a low yield just because its stock price has performed well. It's also worth mentioning that Apple, Broadcom, and Microsoft all repurchase considerable amounts of their stock , which is another way for companies to pass profits back to shareholders. Because it invests in companies from all sectors that regularly increase their dividends, the Dividend Appreciation ETF doesn't get too bogged down in stodgy, low-growth sectors. One drawback of some high-yield ETFs is that they can include companies that have high yields not because they've substantially raised their payouts, but because their stock prices have underperformed. For example, imagine two stocks that both yield 3%. If one stock triples in five years while the other's price gets cut in half, then at the end of that time (assuming both keep their payouts constant), the outperforming stock will have a yield of just 1% while the falling stock would have a yield of 6%. This illustrates how underperformance can turn a stock into a high-yielding investment, but that doesn't make such a stock a better all-around source of passive income. The Dividend Appreciation ETF is well-suited for folks who view stocks' passive income potential as merely one aspect of an investment thesis rather than driving the bulk of it. The Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF has 437 holdings, but outside of the top 100 or so holdings, each component makes up 0.25% of the fund or less. However, the top 10 holdings combined make up less than 20% of the fund, so it isn't overly top-heavy either. A whopping 63% of the fund is in financials, healthcare, industrials, and consumer staples, whereas just 17.5% is in tech, consumer discretionary, and communications. By contrast, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF , which tracks the S&P 500, has about half of its holdings in tech, consumer discretionary, and communications because of the enormous market values of Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon , Tesla , Alphabet , and Meta Platforms . Since it does not include any of those top growth stocks, and instead invests in value stocks, the Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF will miss out on a lot of the upside potential of themes like artificial intelligence , software, hardware, automation, robotics, and social media . What investors get instead are a less expensive valuation and a better yield. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has a 30.3 price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio and a 1.3% yield compared to a 25.9 P/E ratio and a 2% yield for the Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF. The Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF is a good buy if you want an investment that has less exposure to premium-priced sectors and a higher yield for boosting your passive income stream . 3. Vanguard Energy ETF The Vanguard Energy ETF is designed to reflect the performance of the energy sector, which has put up decent gains this year, but not as strong as the S&P 500. ^SPX data by YCharts . Unlike the Dividend Appreciation ETF or the S&P 500 Value ETF, the Energy ETF is top-heavy: Just two stocks, ExxonMobil and Chevron , account for 36% of its portfolio value. But that level of concentration is arguably a good thing because of the volatility of the oil and natural gas industry . ExxonMobil and Chevron sport elite balance sheets, and with their diversified business models, they do far more than just produce oil and natural gas. They both have growing low-carbon divisions that invest in various technologies, such as carbon capture and storage and low-carbon fuels. They also pass along their profits to shareholders through stock buybacks and growing dividend payouts . One of the most attractive qualities of the Vanguard Energy ETF is its low P/E ratio of 8.5 and its yield of 3.3%. Across the industry, oil and natural gas companies have proven they can thrive even in the current mid-cycle price environment. A wave of consolidation has contributed to efficiency improvements and strong earnings growth . The energy sector is cheap because it is prone to downturns, is capital intensive (which can strain corporate balance sheets), and because so many legacy companies in it are threatened by the clean energy transition and falling demand for fossil fuels and other products made from oil. But these risks are arguably already baked into the valuations of companies in the space. By investing in this ETF, investors can get some diversification of risk across the sector, and also collect a sizable amount of passive income while benefiting from the upside potential of higher oil and natural gas prices. Being mindful of market volatility No one can know for sure what the S&P 500 will do in the near term. But we do know that investing in quality companies at reasonable valuations has historically been a winning long-term strategy. At the time of this writing, the S&P 500 is up by more than 57% since the start of 2023, while growth-focused ETFs like the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF have more than doubled during that period. The more extended the broader rally becomes, the more pressure is put on growth-driven companies to deliver exceptional results to justify their valuations. For example, last month, Nvidia stock sold off after the chipmaker reported its latest results -- even though it exceeded analysts' expectations and raised its guidance . I fully believe that top growth companies will continue to deliver excellent results and lead the earnings growth of major indexes like the S&P 500, but I could see the market responding to even solid results with less enthusiasm. In other words, the valuations of those companies have gotten a little ahead of themselves, and the businesses will need time for their metrics to catch up. The good news is that a company like Nvidia is delivering unbelievable earnings growth , and its stock price is following that earnings growth. Until that changes, calling Nvidia a bubble stock would be unfair. In the current environment, though, putting new capital to work in top funds that sport reasonable valuations -- funds like the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF, Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF, and the Vanguard Energy ETF, for example -- seems like a winning strategy, especially for investors looking for investments that are likely to be less volatile than the major indexes if there is a stock market sell-off in 2025.Influencer Dominique Brown dies aged 34 after ‘allergic reaction’ during charity event as her brother pays tribute
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PORTSMOUTH, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- Premier lifestyle brand and hospitality management company, Lark Hotels, announces today the formation of a joint venture with contextual hotel brand and operator, Life House. This joint venture will operate under Lark Hospitality LLC, doing business as Lark, encompassing all Lark Hotels and Life House-branded hotels, 33 restaurants and bars, and the groups’ combined portfolio of nearly 100 independent spirited properties, with locations throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, and Mexico. As part of the transaction, among the Life House stakeholders, both Inovia Capital and Thayer Investment Partners will continue to support this joint venture. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Blind Tiger, a Lark Hotels property in Burlington, Vermont (image by Matt Kisiday) Combining their assets and expertise to form Lark Hospitality, industry trailblazers Rob Blood (Founder, Lark Hotels), Peter Twachtman (CEO, Lark Hotels), and Marc Ghobriel (CEO, Life House) join forces with Blood as Chairman, Twachtman as CEO, and Ghobriel leading the Life House transition team. In addition to doubling Lark's footprint, the combined entity grows the company’s centralized team by bringing key positions over from Life House, allowing for continued best-in-class solutions for customized hotel management, day-to-day operations, hiring, technology, and marketing services to maximize owner cash flow. The new entity will have nearly $1 billion in assets under management, and represent accommodations in 27 states, more than 3,000 total keys, nearly 1,500 employees in peak season, and total annual revenue of more than $150 million under management. “There is no company that has made everyone at Lark Hotels sharpen their pencils more than Life House,” said Rob Blood, founder of Lark Hotels. “Over the last five years, they have made us think deeply about who we are as a company, what our value proposition is for our stakeholders, and who we want to be going forward. As we come together, we look forward to incorporating the best practices of both of our companies to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests, investors, hotel owners and teams.” "The complementary strengths of Life House and Lark, both geographically and operationally, create a leader in the independent and boutique hotel management market," said Marc Ghobriel, CEO of Life House. "We're eager to continue focusing on delivering a great experience, to guests at the properties we manage, as well as to their owners, and we plan on investing in building a strong portfolio of brands across North America." As one of the few remaining truly independent hospitality companies with a family of brands, including Lark Hotels, Bluebird by Lark, Blind Tiger, AWOL, and Lark Independent, Lark will focus on further developing its individual brands, as well as the Life House brand, by partnering with aspiring and existing hotel owners, family offices, private equity firms, and real estate developers. The company plans to continue to leverage its robust loyalty program to deliver exceptional experiences for guests and valuable direct revenue for hotel owners. Lark’s unique combination of best-in-class management, supported by a nimble tech stack and a choice of meaningful brands that deliver both the benefit of flexibility and the assurance of connection, gives real estate developers and hotel owners many paths to success with Lark. For more information or photography, please contact Mary DiLeo at or 978-998-0240. Launched by Rob Blood in 2012, Lark Hotels operates lifestyle properties in high-profile destinations, embracing their communities in playful, unexpected ways. Each Lark Hotel invites guests to experience intimate getaways in the heart of an iconic destination, feel the pull of nostalgia, and find attentive service when they want it or privacy when they don’t. In 2020, Lark Hotels launched its third-party management division, focused on the management and marketing of independent hotels throughout the United States. In 2021, Lark Hotels introduced Bluebird by Lark, a sister collection of boutique roadside lodges, reimagined for the great American road trip. In 2024, seven Lark Hotels properties were awarded prestigious Michelin Keys from Michelin Guide, a coveted honor that recognizes the country’s most outstanding hotels. Most recently, Lark Hotels opened AWOL Stowe, the third iteration of its emerging AWOL brand in the heart of Stowe, Vermont, complete with an outdoor Nordic spa deck and free-standing A-frame cabins. In 2025, Lark Hotels will debut several new and noteworthy properties in sought-after destinations, including their first in a major metropolitan city. For more information about Lark Hotels and Bluebird by Lark, visit and . Lark Hotels is always seeking growth opportunities through both third party management agreements and joint venture opportunities. To learn more, visit . To discuss Lark’s acquisition and management opportunities, please reach out to . Led by CEO Marc Ghobriel, Life House is a vertically integrated hotel management and technology company focused on serving small and medium independent hotels with institutional-quality service. Life House uses advanced software and operating systems to increase profitability and reliability for independent hotels. The company was founded in 2017 by real estate, hospitality, and technology veterans and is backed by world-renowned private equity and venture investors. In 2023, recognized Life House as one of the top management companies for independent hoteliers to know. View source version on : CONTACT: Mary DiLeo All Heart PR 978.998.0240 KEYWORD: NEW HAMPSHIRE UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: LODGING TRAVEL SOURCE: Lark Hotels Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 04:03 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 04:01 PMLANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game with 21 seconds left after Washington’s Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin connected on an 86-yard touchdown, Dallas’ Juanyeh Thomas returned the ensuing onside kick attempt for a touchdown, and the Cowboys pulled out a 34-26 victory Sunday that extended the Commanders’ skid to three games. Seibert, who missed the previous two games with a right hip injury, was wide left on the point-after attempt following a low snap. Thomas then took the kick back 43 yards as the Cowboys (4-7) ended their losing streak at five in improbable fashion. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.