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On International Women’s Day, Dau Consulting wants to give a shout out to women all over the world who run their own business. Dau Consulting, a women-owned business, works with 5-7 talented, wonderful woman business owners who use their earned income to help support their families.  Let’s try to support female business owners because it can be a tough gig. 

I am reminded today of entrepreneurs I have met while traveling. My heart goes out to a young Key West artisan who was peddling her handmade jewelry around sunset at Mallory Square.  I bought a gorgeous, unique necklace and matching earrings from her for about $35, and she responded “Yes, I can eat tonight!”  Then, she seemed apologetic, but her basic reaction encapsulated the excitement that a sale can bring and how necessary it is to support these start-ups.

My most eye-opening encounter was when my daughter and I visited a women’s cooperative in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco in 2018. To put my story in perspective, please realize that Islamic Morocco ranks 121 on the Gender Inequality Scale, (the United States rank 17^th (http://hdr.undp.org/en/composite/GIIso) and

Morocco is not known for being progressive in any way.  The entire day, we did not see women out and about in the markets or in the public places. Our tour guides shared that some women are like “caged birds” who never see outside their homes except for their separate floor in the local mosque. Women don’t usually own businesses, but this coop was subsidized by the government to help divorced women earn money to feed their families.

Six women were crushing nuts to produce Argon oil and selling it in a tourist shop on the side of the road. They explained to the tourists, the process of making the oils and you can see a picture of the head person above. Can you imagine their life? Looking back, I only wish I bought more lotion and oil from them to support them in their venture. Let’s support all women, this week, this month, this year, to gain financial freedom and a better life.