Having come from a male owned, predominantly male staffed company, I get asked all the time now…what it is like to work for a women-owned firm? It is very different?

My honest response: “It is great!”

Before working at kor group, I was often surprised to hear about someone working for a women-owned firm and curious too. Now that I am with one, I have learned that women-owned small businesses are growing at a rapid rate. In fact, 10.1 million firms are owned by women (50% or more), employing more than 13 million people, and generating $1.9 trillion in sales as of 2008.

Statistics show that employees of women owned businesses are generally happier in their careers because they feel as though their time and effort are valued. According to The Center for Women’s Business Research, women and men business owners have different management styles because women emphasize relationship building as well as fact gathering and are more likely to consult with experts, employees, and fellow business owners. The kor partners are encouraging, caring, understanding and helpful.

Of all the jobs I have had over the years, kor group seems most like a family. The three partners, MB, Anne & Karen, play an enormous part in that. While each partner has their own personality and approach to doing business they all equally share how much they care about their employees and clients.

I find it amazing how the partners juggle running the business and running homes and family. They are continuing their education, sitting on committees and acting as members of various boards, coaching and attending children’s sporting and dancing events, and volunteering at their kids’ schools – just to name a few!

At kor group our motto is always do whatever we can to help each other out. We’re family and we stick together. These values are instilled in us by the partners – and I have only found them at a women-owned firm. The employees and clients recognize and appreciate these values.

As the office manager here, I have come to expect almost anything to be thrown at me, and I truly believe that is what keeps my job exciting. Most recently, MB came to me and told me that I may need to watch her daughter, Gracie for some mornings for a few weeks. Although “babysitter” is not part of my job description, if I was not willing to help MB out, she would have to take those mornings off, in turn having to cancel meetings with clients, conferences calls and much more. This would directly affect the daily grind at kor group.

We have come to understand that, yes, working for women can be different – but in a great way. Curve balls get thrown at us, but we have learned to adjust, help each other out and stick together. By doing this, we are not only happy, but also a successful women-owned business.