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The recent pandemic affected people's lives in countless ways. For some, it was a case of adapting and surviving, while others relished being thrust into the unknown. The forced changes in society led to businesses collapsing, but it also paved the way for new opportunities for women to start their own businesses or work online. Today, Teton Women’s Health Center shares everything you need to know.
Background
A few common areas in a woman's life affected by the pandemic include:
• Career. According to recent reports, during COVID-19, female unemployment was nearly double the rate of male unemployment. This forced women into seeking alternative work opportunities, many of whom found creative ways of making money.
• Child care. Women still bear the brunt of child care, and the lack of support from the schooling system during the pandemic forced many families to reassess their situations. There was the expectation that parents needed to homeschool their children, which required a balancing act. This led to many women leaving their careers to be at home with their kids. Work-from-home jobs increased in popularity.
• Mental health. Because of social isolation and too much time at home, many women were forced to think about a new career direction. Many women prioritized mental health by reaching out and finding support groups.
• Physical health. The combination of social isolation and working from home during the pandemic have made it remarkably easy for one’s weight to grow into unhealthy ranges.
Working OnlineIf you've had to change course due to the pandemic, consider working online. Doing work from home gives you more flexibility and opens up a world of inspiration to start your own business. Popular online vocations include transcription services, online content writing services, virtual assistants, and online tutoring.
Starting and Marketing a Business
Women who establish their own companies should identify potential opportunities in their area. Starting an online business is one thing, but if you'd prefer to offer a service, consider creating a hiking group, dog walking, or boot camp.
If you do start your own business, consider forming a limited liability company (LLC). An LLC has many benefits, such as tax advantages, limited personal liability if something goes wrong, and less paperwork. The easiest route is to hire a formation company to file the paperwork and state rules. It’s also wise to invest in a cloud accounting system. This will make keeping track of your business’s finances straightforward, and you won’t have to worry about losing backups.
Once you've finished the business administration portion, the marketing begins. Marketing your new business is key to success. Outsource your website and logo design to a graphic designer or web designer, and ask them to create a media kit. If you're going to send images, compress them without losing quality when you use a free tool to convert JPG to PDF online. This method will allow you to convert multiple files into one PDF.
Next, select a few relevant social media platforms and post regularly. Consider using a small budget to promote your posts to your target market. Depending on your business type, recruit friends and family to start promoting you online.
The Positive Effects of the Pandemic
The pandemic certainly affected women differently, from their home lives to their careers. Although these changes haven't been easy, many have used the opportunity as a springboard into alternate careers where they're discovering their creativity. If you found that your world was turned upside down by the pandemic, look for ways that you can transform it into a positive. COVID may have changed the world, but that doesn’t mean you can’t carve your own path as well.
Teton Women’s Health Center offers a variety of women's health services in Idaho Falls, from preconceptual counseling to prenatal care to the delivery of your baby. Call 208-523-2060.