#InspiringWomen -The Challenge of Confidence

According to a Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report on female entrepreneurship, only 29% of women in the world consider themselves capable of successfully starting a business, compared to 42% of men[1]. Based on psychological, educational and social biases, lack of confidence is a major obstacle to entrepreneurship among women, whose entrepreneurial activity is still 5% lower than that of men[2]. In Europe, 86% of French women entrepreneurs and 63% of German women entrepreneurs cite self-censorship and lack of confidence as obstacles[3]. This issue seems all the more paradoxical at a time when women entrepreneurs are on average more highly educated than their male counterparts (22% more educated in Europe[4]).

Confidence is a central theme in the career path of Laurence Lascary, founder of the film production company De l’Autre Côté du Périph’. Laurence Lascary has overcome many challenges along her entrepreneurial journey, from her high school days in a working-class neighbourhood to The Climb, her company's first feature film with 1.2 million tickets sold. However, she still considers being an introvert to be a day-to-day challenge.

“Be yourself […]. Once we understand our strengths and weaknesses, everything becomes possible!"

Faced with these challenges shared by many women entrepreneurs, support and mentoring programs are on the rise to help them take the plunge and succeed long-term. Sharing experiences and difficulties, benefiting from the advice of peers, overcoming the loneliness of the entrepreneur: support for women entrepreneurs goes well beyond the financial dimension.

To promote the success of women entrepreneurs, since 2015 BNP Paribas Wealth Management has been holding the Women Entrepreneur Program in partnership with the Women Initiative Foundation. This intensive week of training, workshops and discussions at Stanford University each year enables 40 women entrepreneurs from all over the world to develop their managerial skills, strengthen their network and identify new business opportunities.