Your Business Needs You
Ava, 37, turned her passion for cooking into a small home based catering business to support her family while still managing her home and children. What began as a few weekend food orders from friends slowly grew into regular customers and steady income that made her feel proud and confident. Ava focused on what she enjoyed most which was cooking. Her husband said he would take care of the money part including banking, bookkeeping and taxes. Ava felt relieved because she always believed numbers were not her strength, so she agreed and did not get involved.
After one year, a tax notice arrived. There were mistakes in the tax filing, missing records and extra fees that could have been avoided with better management. Ava was shocked. She had worked very hard to earn this money, yet she did not know how it was being handled or whether it was being saved for her future. This moment changed her thinking. She realised that staying completely away from the financial side of her business, even if done out of trust or convenience, came with a cost. She understood that it is fine to let others help with the work, but not fine to give up awareness.
Ava’s experience is very common among women who start small or passion led businesses. Many women step back when money matters come up, thinking someone else who is better with numbers will manage it. This happens to women in many fields whether they are running a catering business, teaching as a tutor, styling hair as a hairdresser, running a boutique or online store, offering consulting services, baking from home, doing art or craft sales or providing any skill based service. However, walking away from financial involvement often reduces confidence and control. Even if a partner, family member or accountant manages the daily financial tasks, it is important for women to understand the basics of their business finances. You do not need to be an expert in accounting. You only need enough knowledge to stay informed, ask questions and take part in decisions that affect your earnings and your future.
Ava did not regret trusting her husband. She regretted not trusting herself enough to stay informed. Many women avoid financial matters because they are afraid of making mistakes. The bigger risk is not knowing what is happening at all. Real financial confidence is not only about earning money. It is also about understanding it, being involved in decisions and having a say in what happens to it. Whether you sell meals, teach students, style hair, run a boutique, coach clients or freelance in your extra time, your work and your income matter. They deserve respect and that respect begins with financial awareness. You can ask others to handle the tasks, but you should not give away responsibility for understanding your own finances.
Your talent and hard work created the income. Your voice should be part of the decisions about how that income is used, saved or invested. Start with small steps. Look at your earnings each month, ask questions without feeling shy or afraid and stay aware even if a professional accountant or family member is doing the detailed work. Your financial understanding does not need to be perfect. It only needs to exist. When women stay involved, they gain clarity, confidence and long term security. Getting support with financial tasks can be smart, but giving up control and knowledge is not.