The idea of a daughter favored to inherit a family business was not on the table a mere two generations ago. Rather, family businesses were passed down to sons, regardless of age. Daughters were expected to enter traditionally female trades such as education or nursing, which are still female-dominated. The percentage of women-owned businesses has risen to 42% in the US in 2024, though there are many recent examples of events, meetings, and correspondences where women were still not taken seriously as business leaders.

Networking plays an essential role in business-building, and professional and social networking groups often still reflect those outdated perspectives. High-level networking groups don’t always welcome or recognize females in business in the same light as their male counterparts, though Big Sea Owner Andi Graham said things are a bit different in Western North Carolina.

Operating a business in the Tampa Bay area for 20 years, Graham noticed large networking groups consisting of only 10% women, as well as one man charging thousands of dollars for simple introductions at networking groups. In WNC, she has noticed the business ecosystem is unique because it has been more welcoming to women than most other regions. 

Since relocating to the Asheville area, Graham has found networking opportunities to be positive experiences, involving genuine interest in welcoming newcomers and women, and building the community. There are still social events that are male dominated, which reflects the saying of “all the business happens on the golf course,” which  can feel intimidating for many women, despite an invitation.

“I have kindly been invited to social hours with some area businessmen,” Graham said. “It’s still hard to walk into a room of 20 men and feel like you were the token that was invited to something.”

There are many networking groups specifically for women, primarily made up of leaders of businesses like food and beverage, coaching, consulting, and real estate. Conversely, the majority-male groups comprise individuals like CEOs of major industrial corporations. There is a large power dynamic difference between these groups, and what women feel when “hanging out and having drinks” and discussing challenges experienced in business can lead to uncomfortable vulnerability in certain settings.

To avoid unnecessary discomfort while creating working relationships with business leaders of any gender, Graham suggests attending some of the wide variety of events held regularly in the area.

“You have to be somewhere where collisions happen,” Graham said. “This means you have to leave your office and attend events. There are so many options in Asheville specifically, and for me, that means fundraising events — dinners, galas, parties and things like that — where high-level executives and leaders that I want to know often gather. The Chamber does a great job of hosting events that attract all kinds of people, and I feel very welcomed into those.”

Volunteering is another way to build community connections. Mentoring programs also allow leaders to rub shoulders while sharing knowledge with rising entrepreneurs and providing valuable connections to the startup community.

Grassroots networking groups are increasing in the region, and Graham said many of these offer chances for businesspeople to share challenges and solutions while building professional relationships that often lead to friendships.

“Asheville and Western North Carolina have given me incredible opportunities to build a great network,” Graham said. “As a professional, you have to push yourself a little bit to make connections with people that may be in a different realm of life than you, but these relationships can work really well.”

Determining the goal and focus of business networking, especially as a woman, can be a crucial part of building a network that can share challenges and solve problems together. 

“If you are looking for friends, be honest about that,” Graham said. “If you’re looking to build your network and level-up your business, be honest about that, too. Get out of your comfort zone and out of the places where you’re the most comfortable. You have to surround yourself with people who are a step ahead of you to help give you wisdom, and be open to accepting that. Finding that circle of people who can push you to do better and be better is really important."