Women business leaders reflect on achievements

November 21, 2008 - Women-owned or led businesses dot more of the landscape in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island region then ever before, but the hurdles they have overcome to make it to the top can still be daunting. And don't think for a minute that those challenges end once they reach the top.

Jenna Schmidt, owner of Artifex Technology Consulting, Inc. of Lincoln, R.I., recalled a meeting with dozens of venture capitalists worth many billions of dollars, and she, the only female in the room-was the one making the presentation.

Stressful? Stereotypes in that room?

"It's a matter of constantly proving yourself, showing them that you can do it. That's how you build this business. These were successful men that were evaluating everything I did. You can tell they were trying hard not to talk down to me. I had to really show them that day and win their trust," said Schmidt.

Since she founded it in 2002, Schmidt's business has grown from 1 to 25 employees and in 2007 was named one of the "Top Woman Owned Businesses" in Rhode Island by Diversity Business.

"In order to build your business, male or female, you need to gain that trust. You can see they may not take you seriously at first, but you have to make them," she said.

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Women business leaders reflect on achievements