Notes on Cowgirls
When I was working my way through college I hit a crossroads waiting tables - not making squat at Texas Roadhouse following a bad run in fine dining, I wanted better money faster. With my father's blessing, I bought 2 padded bras and started working at Hooter's. I really loved those knee-highs and athletic shorts. Believe it or not, they hired me when I reported my favorite author was David Sedaris, and the managers there were some of the most reputable I encountered while working the service industry. Sometimes corporate isn't so seedy.
Along my way, I encountered other managers - little men with big egos who would flirt, favor, and manipulate females to coerce a certain environment. Anyone who's worked the service industry (and naturally dated others with similar lifestyles) knows how incestuous it can be. We were young gals working in a bar, never thought much of it.
That's usually how it goes, not recognizing trauma until being faced with some stark dose of normalcy, saying HOLY SHIT where have I been! Also the point when people either check out (GO BACK TO SLEEP!) or pony-up for some heavy lifting.
I thought I was giving up on my dreams taking this job in corporate America, when now, over a decade later, I'm able to reflect on some divine accomplishments. How, after working with ~80% female colleagues over that time - we're all generally high performing, professional, and supportive of one another's growth - I’ve been able to find purpose in my career while personal space to develop and thrive alongside. If only we'd have more accountability to reflect an appropriate distribution of female executives commensurate with our workforce population, and equity in pay, then HR might really be onto something!
As a female entrepreneur, I'm back in the Wild West. A potential client offered just last week to pay me with lunch. In WHAT Universe would that offer be extended to a man (Note: cis-/hetero-identifying)? Not only am I afraid to do business with this person, but I'm also afraid to DATE. Way to stay on top, Big Boy.
A harmless offer, perhaps; but I'm not running a brothel. If I were selling my Company, it would be publicly posted in the Million$. Otherwise, a date is a date, and business propositions should be direct and professional. Maybe I would be more successful another way, that's not my fucking business.
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