The UK recently hosted a Women In Business Conference 2008 that saw great attendance. Without getting into politics of gender, men and women perceive risk differently. It is for this reason that I would imagine business women in the developed world would want to get together and put their similar minds to discuss different matters concerning doing business. In some ground-breaking studies, Exeter academics Michelle Ryan and Alex Haslam have been investigating what they call the “glass cliff” phenomenon, which shows that women are more likely to accept high risk opportunities than their male counterparts.

In part, they say, it may be that women just don’t see the risk. Whatever it is, the female gender can use its girl power to build a successful business. I am not talking of an upper hand over male gender; I am talking about the unique inner drive in the female gender to see the glass half full and not half empty; the unique ability to begin again from ground zero.

In my quest for highly motivating stories, I would like to share a true story with you. Liz Taylor was a divorced, poor, single mother when she spotted an opportunity to run events in the Northwest of England. “No one else was doing it,” she says. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. The Holiday Inn had just taken over the Midland hotel, I did the event having never done something like that before and then they gave me two other events.”

Taylor’s company, the Taylor Lynn Corporation, now turns over £3.5 million on the events side but has diversified into other areas such as table linen and lighting and production. “The linen business started because in the early days, I’d make 15 lime green, crushed velvet tablecloths and we thought if we’re making them, other people must want to hire them,” Taylor says.

She revealed that the company has events booked until 2010 and she’s about to hire a new staff member. The company is also increasing the amount of work it’s doing in Europe. This is true girl power, and I know we have many in our country, only they have not been recorded.

What am I saying? The female gender has a great capacity to be what they desire to become. Research has shown that the ratio of loan defaulters by gender is lower in women borrowers than men borrowers. Use this girl power to grow your business. Research has also shown that women make better managers than the males – enhance your business using this girl power.

Two words of wisdom to the female gender in business: Keep you eye on the bank account and don’t be afraid to pull the plug – it doesn’t mean you are a failure. Second, get the family invested in your success – you can’t fight the world and come home to no solace, but being careful to wear both hats well and appropriately.