Meet the COO of one of the largest women-owned businesses in New York City

The number of women-owned firms in the U.S. continues to climb – it is now estimated that 30 percent of all businesses in the country are women-owned businesses (WOBs).

In order for a company to qualify as a women-owned business, more than 51 percent of the business must be owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women. The Small Business Association provides resources to help women entrepreneurs launch new businesses, grow their businesses and compete in the global marketplace. According to them, women-owned firms now employ over 7.9 million workers (excluding owners). Therefore, they provide one in seven jobs among privately-owned businesses. Today, some of the largest and most popular companies were founded and are owned by women.

Meadows Office Interiors, for example, is a women-owned business, and their leadership is a testament to the benefits of working for a WOB.

Founded in 1967, Meadows Office Interiors is one of the largest women-owned businesses in the United States. With over seventy employees, whose owners and chief operators are women, this cooperation designs dynamic office spaces for some of the largest companies in the world, like LinkedIn, Google, and Capital One.

Today, Meadows Office Interiors not only serves as a furniture dealership and design firm, but as an emblem of women empowerment in the workplace. They are committed to not only creating workplaces, but to strengthening the community of female professionals.

For Marissa Allen, the COO of Meadows Office Interiors, being a women-owned business is about “so much more than statistics.”

“Owning and operating a business as a woman is very empowering. In our world, which is still dominated by men, it makes me extremely proud to own my own business and compete at a high level. I feel it sets an example for other women.

“As the mother of a daughter, I have always led by example. I feel it is extremely important to be independent whether you own your own business or not. This is the third business I have owned in my lifetime. I hope to teach my daughter that she should always be a leader, even if she is a minority or faces opposition.”

When hiring new employees, Marissa Allen observed that the WOB status attracts more potential female employees than male employees. “When I interview potential female employees, they always comment about it in a positive way and I think my current female employees appreciate it. I don’t know if it effects men in a positive or negative way, but interestingly enough, they never bring it up,” she said.

There are clear benefits associated with working at a WOB, like Meadows Office Interiors. Many corporations and state and federal agencies that work with WOBs receive internal company credits or even tax credits for working with “minority-owned businesses,” which includes women-owned businesses. This group also includes ethnic minorities and veterans.

The reason for such mandates is twofold. First, contracting with minority-owned businesses is important to customers because ‘corporate America’ is aware that they can’t expect minorities to do business with them unless they do business with minorities. And, secondly, it is important because the government needs to ensure that all companies have the opportunity to participate in contracts that are procured with state and federal dollars.”

Ms. Allen notes, “[my employees are] very proud and are very empowered by the fact that Meadows is a WOB. I think the men who work for us are less focused on it; some are a bit threatened by it, but like anything else, it all boils down to the personality of the individual.” Working at a women-owned business, especially in today’s society, is quite special: there is a sense of pride and empowerment that comes along with this title.

Lastly, Marissa offered a piece of advice for young, female professionals: “I would say above all else, be true to yourself. Regardless of the fact that you are a woman, it is important not to lose sight of who you are. Women need to work harder and juggle more than a man doing the same job. Yes, woman have made tremendous progress in the professional world but we are still a long way from being truly equal.

“If you stay true to yourself and your goals, the inequality doesn’t become your focus.”