By Pam Cytron | The Founders Arena
For decades, discussions about progress in business have centered on metrics—diversity targets, funding gaps, and hiring numbers. But what if we’ve been measuring success the wrong way?
Throughout my career, I’ve challenged the status quo, and I’ll be honest—it hasn’t always been popular. People get uncomfortable when you question established narratives. But here’s my take: the real issue isn’t just about access or representation. It’s about how we build trust, form relationships, and redefine success beyond traditional metrics.
Reframing Success: Why the Right Comparisons Matter
A widely quoted statistic says women receive only 2% of venture capital funding. That number is accurate—but does it tell the whole story?
Women entrepreneurs often take different paths to growth, relying on personal savings, grants, crowdfunding, and small business loans rather than VC funding. If fewer women apply for VC funding, their share will naturally be lower—but that doesn’t mean they aren’t thriving. We just aren’t measuring success in a way that reflects their reality.
Consider these numbers:
- From 2019 to 2023, women-owned businesses grew by 94.3% in firms, 252.8% in employment, and 82.0% in revenue—outpacing male-owned businesses.
- Female-founded businesses outperform male-founded ones by 63% in ROI when they do secure funding.
Success isn’t just about fitting into traditional systems—it’s about leveraging strengths, making strategic choices, and building trust in the right spaces.
The Role of Relationships in Business
Looking back at the biggest deals I’ve closed, one pattern stands out: relationships drive opportunity.
My first million-dollar deal happened in my early 20s, selling financial technology to General American (later AIG). At the time, I didn’t fully understand why that sale worked. Years later, after analyzing my biggest deals, I saw a common thread—many of the decision-makers I worked with had daughters or sisters.
This wasn’t about favoritism. It was about human connection. When people relate to you on a personal level, it shifts the dynamic. It doesn’t hand you success, but it opens doors—and in business, that’s half the battle.
Women, take note: Build real relationships. Learn what matters to the people you work with. And most importantly, do this for other women, too.
Fixing the Real Issue: How Women Treat Each Other
This is an uncomfortable truth, but it needs to be said: women haven’t always been great at supporting each other.
Many of us were socialized to see other women as competition rather than allies. Too often, we never unlearn that mindset. But I see change. The young women I mentor today don’t assume they’re at a disadvantage. They advocate for themselves unapologetically. And what excites me most? They challenge women like me who had to fight through old systems.
That’s a sign of progress—not just for women, but for how business relationships evolve.
Beyond Metrics: A New Approach to Trust and Success
If we keep measuring progress the same way, we’ll keep seeing the same results. But the most meaningful shifts in business aren’t just about funding rounds or boardroom statistics. They’re about who we trust, who we uplift, and how we build relationships that create real opportunities.
The story isn’t just about obstacles—it’s about strategy, resilience, and rewriting the rules. And that’s the conversation we should be having—not just in March, but every day.
Pamela Cytron is President of The Founders Arena, a renowned Technology Entrepreneur and recipient of numerous awards for her outstanding contributions to the industry. With a keen understanding of tracking technologies and a flair for developing innovative strategies, Pam has consistently met the demands of the industry while driving revenue growth. Her impressive career started early, making her first #fintech sale at the age of 19. Pam possesses a unique and visionary mind that effortlessly connects people, problems, and technology, leading to exceptional results in her endeavors.
