When I started my business 28 years ago, women business owners were few and far between. I know why. It’s hard work, it’s risky, it’s time-consuming and it requires personal sacrifice – not just for yourself, but for your family.

It’s not for the faint of heart, but more and more women are stepping up to the plate. Today nearly 60 percent of new Michigan businesses are started by women, according to the Michigan Women’s Commission. I love that statistic.

But another statistic – this one from Inforum’s 2015 Michigan Women’s Leadership Report – is not so encouraging: Women serve on the corporate boards of only 11.5 percent of Michigan’s top 100 public companies. And one-third of those businesses have no women at all in top officer roles or on the board.

All businesses that count on female customers should take a serious look in the mirror, recognize the lack of estrogen in the room and actively seek and welcome women to the board room. It might take hard work, it might be risky, but it will definitely be worth it.

You can catch these statistics and more on “Michigan Matters.”