Women of every race, ethnicity and background face enough challenges everyday, but women entrepreneurs have even more obstacles to jump through when competing in a male-dominated business world. The good news is, there are ways to overcome these challenges. From building self-confidence to acquiring the necessary funding, here is a list of the four most common challenges businesswomen face and how to overcome them.

1. Professional Women Aren’t Taken Seriously

Unfortunately, the number one challenge that female entrepreneurs face is that people in the professional world don’t take them seriously. Rather than seeing them as driven entrepreneurs, some people think women should stick to being mothers, housewives or find a less male-dominated career path. But according to the National Association of Women Business Owners, women own almost 10 million firms in the U.S. alone. The proof is in the numbers, and in the continuing success of women across the nation. Remember, you don’t have to worry about what other people think. As long as you have a strong support system and passion for what you do, you are sure to reach your business goals.

2. People Think Women Are Too Emotional

The recurring theme seems to be that people don’t think women are cut out for the cut-throat business world. They think women are unfit to be business owners because they are hormonal or make decisions based on emotions instead of logic. However, this simply not true and we have gender bias issues to blame for that one. These stereotypes of women portray women as weak and fragile, while portraying men as strong and fierce. What people don’t realize is that it has been scientifically proven that even just one woman can benefit a company by bringing unique problem solving and relationship building skills to the table.

3. Powerful Women Are Portrayed as the Villain

On the other hand, some people think that business women are too hardcore. Women leaders in business are often seen as bossy, cold-blooded — and other not-so-nice terms. Their male counterparts however are described as passionate, aggressive and competitive. This creates an impossible double-standard and only furthers the male vs. female competition in the workplace. The good news is that not all companies encourage this kind of environment. Big companies like Amway make it easy for women (and men alike) to become a successful entrepreneurs without having to jump over gender-related obstacles along the way.

4. Limited Access to Funding

Another challenge businesswomen face is less access to funding for their businesses than men. Many investors (predominantly male) see female entrepreneurs as “cute,” instead of profitable. Investors want to invest in entrepreneurs who are more like them, since they can empathize with and respect male entrepreneurs. However, you can use this strategy to your advantage too. Instead of seeking out male investors, seek out female investors and business owners who have been in your shoes and can share their knowledge with you. So don’t give up on yourself or your business. There are plenty of women entrepreneurs just like you and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Owning a successful business will always have its challenge whether they be gender-related or not. But with the right resources and positive attitude, your business is destined for success. Amidst the adversity, women will always come out on top!