How Saturated Markets Open Doors For Multi-Hyphenate Women To Create Their Own Lanes

For years, many professional women were advised to specialize: pick a lane and stay in it. Specialization builds credibility and may even result in higher compensation due to subject-matter expertise. Over the years, however, the multi-hyphenate woman has been on the rise. 

The term multi-hyphenate was initially used to describe an entertainer with many roles, i.e., what Hollywood refers to as a triple-threat. Today, it has been expanded to encompass the broader workforce, including anyone who holds multiple professions or skills simultaneously: such as the 9-to-5er who is also a writer and/or freelancer and/or educator and/or artist and/or entrepreneur and/or designer (and/or on and on and on). 

While specialization can lead to career stagnation, increased vulnerability to career disruptions, and for some, boredom, those who are multi-hyphenate benefit from career flexibility, diversified income, and increased skills, as skills learned in one role often enhance the skills learned in another. 

One of the biggest perks of being multi-hyphenate, however, is how uniquely it positions individuals to thrive in the saturated markets of today. 

In economic terms, market saturation refers to the point when the demand for a product or service is maximized. Some of the most saturated industries include: e-commerce, real estate, coaching and consulting, freelancing and creative services, beauty and wellness, and content creation. 

Breaking into a saturated market can be challenging, especially because it can feel as if everyone else is attempting to do the same. However, a crowded market signals demand, demand signals customers, and therefore, opportunity. 

The key is differentiation. 

For some, this may mean focusing on a specific niche and becoming the best at it, but for multi-hyphenate women the unique combination of their broad skills, experiences, and perspectives is precisely what will make them not only stand out, but break new ground, in such a market. 

Multi-hyphenate women can create their own lanes in saturated spaces by…

1. Leveraging Their Diverse Experience and Network

Multi-hyphenate women bring a breadth of experience to the table. This varied background often results in a strong, well-rounded portfolio that appeals to a wide range of potential clients and customers.

In addition, those who wear many hats often interact with diverse people, industries, and communities. As such, multi-hyphenate women tend to build robust networks over time that they can tap into for support, collaboration, and referrals.

2. Defining Their Unique Value Proposition

While the experiences of multi-hyphenate women may be broad, their unique value proposition should be explicitly defined. Fortunately, because they possess a wide range of skills and experiences, they have numerous ways to tailor and articulate their value in a way that aligns with the specific role, client, or opportunity at hand.

Pro Tip: Innovation often occurs at the intersection of different skill sets. For example: How can your finance and writing expertise be combined? How can your technology and baking experience be merged? 

3. Expanding Opportunities and Income Streams

Multi-faceted skill sets mean one is not limited to a single job title, or even a single industry. Multi-hyphenate women may qualify for more opportunities than someone with a highly specialized background. This flexibility can also create diverse revenue streams, reducing dependence on a single source of income. 

4. Using Their Unique Stories to Make Meaningful Connections 

Because people connect with authentic stories, the unique journey of a multi-hyphenate may resonate with a broader audience, thus facilitating more meaningful relationships. 

In addition, the varied perceptions gained through a multi-hyphenate journey allow such individuals to more readily connect ideas, people, and opportunities across industries. This expanded point of view can be extremely valuable to businesses seeking fresh solutions. After all, even saturated markets have unmet needs.

5. Identifying Gaps Others May Overlook

The vast vantage point of a multi-hyphenate can help them recognize gaps that highly specialized professionals may not immediately see. Multi-hyphenates may be better equipped to identify underserved audiences, opportunities for specialized services, or entirely new ways of delivering value.

Being multi-hyphenate creates space for innovation. It is an opportunity, not a barrier. It allows individuals to draw from different experiences, industries, and disciplines to develop solutions that are both unique and impactful. 

That is the competitive advantage of a multi-hyphenate woman.