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Don't feel guilty - this is called playing the system. A friend of mine is listed as the owner of a contracting business that her husband actually owns and runs. This enables them to get government contracts for being a female, minority-owned business.

How does being female give you an advantage? Do you mean something like you sell cosmetics aimed at women and think your customers would not want to buy them from a man?

You don't sound like you're female and I doubt you have a small business. If you've taken any money you don't feel you deserve, you should give it back.

Your not a female business owner.

A real female business owner wouldn’t feel guilty about being advantaged.

No.

You're not a female business owner.

I disagree with advantaging business women over business men, but it’s not your fault these policies exist. You shouldn’t feel guilty about taking advantage of opportunities being given to you. It’s not your fault men who own businesses are not provided the same opportunities.