How many female business owners do you know?
For me, my circle of women entrepreneurs has grown over the years. Some I’ve met in my community while volunteering at my daughter’s preschool. While others I’ve met at business conferences on the other side of the country.
Some of my closest business peers and mentors I’ve met in a mastermind.
You’ve likely built a network of entrepreneurial friends over the years, too.
But did you know women-owned businesses are driving economic growth in the United States? They represent 42% of all businesses — nearly 13 million — employing 9.4 million workers and generating revenue of $1.9 trillion. [American Express]
Impressive, right?
And we know there are challenges and barriers to starting a business—as women, we’ve felt them. So let’s take a closer look at opportunities and obstacles female entrepreneurs experience.
The State of Women-Owned Businesses
I love talking with female entrepreneurs. Learning about their story, their successes and failures, the intricacies of their personal brand, and what’s right around the corner.
And during Women’s History Month, I wanted to take a deep dive into the numbers, actual statistics, to see how female entrepreneurs are performing in this current climate.
So let’s get started…
88% of businesses owned by women generate less than $100,000 a year in revenue. [WBENC]
It’s wonderful to see the number of female entrepreneurs growing, but it’s clear the majority of women—almost 9 out of 10—are running micro-businesses. And there’s many reasons, big reasons like access to funding, additional responsibilities like caring for their children (or parents) and gender bias.
The glass ceiling is real and it’s something we need to be aware of. By purchasing and supporting other women-owned businesses, you’re helping someone get one step closer to better results and more sales.
48% of women in business lack competent advisors to guide them through entrepreneurship. [Forbes]
A support system is essential in life… and business. Almost half of the females in business lack that support. A shocking realization.
There is some good news, though. If you don’t have a mentor in real life, podcasts and social media can be powerful tools as you explore new ideas and strategies. By learning from women—women who are a few steps ahead of you—you’ll experience success even faster.
One in five firms with revenue of $1 million or more is woman-owned. [NAWBO]
While it’s not every entrepreneur’s goal to hit the million dollar mark, it can certainly be a driver for many. And it’s a bit alarming to learn that only 20% of businesses to achieve that milestone are female-owned.
As we move forward, it’s my hope that women-owned businesses earn more in revenue and this statistic continues to shift in a positive direction.
Women entrepreneurs in the United States rank their happiness at nearly three times that of women who are not entrepreneurs or established business owners. [Inc.]
Okay, this is a statistic I love to see. The freedom and sense of accomplishment we feel as entrepreneurs can be tangible. Knowing you’re making an impact—on your own terms—is empowering.
It impacts all areas of our lives.
And these statistics help us understand where we are. And they give me hope.
As you continue to grow, I’m here to encourage you.
That’s why I’m highlighting eleven women in business—real powerhouses and risk-takers—who have taken an idea and turned it into massive success.
These innovators are inspiring—they’re best-sellers on QVC, former elite athletes, corporate women turned entrepreneurs, and seven-figure earners. 🙌
And today, I’m shining a spotlight on them.
So go on, absorb the highs and lows of their careers, the pivotal moments and big results as you craft your own roadmap to success.
Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Eleven Women in Business
1 Elyse Archer, founder of She Sells
“The more I surrender who I thought I needed to be, the more abundance, love and happiness comes into my life.”
Elyse made the leap from the corporate world to successful entrepreneur while reconnecting with her body for healing. And a hint, it’s through surrender.
Her advice is a real game-changer. She’s super vulnerable and transparent.
Tune in if: you’re going through (or wanting!) a big change. 💫
2 Fabienne Raphael, Entrepreneur & Coach
“I feel like many people have their genius but don’t know how to make it their business.”
Fabienne is a former elite athlete and creator of the DREAM Method. And she learns by doing. She shares how you can find your genius and increased focus.
She’s full of fire and will motivate the heck out of you.
Tune in if: you’re gearing up to tackle something new. 💥
3 Ann Sieg, founder and CEO of E-Commerce Business School
“Each time you do something in business you have to evaluate what works and what you’ll do differently next time.”
With a bit of refocus and determination, Ann took a floundering business (one that was barely bringing in $2,000 a month) to a powerhouse business earning north of $90,000 a month in a very, very short time.
And her story started as a brand new mom dabbling in network marketing. Talk about growth.
Tune in if: you’re an entrepreneur in growth-mode. 💹
4 Wendy Covey, CEO of TREW Marketing
“The tighter you niche your business the more traction you can get in marketing and sales.”
Wendy shares how a long commute with two little ones at home led her to launch a business. And how to be innovative when finding a niche (hint: look for a segment that isn’t being served). By doing so, your business will grow to new heights.
And she’s a female in tech, so there’s that.
Tune in if: you are wanting to launch or refine your business. 🚀
5 Kate Erickson, Heartbeat at EOFire.com
“We want to be in-tune and intentional with how we run our business and how we want to live our lives.”
Kate works closely with her significant other. She shares how they’ve structured their roles to grow their successful podcast and why her and her business (and romantic) partner’s strengths compliment each other.
She co-founded the seven-figure business and is super transparent.
Tune in if: you want lifestyle and financial freedom. 🔥
6 Lisa Deangelis, director for the Center of Collaborative Leadership at the University of Massachusetts
“How you deal with a crisis is consistent with who you are as a person [or an organization].”
Lisa is all about embracing your uniqueness and showing up authentically during really hard times. She’s an expert at getting out of your own way, especially during times of crisis.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, Lisa had to take a new look at her organization and reframed the entire business to better serve leaders.
Tune in if: you’ve made (or need to make!) a major pivot in your business. 🎯
7 Aji Oliyide, PMO Mission Lead at Google
“Having your head down just isn’t good enough anymore. You have to be able to speak about yourself for people to recognize you.”
Aji thrives on leading goal-driven teams and optimizing processes. She shares how she went from Mechanical Engineer to Management Consulting. And what working for one of the most progressive companies in the world has taught her.
She’ll teach you why speaking about yourself is part of your job and why consulting is all about the perception of you and your personal brand.
Tune in if: you’re a world traveler or want to leverage an advanced business degree. 🎓
8 Hilary Johnson, Founder of Hatch Tribe
“When there’s no margin in our lives, our businesses feel very tight.”
Hilary helps women move from overwhelm to confident CEO. And will show you how to create more space within your business. In this episode, she shares the most significant shift that many people must move through to level up their business.
Her goal is to help women entrepreneurs be wildly successful in business and build a thriving six-figure company.
Tune in if: you’re an entrepreneur who wants a powerful and purposeful business. 💪
9 Ishveen Anand, Founder & CEO of OpenSponsorship
“We’ve simplified the sponsorship process to be more like recruitment.”
Ishveen shares how she became a sports agent and how her innovative spirit helped her launch a disruptive brand in the sports world. And she’s a pro at shattering glass ceilings. Her company approaches things differently and leverages technology to stand out from the crowd.
She’s even worked with brands like Anheuser Busch, Verizon, Draftkings, Draymond Green, Rob Gronkowski, and Todd Gurley.
Tune in if: you’re a true innovator, disruptor, and outside-the-box thinker. 🧠
10 Katie Richardson, Co-Founder of Puj
“When you know who you are, you gain so much clarity in life.”
Katie shares how she infused her values into her business and how her experience in product design—and as a mom—led to her designing a new infant bathtub. It was a slow go… she talks about being in the development stage for years and pulls back the curtain on her very first trade show in Las Vegas.
In just one year in business, she brought in over $1 million in revenue.
Tune in if: you have a product idea that you want to turn it into a global success. 🌎
11 Monique Wilsondebriano, Co-Founder of the Charleston Burger Company
“At night, when I’m at peace, I listen, and I know exactly where to go.”
Monique shares how she overcame the struggles of her childhood and early decisions— expecting her second child and being on welfare at the age of 21. And how a second-chance at life led her to starting a business with her husband. Now, she’s running an empire. Her passion, positivity, and a genuine love for entrepreneurship are tangible.
She even talks candidly about launching her food product on QVC and being a guest on Good Morning America.
Tune in if: you’re an entrepreneur who wants to build a business empire. 💰
An all-star lineup, right?! I’m super proud of each of them and appreciate the real, in-depth podcast conversations we’ve had about what it takes to run and grow a business.
Speaking of, if one—or more—of these women resonated with you, click the link to listen to our recent conversation. In it, she’ll go even deeper into her story and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
And while you’re at it, download a few episodes. That way you can grow your business at the same time you hit the treadmill, speed clean your kitchen, or take off on your next road trip.
Because together, we’ll shatter more glass ceilings.
Additional Reading
Take Your Launch to the Next Level: Expert Advice
Top Secrets to Grow Your Personal Brand in 2022
About The Author
Rachel Gogos is a multi-passionate entrepreneur with a strong desire to help people by creating strong personal brands and businesses. She’s personally launched dozens of books, e-products, and services; and hundreds of products and services with her clients. She started her career at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, where she helped create the look and feel for the organization’s first website.
Today, in her current role running brandiD, Rachel channels over 15 years of marketing and communications experience into each and every website for brandiD’s clients.
And check out her book, Build Your Brand: The Distinctive Guide to Soul-Based Marketing. It will help you uncover your personal brand.
