Revisiting Women's Entrepreneurship: Breaking Stereotypes and Seizing Opportunities

Globally, one in six women reported an intention to start a business in the near future. The highest entrepreneurial intention rates were observed in low-income countries, where approximately 28% of women expressed intentions to start a business. 

Nearly one in every three entrepreneurs running established businesses is a woman. For start-up activity, there are .80 women for every 1 man. Globally, women were more likely than men to be solopreneurs (1.47 women solopreneurs for every 1 man).

These were among the findings presented in the GEM 2022/2023 Women’s Entrepreneurship report, entitled Challenging Bias and Stereotypes.

If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you do so now because women play a very important role in driving economic growth.

Note:  The report is sponsored by Cartier Women’s Initiative (CWI), the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership (F&E CWEL) at Babson College, the School of Management (HEG-FR) in Fribourg, Switzerland and the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi, housed in the World Bank Group).

Progressive Black Women Entrepreneurs Are Breaking Barriers

According to J.P. Morgan, Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs, and there's no end in sight.  They are making a significant impact and shaping the world as we move through it.

For every Black woman who starts a business, a barrier is broken. An impressive 50,000-plus Black women are innovating in the United States — but not without the uphill battle of fighting bank funding denials, limited access to capital and systemic racism and sexism.

Despite the challenges, Black women are bringing their products and services to the market.

Here are four Black woman-owned businesses breaking barriers and sharing insights on business.

Advocate For Yourself

Four women entrepreneurs are leading the way in their respective fields, encouraging other women to advocate for themselves and, in some cases, helping the environment and breaking barriers in the process.

A couple of inspiring quotes by them:

• “Release all judgment and dream big."
• “You are already worthy. You deserve to have the same valuations as your male founder counterparts.”
• “Our main message is to carve out space to do the things that support us in our daily lives – the cornerstones of being, eating and resting."
• “Don’t be afraid to be your most authentic self, no matter how scary it may seem."

Check out their stories here.