Trailblazing American Women Entrepreneurs

Long before Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey, as far back as the late colonial era, these successful business women were breaking glass ceilings.

Starting a new business has rarely been an easy endeavor. But throughout much of American history, female entrepreneurs faced especially daunting obstacles. They couldn’t open bank accounts in their own names, obtain a loan—or even vote. Still, some tapped family connections, sussed out unique business opportunities and beat the considerable odds. The businesses these women launched—some of which survived for a century or longer—turned their founders into role models for more contemporary American moguls like Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart.

Read the entire article at History.

How She Went Global® Podcast with Julie Meyer

©2023 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global.  All rights reserved.

Listen to the How She Went Global® podcast hosted by Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® and learn what it takes to build a global consultancy.  Your business may be local (domestic only) now but by listening to the podcast, you'll aspire to take your business global.

In this episode, Julie Meyer, co-CEO and founder of Eat Well Global, talks about how she attracts new business, who her global clients are, how she gets paid, how B-Corp. status and Certified Woman-Owned Business help with growth, and offers her superpower mantra.

The podcast is brought to the world by companies who unwaveringly support women entrepreneurs:  Bluedog Design and Associated Bank.

Contributions That Women Have Made to American Society

In recent years, women-owned small businesses have been on the rise, making up 49 percent of all businesses in 2019.  They are outpacing overall business growth (9 percent) from 2014 to 2019 at 21 percent.

While female entrepreneurship is on the rise, the disparities – especially for minority women – within the American workforce are still stark when compared to male and male and female-owned businesses.

Learn more about gender and SBA loan statistics, grants for women, and startup funding tips here.

Every month, not just Women's History Month in March, should be dedicated to highlighting the contributions that women have made to American society, including in the finance and business sector.

Simplify Your Life With the New Women Founded, Women Owned and Women-Led Cartdrop

Jessica Choice/Atlanta Mom

I have a running list of items to buy at the store just about every week.  It goes like this:

• Strawberries
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Oatmeal
• Orange Essence Prunes
• Blueberries
• Wine
• Mandarin oranges
• Apples
• Milk
• Laundry detergent
• Whole grain bread
• Orange juice
• Fresh mozzarella cheese
• Salmon
• Dryer sheets
• Quinoa 

Yes, if you analyze the food items I've listed I'm basically a health fanatic.  But this post is not about me.  It's about a fantastic new app I'm into called cartdrop that's been created by two game-changing Chicago-based female entrepreneurs, Michelle Hayward and Shannon Murphy who are out to help you shop in the moment of need, anywhere you are, and never forget again (like me with the wine and prunes :-).  

Let's face it.  We're all super busy – whether you are a mom, business owner or top exec – and anything that makes our life simpler and far more efficient, I'm all in. That's why I love cartdrop!  I can finally get rid of endless pieces of paper on my kitchen counter top and not lose my mind looking in 5 different jackets for the most recent shopping list. Because I just pull out what I need on my cartdrop.  Easy peasy.

And this article sums up a lot of cartdrop's great features.  Check it out to get the nitty gritty details.

Have I convinced you this is an intelligent shopping platform? Then jump to your app store and download cartdrop. You can use it with Kroger stores across the country plus Mariano's, Ralphs, Pick 'n Save, Dillons and more.  Join thousands of people who have learned about cartdrop and can't stay away from it.

I'm jazzed by cartdrop!  Trust you will be, too.  Let's all work together to support these two amazing female entrepreneurs!   

Funding for Black Women Entrepreneurs

Dr. Cameka Smith, founder and CEO of The BOSS Network, announces the return of her organization’s 2nd annual BOSS Impact Fund. The Fund focuses on investing in Black women led businesses and preparing these entrepreneurs to build scalable, growth aggressive companies. Its goal is to raise investment funding for 500+ Black women entrepreneurs over the next three years.

Learn more about $500K in funding for black women entrepreneurs.

Making Success Possible For Women Entrepreneurs

Black women are entering entrepreneurship at rates that have not been seen before. Corporate America as well as government and philanthropic entities have taken note of this trend, and there is more support available for women founders than before. In general, women-owned businesses are on the rise, and much of America’s current startup boom is due to women starting businesses.

How can we collectively make even more women entrepreneurs successful?  

Maija Renko, professor and Coleman Chair of Entrepreneurship in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship at DePaul University's Richard H. Driehaus College of Business, says "Appreciation for women entrepreneurs starts by talking about the very things their businesses provide—not focusing on old systems and structures that exclude them. Chicago can be the city that leads this conversation and innovates solutions that make success possible for even more women entrepreneurs."

Read the entire Opinion piece in Crain's Chicago Business:  How to Support Women Entrepreneurs

Related to women entrepreneurs, support and Chicago, next week we unveil a game changing new app invented and launched by two Chicago women entrepreneurs.  Stay tuned because we are about to make your shopping experience a breeze via the #cartdropmethod.

MLK: Remember Not Just a Man, But a Leader, a Believer and a High Achiever

During MLK weekend, let us remember not just a man but a leader, a believer, as well as a high achiever. Some say dreams come true, and Dr King’s “I Have A Dream” speech’s words ring loud in our bodies, minds, and spirits to this day as we look around in our home, our lives, our communities, and our hearts.

Read more here.  Also, visit, The White House:  A Proclamation on Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, 2023.

Business Start-Ups Get a Leg Up from University of Chicago and Tulane University

The University of Chicago and Tulane University have both recently announced they are establishing new funding mechanisms to provide investment capital that will support business start-ups.

The University of Chicago is setting aside $25 million from its endowment to invest in business startups led by faculty, students, staff and alumni. The $25 million is intended for companies that are raising Series A funding.

At Tulane University, the focus of the new start-up fund is not restricted to university faculty or staff. Instead, its Innovation Institute, founded last year, will dedicate a $10 million startup fund for New Orleans-area women and minority entrepreneurs, two groups that have historically had to overcome obstacles to their ability to attract the new capital necessary to start businesses.

Read:  Tulane, University of Chicago Allocate Millions to Support New Start-Ups

Joy To Your World

©2022 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

How Can You Be a Successful Entrepreneur?

Digging deeper into exploring the qualities of top-tier female CEOs, this female entrepreneur recognized a pattern that was the foundation for sustainable success.  It boils down to 5 traits women must have or develop to succeed.

1. Build a team 
2. Find a mentor 
3. Think differently 
4. Understand your strengths 
5. Be confident 

Read the entire article here.

Buy From Women Business Owners This Holiday Season

Sample an eclectic mix of gifts sourced and made by women business owners and end up completing your gift-giving season swiftly. This is how you can do your part to support women.  And don't forget to write positive reviews when the situation calls for it.

Women Shining a Light On the Most Urgent Issues of Our Time

At the end of every year, the Financial Times (FT) Weekend Magazine dedicates a special issue to celebrating the women from around the world who, over the past year, have stood out in their fields and sparked positive change. 

The 2022 list is now available, with 25 women disrupters profiled by a host of female writers including FT editors, actors, sportswomen, novelists, politicians and entrepreneurs. 

But Women of 2022 would not be complete without a crucial list — the one compiled by the FT’s loyal readers.  Here it is.

Hey Women Entrepreneurs, You've Got This!

Whether you’re thinking about starting a business of your own, or you just need a little extra inspiration in your professional life, this roundup of the best business advice for women should do the trick!

And if you are thinking about taking your business global, don't forget to visit Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®.

Let's Put Women's Entrepreneurship Into Overdrive

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently launched the Women’s Entrepreneurship (WE) initiative to “inspire women and tap their potential to meaningfully increase equity, job creation, and economic prosperity.” The initiative is a collaborative effort with the United States Department of Commerce. 

WE will focus on connecting women with each other, support networks, and funding sources. Additionally, the USPTO launched a new online hub that provides important information to aspiring women entrepreneurs. The website includes information on how to secure intellectual property rights and secure funding.

Let's put women's entrepreneurship into overdrive.  Go for it!

Crack the Code, Find Your People, Build Your Confidence, and Discover Success

Running your own business can be unpredictable and stressful. By utilizing these tips and always remembering that everyone's path is different, women business owners can alleviate some of the stress of entrepreneurship and find balance while also managing a financially successful business.

5 Ways to Create More Equity for Women

The gender gap at companies may be narrowing, but there’s still a lot of daylight. Now, there is data to back up what most women (and many men) know at an anecdotal level.

An analysis of employee survey data shows that at many companies, women have less autonomy and control than men. Here are five ways to create more equity.

Develop a Mindset Driven By Curiosity to Explore the World in Different Ways

Babson Professor Heidi Neck’s new 2022 course is Ideate, based in part on her 2020 book, The IDEATE Method: Identifying High-Potential Entrepreneurial Ideas. She describes the class as a mixture of creativity, idea generation, and the entrepreneurial mindset. The output of the course is 100 high-potential entrepreneurial ideas per student.

It’s not about a deep vetting of those ideas,” she added. It’s also not about feasibility analysis, minimum viable product, and design thinking. That’s for Babson’s other courses to explore. “This class is about developing a mindset driven by curiosity to explore the world in different ways. And, from that, using creativity to take what they learned in that exploration to create new ideas, and then building courage to share those ideas and take action under conditions of uncertainty.”

Neck has built a successful and influential career on identifying ideas, taking action, and teaching entrepreneurially.  She has done such a good job for 21 years at Babson that she has been recognized as one of the very best entrepreneurship educators.

Learn more about Neck, her class and what's so special about it.

Women Entrepreneurs Pursue Success Despite Unique Challenges

Despite unique challenges – global pandemic, gender issues, and lack of capital, for example –  many women are passionate about realizing their dream of starting a business, and results of a new AARP survey show the COVID-19 pandemic did not stop them.

The results revealed that “want” rather than “need” most often motivated women’s decisions to become entrepreneurs. 

AARP research reflects a need for additional support and training for women entrepreneurs to grow their business. Respondents said they were looking for resources on marketing (24%), recruiting and hiring staff (11%), and financing (10%), and these areas were where women were most likely to have sought out training.

How We Can Turn the Tide To Create Gender Parity in Entrepreneurship

Countless studies have shown the many benefits that women entrepreneurs bring to the table. 

In the UK alone, for example, up to £250 billion of new value could be added to the economy if women launched and scaled new businesses at the same rate as British men, generating jobs and unlocking new opportunities for many.

Women should be at the forefront of the entrepreneurial scene. The flexibility that comes with self-employment – the autonomy to choose how and which work and family roles to prioritize– makes being your own boss an attractive proposition for many women.

Despite entrepreneurial opportunity being present all over the world, not everyone has the same access to resources or the right support system to take an idea forward. The reality is, women feel this impact more than men.

How do you turn the tide to create gender parity in entrepreneurship?  To turn the tide for female entrepreneurs, women need to have access to the right resources (for instance, capital) and receive the right support right from the outset. And this can only be achieved through public and private sector collaboration.

Read the entire article here.

It's Time For Meaningful Change For Women Entrepreneurs

Women should be empowered to nurture their entrepreneurial aspirations within the traditional corporate structure.  How do you do this?  

Consider women's entrepreneurial interests and provide purposeful support – even if that's outside your organization. This could take the form of providing grants or time off for side hustles, more flexible work schedules to foster autonomy or a shift to deliverable-oriented performance structures.

Supporting women, particularly women of color, at all levels of your organization helps to ensure that you're not wasting the talent you've invested in.

Read on to learn how to inspire and support women entrepreneurs.