March marks Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on March 8. It’s a time to honor trailblazers of the past and recognize the women going boldly into the future—especially women business owners who are driving innovation, strengthening communities and creating opportunities.
The 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report found that women-owned businesses in the United States are growing faster than men-owned businesses. The report also found that women-owned businesses employ millions and generate billions of dollars in revenue.
- Women-owned businesses make up 39.1% of all U.S. businesses.
- Women-owned businesses employ 12.2 million people.
- Women-owned businesses generate $2.7 trillion in revenue.
- The number of women-owned businesses nearly doubled the rate of men-owned businesses between 2019 and 2023.
But what makes women-owned businesses truly powerful are the stories behind them.
Women-Owned Businesses Inspire Others
Starting and growing a business is never easy. For many women, it means overcoming barriers like lacking the ability to self-fund due to making less money than men in corporate jobs and taking time out for caregiving for children, as well as facing stereotypes of what jobs women should or shouldn’t do.
But it’s precisely these challenges that make their stories so compelling—and so important to share.
When women entrepreneurs tell the truth about what it takes to build something from the ground up, they inspire a sense of “if she can, I can.” They shine a light on the real experience of being a woman in business—complete with wins, losses, pivots and comebacks. And that kind of transparency doesn’t just uplift individuals. It shifts culture. It rewrites what leadership looks like.
Representation Creates Opportunity
Women’s stories are also essential because representation matters. When you see someone who looks like you, comes from where you come from, or faces the same hurdles you’ve faced succeed, it changes what feels possible for your own life. That’s why women in business need to show up—not just in their work, but by telling their stories.
Your journey as a business owner could be the blueprint someone else needs. Your challenges might help another navigate her own. Despite any odds you may have faced to get there, your success will make others want to align with you, work with you, or buy from you.
I personally have faced challenges in building my business, but I continue because I know I was given the gift of words and storytelling for a reason. And I’m determined to help other people find theirs.
How to Share Your Story
If you’re a woman in business, this month is the perfect time to reflect on the story only you can tell. Ask yourself:
- Why did you start your business?
- What obstacles did you face, and how did you overcome them?
- What impact are you hoping to make?
And then—share it. Post it on social media. Write a blog. Pitch your story to your local news outlet. Tell it in networking rooms. Your story is not just a marketing tool. It’s a legacy.
If you need help finding and sharing your story, I’ve got you! Contact me and let’s talk about it!