Entrepreneurship: It’s Not Just a Woman’s Work

By Mary Kay Rossi on October 25th, 2012

Filed under: Planning, Women Entrepreneurs

If there have ever been questions as to women’s place at the head of the table, today’s female business owners are putting them to rest. Studies released this month, which also happens to be National Women’s Small Business Month, shed light on female entrepreneurs’ accomplishments as well as the issues they face. Like any business, women-run operations face obstacles such as securing capital and growing employee numbers. Even still, the National Association of the Self-Employed reports that women make up 42% of self-employed companies, and their business ventures have grown at twice the rate of male-owned businesses (44% vs. 22% respectively, from 1997-2007 ), according to reports from the Economics and Statistics Administration and the U.S. Census Bureau. Talk about girl power.

As proof, some of the fastest-growing businesses have women seated at the table – if not, at the head of it, according to Business Insider. Some notable ones include:

• Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX, the privately owned space exploration company. Shotwell began in 2002 as VP of business development, and has since continued to climb the company’s ranks.
• Cella Irvine, CEO of Vibrant Media, who has helped the business grow to become a $300 million advertising company.
• Julia Hartz, president and co-founder of Eventbrite, a ticket seller business worth more than $350 million. She previously held positions at MTV and FX Networks.
• Jessica Herrin, founder and CEO of Stella & Dot, a jewelry selling startup worth $400 million. She founded her first business at the age of 24.
• Wendi Sturgis, executive VP of Yext, a New York City-based location software company. She’s also held top positions at Oracle and Right Media/Yahoo!

Feeling inspired yet?

There are many tools out there to help female entrepreneurs get going. Get started with information from BuildMyBiz, including women’s business resources, opportunities for women-owned companies, and women’s business centers. SCORE also has adedicated resource section for women entrepreneurs to help them start and grow their businesses.