Women in business? Oh yeah, they’re taking over. From launching billion-dollar tech startups to redefining fashion, women entrepreneurs are shaking up industries left and right. And guess what? They’re doing it with style, grit, and a whole lot of innovation. Just look at Whitney Wolfe Herd, who turned Bumble into a dating empire, or Sara Blakely, who built Spanx from $5,000 and a dream.
And here’s the thing—success isn’t just about great ideas. It’s about knowing what works. That’s where Plerdy steps in. Whether it’s tracking user behavior, boosting conversion rates, or optimizing website UX, Plerdy helps businesses (big and small) make smarter moves. Because let’s be real, even the most brilliant entrepreneur needs data to back up their genius.
Women are proving they can dominate any field—tech, media, finance, beauty. They’re not just breaking the glass ceiling; they’re shattering it into a million pieces. Ready to meet the women who are rewriting the rules of success? Let’s dive in.
The Rise of Women Entrepreneurs
Breaking Barriers in Business
Being a woman entrepreneur used to feel like running uphill—with weights on your ankles. For decades, women struggled to get funding, had fewer opportunities in leadership, and were often underestimated. Investors, for the most part, didn’t see a woman-led business as a strong investment. But let’s be honest, those investors were very, very wrong.
Fast-forward to today, and women entrepreneurs are building some of the world’s most successful brands. Sara Blakely transformed $5,000 into Spanx, a billion-dollar empire. Oprah Winfrey, once told she wasn’t fit for TV, created a media business worth $2.8 billion. The numbers prove the shift—back in 1972, only 4.6% of businesses in the U.S. were owned by women. Now? 42%. That’s almost half of all businesses, generating $2 trillion in revenue every year.
Money is still a challenge. Even now, women entrepreneurs receive just 17% of VC funding, but that’s a big jump from nearly zero a few decades ago. It’s not perfect, but it’s happening. More investors are backing women-led businesses, and that means bigger opportunities, more innovation, and more women rewriting the rules of success.
Growth of Women-Owned Businesses Worldwide
Look beyond the U.S., and the numbers are just as impressive. Women entrepreneurs in China, the UK, and Canada are driving massive change. Some of the biggest startup hubs—San Francisco, Beijing, London—are filled with women-led businesses making serious waves.
And these aren’t just small boutique brands. More than 50% of women-owned businesses in the U.S. are in high-growth industries like fintech, AI, and healthcare. Melanie Perkins took Canva from a university project to a $26 billion company. Anne Wojcicki’s 23andMe didn’t just disrupt the DNA testing market—it changed how people understand their health.
The World Economic Forum predicts that women entrepreneurs could add $5 trillion to the global economy in the next decade. More businesses. More jobs. More industries led by women. The business world isn’t just changing—it’s evolving, and women entrepreneurs are leading the way.
Tech Innovators and Disruptors
Whitney Wolfe Herd – Revolutionizing Online Dating
Imagine launching a business that changes how millions of people meet. That’s exactly what Whitney Wolfe Herd, a woman entrepreneur, did with Bumble. After leaving Tinder (a company she helped build), she decided dating apps needed something different—more control for women. So, she made it happen.
Bumble flipped the script: only women can start conversations. This small but powerful change made it one of the most successful dating apps in the world. By 2021, Whitney Wolfe Herd became the world’s youngest woman entrepreneur to take a company public, hitting a $13 billion valuation. Today, Bumble isn’t just about dating; it’s expanding into business networking and friendships.
But Wolfe Herd isn’t just about making money. She’s a loud advocate for women in tech and fights against online harassment. In an industry where women entrepreneurs are still underrepresented, she proves they’re not just participating—they’re leading.
Anne Wojcicki – Pioneering Consumer Genetics
Tech and health don’t always mix smoothly. But Anne Wojcicki, a woman entrepreneur with a vision, saw the potential to bring personal genetics into everyday life. She co-founded 23andMe, making DNA testing accessible to millions. Instead of waiting for doctors to tell you about your health risks, you could get insights from a simple home test. Game-changing.
Of course, the journey wasn’t easy. The biotech business is tough, full of regulations and skeptics. In 2013, the FDA even shut down 23andMe’s health reports. But Wojcicki, a woman entrepreneur who doesn’t give up, fought back. By 2015, 23andMe was FDA-approved, and today, it’s valued at over $3.5 billion.
Her impact? 23andMe didn’t just disrupt an industry—it forced people to rethink healthcare. Now, companies worldwide are following her lead, proving that a woman entrepreneur can shake up even the most traditional fields.
Melanie Perkins – Democratizing Design with Canva
Ever tried using Photoshop and felt like you needed a degree in rocket science? Melanie Perkins, a woman entrepreneur from Australia, thought the same. So, she created Canva—a design tool so easy that anyone could use it, no experience needed.
Her journey wasn’t overnight success. Investors weren’t convinced that a woman entrepreneur with a university startup could take on giants like Adobe. But Perkins kept pushing. By 2024, Canva was worth $26 billion, making her one of the most successful women in business today.
What’s even cooler? Perkins didn’t just build a company—she built a business that helps people. Canva’s free version gives millions access to design tools. Whether it’s for small business owners, students, or women entrepreneurs launching their brands, Canva is proof that good tech should be available to everyone.
The takeaway? Women entrepreneurs aren’t just participating in tech. They’re rewriting the rules, breaking barriers, and proving that innovation isn’t about gender—it’s about great ideas.
Media and Entertainment Moguls
Oprah Winfrey – The Media Empire Builder
Being a woman entrepreneur in media isn’t easy. But Oprah Winfrey? She made it look effortless. From a TV host to a business powerhouse, she built an empire. What started as The Oprah Winfrey Show turned into something much bigger—OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network), a media brand shaping culture, business, and empowerment.
She didn’t stop at talk shows. Winfrey became a businesswoman, producer, philanthropist, and even a shareholder in Weight Watchers. Her investments? Smart. Her influence? Even bigger. When Oprah talks, people listen—her book recommendations turn authors into bestsellers overnight.
And her impact on women entrepreneurs? Huge. She proves that storytelling isn’t just entertainment—it’s business. Her career opened doors for women in media, proving that they can lead, own, and build billion-dollar brands.
Arianna Huffington – Digital Journalism Pioneer
News used to be old-school. Newspapers. TV reports. Then came Arianna Huffington, a woman entrepreneur who flipped the industry. She co-founded The Huffington Post in 2005, proving that digital media could be just as powerful as traditional journalism.
The success? Instant. By 2011, HuffPost was so influential that AOL bought it for $315 million. But Huffington wasn’t done. She shifted gears into wellness, founding Thrive Global, a business focused on mental health and productivity. From breaking news to burnout recovery—her career is all about changing industries.
Her message to women entrepreneurs? Think ahead. Whether in media or wellness, she saw trends before the world did. And that’s how you disrupt a business.
Rihanna – From Pop Star to Business Mogul
Rihanna isn’t just a singer—she’s a woman entrepreneur who redefined beauty and fashion. When she launched Fenty Beauty, she did what no one else did: real inclusivity. Foundation shades for all skin tones. No “one-size-fits-all” beauty. The result? $100 million in sales in the first 40 days.
Then came Savage X Fenty, her lingerie brand. Again, she broke the rules—offering sizes and styles that fit real people. Today, her brands are worth over $2.8 billion, proving that a woman entrepreneur can dominate both music and business.
And the best part? Rihanna isn’t just making money. She’s changing industries, showing that a businesswoman can set new standards. No limits, no rules—just smart moves.
Leaders in Fashion and Beauty
Sara Blakely – Reinventing Shapewear with Spanx
Starting a business with just $5,000? Sounds crazy. But Sara Blakely—a true woman entrepreneur—did exactly that. She turned an idea into Spanx, a shapewear empire that changed how women feel about their bodies. No investors, no fancy marketing team—just one businesswoman hustling to get her product into the right hands.
Blakely believed that women entrepreneurs should have the power to innovate without needing massive funding. She personally pitched Spanx to Neiman Marcus, and from there, the brand exploded. Today, it’s worth over $1 billion.
But she didn’t stop at fashion. Blakely invests in other women entrepreneurs through her foundation, helping businesswomen get the capital they need. She proves that smart ideas, confidence, and a little risk-taking can change an entire industry.
Emily Weiss – Digital Transformation of Beauty with Glossier
Imagine starting a beauty business from a blog. That’s what Emily Weiss did with Glossier. What started as Into The Gloss, a beauty blog, quickly turned into a billion-dollar woman entrepreneur success story.
Glossier broke all the rules:
- No traditional ads, just social media buzz.
- Direct-to-consumer model, skipping big retailers.
- Built a community first, launched products second.
And the numbers don’t lie—Glossier hit a $1.8 billion valuation in just a few years. Weiss proved that a woman entrepreneur doesn’t need to follow the old-school business playbook. Social media + smart branding = global success.
Vera Wang – Redefining Luxury Fashion
Not every woman entrepreneur starts young. Vera Wang was 40 when she launched her first bridal collection. Now? She’s one of the biggest names in luxury fashion.
Before stepping into business, Wang was a Vogue editor and worked at Ralph Lauren. But she saw a gap in the market—modern, high-end bridal wear. Today, her brand is more than just wedding dresses. It’s perfumes, jewelry, and home décor.
Her secret? Reinvention. Wang proves that in business, age doesn’t matter. What matters is vision, strategy, and the courage to take a leap.
Women in Finance and Business Services
Anne Boden – Reinventing Banking with Starling Bank
Imagine launching a business in an industry dominated by giant corporations. That’s exactly what Anne Boden did with Starling Bank. As a woman entrepreneur, she stepped into fintech and shook up the traditional banking system.
Boden didn’t just create another business—she built one of the UK’s first fully digital banks. No brick-and-mortar branches, just a smooth, customer-first banking experience straight from your phone. Starling Bank grew fast, handling £10 billion in deposits and winning Best British Bank multiple times.
What’s her secret? Boden understood what big banks ignored: people want banking without hassle. No hidden fees, no long wait times—just a smart, flexible, and tech-driven service. She proved that a woman entrepreneur can challenge the status quo and win.
Zhang Xin – Transforming Beijing’s Skyline
From a factory worker making pennies to a billionaire entrepreneur shaping China’s most iconic skyscrapers? That’s the story of Zhang Xin, co-founder of SOHO China.
Zhang didn’t come from money. She worked her way up, studied economics, and co-built one of China’s largest real estate companies. Today, SOHO China owns over $10 billion in properties, with modern buildings reshaping Beijing and Shanghai.
Her business strategy? Think big, act bigger. While others played it safe, she pushed for sleek, futuristic architecture, collaborating with famous architects like Zaha Hadid. Now, Zhang isn’t just a successful businesswoman—she’s a symbol of how women entrepreneurs can redefine entire industries.
Julie Sweet – Leading Accenture into the Future
Big consulting firms? Mostly run by men. But Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture, flipped the script. She now leads one of the world’s biggest consulting companies, managing over 700,000 employees across 120+ countries.
Sweet isn’t just about corporate success. She’s a driving force in digital transformation, pushing businesses to adopt AI, cloud computing, and automation. Under her leadership, Accenture’s revenue soared past $60 billion.
Her journey proves that a woman entrepreneur doesn’t just break barriers—she sets new standards for leadership in business.
Philanthropy and Social Impact
Janice Bryant Howroyd – Empowering Workforce Diversity
Starting a business is tough. Building a billion-dollar company as a Black woman entrepreneur? That’s next level. Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder of ActOne Group, did exactly that. Her company, now worth over $1 billion, focuses on workforce solutions, helping businesses find top talent while championing diversity.
But she’s not just about business—she’s about impact. Howroyd has spent years advocating for women entrepreneurs, pushing for equal opportunities in hiring, leadership, and pay. She also funds education programs, helping young women, especially from underrepresented backgrounds, get the skills they need to succeed in business.
Her belief? Diversity isn’t just a checkbox. It’s what makes companies thrive. And with her influence, she’s proving that a woman entrepreneur can lead, inspire, and change the game.
Lisa Price – Building a Beauty Empire for All Women
Ever tried launching a beauty brand from your kitchen? Lisa Price did. What started as a side hustle—mixing homemade creams and oils—turned into Carol’s Daughter, a multi-million-dollar business that changed the beauty industry.
Her secret? She saw what others ignored. Big brands weren’t catering to Black women or embracing diverse beauty needs. Price stepped in, offering natural hair and skincare products that actually worked. Even Oprah took notice, giving Carol’s Daughter a huge spotlight.
In 2014, L’Oréal acquired Carol’s Daughter, but Price stayed involved, ensuring the brand kept its authentic mission—celebrating all women and their unique beauty. Her success proves that when a woman entrepreneur builds a business with passion and purpose, it can shake up an entire industry.
Lessons from Successful Women Entrepreneurs
Common Traits of Successful Female Entrepreneurs
What makes a woman entrepreneur thrive in business? No magic tricks, just a mix of resilience, innovation, and leadership. The best women entrepreneurs don’t crumble under pressure—they adapt, pivot, and push forward. Take Sara Blakely, the billionaire behind Spanx. She started with just $5,000 in savings and an idea no one believed in. Now? Her brand dominates the shapewear industry.
Another key trait? Innovation. Melanie Perkins, the entrepreneur behind Canva, saw the design industry was too complicated. So, she built a business that made it easy for everyone, not just professionals. Her company is now worth over $25 billion. Women in business succeed because they don’t follow the rules—they create new ones.
Key Challenges and How They Overcame Them
Let’s be real. Being a woman entrepreneur isn’t always smooth sailing. Funding gaps? Huge issue. Less than 3% of VC money goes to female founders. But women find a way—Oprah Winfrey built her media empire without investors controlling her vision.
Gender bias? Still exists. Many women entrepreneurs report being underestimated. Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder of Bumble, flipped the script by creating a dating app where women make the first move—now it’s a billion-dollar company.
The key lesson? Women in business don’t wait for doors to open—they break them down.
Conclusion
Success in business isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about pushing forward when things get tough. These women entrepreneurs didn’t just build businesses; they changed entire industries. From Whitney Wolfe Herd making dating apps safer for women to Melanie Perkins revolutionizing design with Canva, they proved that innovation comes from those who dare to challenge the norm.
Their stories inspire. Not just for the wins, but for the struggles they overcame—funding gaps, bias, competition. Every aspiring entrepreneur can take a lesson: keep going, take risks, and build something that matters. Because the next big business success story? It could be yours.