Breaking Barriers: The Rise of Women Entrepreneurs in 2025

Women are transforming entrepreneurship by redefining what success looks like. In 2024, women owned more than 13 million businesses in the U.S., representing 39.1% of all companies. These businesses generate nearly $3 trillion in revenue and employ over 12.2 million people, according to Wells Fargo Women-Owned Business Report. While the numbers are impressive, they only tell part of the story. Because behind each statistic is a woman who chose to carve her own path, often in the face of real barriers.

Why Women Entrepreneurs Are Starting Businesses at Record Rates

Women are leading the charge in entrepreneurship for a variety of reasons. For many, it’s about flexibility. Choosing when and how to work. For others, it's about purpose. Women are building businesses that align with their values, reflect their lived experiences, and allow them to create generational wealth.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a major turning point. As women disproportionately left traditional jobs to manage caregiving or health concerns, many began launching service-based businesses, consulting firms, wellness brands, and creative agencies, often from their own living rooms.

Industries like health and wellness, education, coaching, marketing, and e-commerce are experiencing strong growth among women-led startups. These are spaces that value empathy, communication, and community, which are qualities many women have brought to their work for generations.

The Invisible Barriers

But the path isn’t without roadblocks. It's been reported that women-owned businesses are significantly less likely to secure funding compared to those owned by men. On average, they start with less capital and rely more heavily on personal savings and credit cards to get going.

This funding gap reflects deeper systemic biases. Traditional funding spaces, from venture capitalists to banks, have long overlooked women entrepreneurs, especially women of color.

Other challenges include:

• Burnout from wearing all the hats: CEO, admin, marketer, bookkeeper. Women in the workforce also tend to have far more responsibilities at home than their male counterparts.

• Time poverty, especially prevalent for women with caregiving responsibilities.

• Underrepresentation in leadership and mentorship networks.

These hurdles can hold back growth and even discourage brilliant entrepreneurs from scaling or continuing.

Why Support Matters:

Supporting women entrepreneurs means advancing equity while fueling economic growth, innovation, and community strength. When women have access to funding, mentorship, and networks, they build resilient businesses that often prioritize inclusive hiring, community impact, and sustainable practices. Backing women-led ventures helps close the gender wealth gap, diversifies industries, and ensures that a broader range of voices and ideas shape our economic future.

Support can take many forms: funding women-led startups through grants or impact investing, shopping from women-owned businesses, mentoring emerging founders, amplifying their stories on social media, or advocating for policies that increase access to capital and affordable childcare. Nonprofits like the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) offer valuable certification programs, networking opportunities, and educational resources that help women entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. Every action, big or small, helps level the playing field and ensures that more women not only launch but thrive.

Final Thoughts

The rise of women entrepreneurs marks a true transformation, not a passing trend. With every new business launched, a new version of leadership takes root. And with the right tools, community, and support, there’s no limit to how high we can grow.

Sources:

• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

• Wells Fargo Women-Owned Business Report