Entrepreneurship has been a hot topic in the last couple of years. Many articles and books have been written about it, and even an entire university curriculum has been built around this subject and success stories concerning people who went from “zero to hero” have infiltrated our news feeds.
Businesses owned by women are now on the fast track, and it has never been a better time to be a female entrepreneur. Statistics in a report published by Womenable and American Express OPEN say that the number of women-owned firms in the US only continues to climb, and it is estimated to surpass 9.4 million enterprises, which is 30 percent of all businesses in the country.
It is nothing new that women have a hard time working in a male-dominated corporate world, where they are constantly facing challenges like being underpaid, passed over for promotions, and even faced with sexism. This is why, in many cases, women turn to freelance and start their businesses. This offers them a chance to escape and a chance for success.
Everyone has ideas, but these inspiring female entrepreneurs have turned theirs into realities. Let’s have a look at five female entrepreneurs who should be on your radar, who are empowered, and who may inspire you to turn your ideas into reality.
Danielle Arps
Danielle Arps is the founder of Dani Arps, an NYC-based interior design company that specializes in residential and commercial spaces and startups. Danielle graduated from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, one of the most prestigious design schools, where she received her Master of Science in Interior Design. Danielle has become known as the NYC tech scene’s interior designer and her design company has graced the premises of some high-profile startup spaces, including Newscred, Kitchensurfing, and Fueled.
Cara Alwill Leyba
NYC-based Master Life Coach and author, Cara Alwill Leyba, is encouraging women to create “Champagne Life” for themselves. This means that they should live effervescently, making happiness their priority and celebrating themselves every day.
Cara is running an international boutique coaching practice, where she is working with bored and burnt-out women who know that they are destined to do more in life. Through support, loving guidance, and an expert perspective, Cara is empowering women to face their fears and create careers and lifestyles that will be vibrant, authentic, and inspiring.
Adrienne Bosh
Adrienne Bosh founded Sparkle and Shine Darling in Miami, Florida, which is a Parisian-inspired boutique and a space where, as Adrienne says, “women can shop, have fun and be inspired”.
This boutique and online shop contain carefully selected novelties and knick-knacks, and Adrienne has even created her line of Sparkle & Shine products which include mugs, stationary and more. Adrienne is very passionate about woman empowerment, and support for mothers and she wants to make the world a better and glitzier place.
Suann Song
Suann Song is a graphic designer who founded Appointed in Washington DC, an American-made brand with carefully designed desktop products that give the utility a luxurious look. Suann had done an exhaustive and unsuccessful search when she tried to find refined and well-made desktop products that are manufactured in the US, so she decided to create her own.
Suann’s selection of hand-crafted desktop tools are polished and practical and, most importantly, prototyped to perfection. Her products are designed to elevate the whole work experience. Suann is also the owner of SIMPLE SONG Design, which is now a nationally recognized creative studio.
Sarah and Emily Hamilton
Sarah and Emily are twin sisters who founded Bellabox, a subscription-based beauty box that delivers samples of beauty products right to your doorstep. Their business is based in Melbourne and has 15 staff members. BellaBox currently has over 40,000 members and, believe it or not, they raised $7 million from investors.
Support is something that matters for female entrepreneurs who are on the rise and it can help them to succeed like Sarah and Emily, who have successfully expanded their business to China.
These are just a few examples of aspiring female entrepreneurs who had a dream and worked hard on making it happen. Use their stories as inspiration, because everything is possible with the right amount of desire and guidance. If you have been storing ideas in your head, do not be afraid to try to make them happen, just be sure about who you are and what you can do, and you will be able to deal with every challenge that may come your way.
