How Women Are Setting New Standards of Success in These 6 Growing Sectors
Female business leaders may have once been an anomaly, but not anymore. Times have changed, and it’s now common not only to see women gain momentum in the entrepreneurial environment but also to excel in what they are doing. Interestingly, the global trend indicates that the number of female entrepreneurs is on the rise.
The primary driving motivations for building something from the ground up are flexibility and autonomy for many women entrepreneurs; however, the financial element is also important, as more than half of new female business owners aim to create a financial asset with their ventures. Although women still face challenges like gender biases and funding gaps, they are building empires in sectors that have been traditionally dominated by men and beyond, breaking barriers and demonstrating that a woman can do everything that a man can do – and sometimes, even better. Let’s explore the 6 industries where women are making impressive strides.
Health and Wellness
Many female-led businesses have emerged in the health and wellness industry, particularly in areas such as mental health, fitness, holistic healing, and nutrition, with women creating brands that prioritise balance and self-care. Rather than focusing solely on metrics like profit, these female leaders are embracing a purpose-driven business, leveraging their lived experiences to make a difference in the world through personalised solutions.
Historically, the wellness sector has been male-dominated, with financial gain often prioritised over people's well-being. However, things are shifting now in the industry, largely due to women founders who are incorporating inclusivity, empathy, and transparency into their business models. Furthermore, their brands are built on connection, unlike soulless corporations, offering a safe space where women empower women and evolve together.
Finance and Investing
Women are changing the game in finance by launching businesses that focus on wealth management, financial literacy, and investment education. Female entrepreneurs are increasingly entering the venture capital landscape, ensuring that women-led small businesses can get the necessary funding and mentorship to pursue their dreams. Notably, women control approximately 32% of the world's wealth, but only 14% of venture capital partners are represented by females, highlighting the importance of women's participation in financial decision-making.
Interestingly, the differences between men and women are striking when it comes to investing, with women taking a more conservative approach yet achieving demonstrable success. Rather than act impulsively, they prefer to wait out for market volatility and opt for low-risk investments. According to research, despite this conservatism, women have consistently outperformed men by 0,4% every year, demonstrating their power in the investing field.
Technology and Digital Services
The tech industry has one of the largest gender pay gaps, yet there are now more women entering it and launching businesses in AI, app development, fintech, and SaaS. Think about Bumble, which Whitney Wolfe Herd founded. This dating app is dedicated to empowering women, allowing them to make the first move and promoting a culture of safety and respect. By building the app like this, Whitney started a fight against patriarchy, and very quickly, Bumble became a roaring dating sensation.
Many women are also shining in their roles as UX/UI designers and tech consultants. As tech consultants, for instance, women leaders are keeping up with the latest trends and innovations, supporting organisations in making informed decisions to meet goals and enhance efficiency, such as utilising a free email service designed for organisations and built with the best security features in mind. Even more notable is the impact they have on digital marketing, revolutionising social media, content marketing, SEO, and data-driven campaigns. Female leaders bring emotional intelligence, creativity, and analytical prowess to the field, driving business growth. It’s no secret that success in marketing is tied to how well you understand your audience, and since women make up a significant portion of digital consumers, female leaders can bring invaluable insights into the market, optimising campaigns and ensuring brands resonate authentically with their target audiences.
E-commerce
For women entrepreneurs, E-commerce is a game-changer, enabling them to launch businesses with reduced overhead costs. Platforms such as Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon have made it straightforward to create successful brands in areas like home décor, fashion, beauty, and personalised goods, setting the standard for consumer engagement.
In this field, community-building and storytelling are the secret ingredients for success, and women are proving it. While still facing challenges such as funding access, female leaders are overcoming hurdles through resilience and creativity, making e-commerce a more dynamic and inclusive space.
Coaching and Online Education
The demand for online education and coaching has been increasing, with women leading the way in this sector. Female entrepreneurs are pursuing their dreams of becoming personal development coaches or teaching financial literacy through memberships, courses, or mentorship programs, which is now easier than ever thanks to the Internet and all the opportunities it provides.
Platforms like Kajabi and Teachable have enabled women to establish scalable online businesses, empowering others while building wealth. Female leaders are expected to play a significant role in the expansion of the online education sector in the future, especially as they stand out in these fields by designing learning environments that cater to different learning preferences and needs, which encourages equity in digital education. At the same time, online group coaching programs offer women a supportive community space where they can build confidence and learn coping strategies, to name a few, making a tremendous difference.
Sustainable and Ethical Businesses
With sustainability becoming increasingly important, women entrepreneurs are making an impact by launching brands in food, fashion, and home goods while adopting eco-friendly practices. Sustainable clothing brands are setting an example by encouraging conscious consumerism, allowing them to build a profitable business while also taking care of the planet.
Furthermore, they are developing new eco-friendly materials and leveraging biotechnology to create green fabrics, while also encouraging the reuse and recycling of garments by adopting circular economy principles and upcycling. Not only that, but they are also utilising technologies such as blockchain to monitor production processes, pushing for enhanced transparency in the fashion supply chain, driven by consumer demand for more information.
The Bottom Line
Women entrepreneurs are rewriting the rules of business across sectors once dominated by men. From empowering users with the latest technology to leading the charge in sustainable fashion, they are demonstrating that it’s possible to achieve success while staying true to one's values and remaining ethical and inclusive.