Know Where to Seek Small Business Loans, Grants and Other Opportunities

Whether you’re starting a new small business or looking to grow an existing one, finding funding can be a challenge for businesses of all sizes. If you’re looking for a small business loan, grant or other opportunities, check out these resources.

If you’re not sure of the difference between a loan and a grant, check out the explainer here. You can also learn more about all funding options in our small business financing guide here.

Shop From Woman-Owned Violet Flame Chocolate This Holiday Season

©2024 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®.  All rights reserved.

This holiday season, consider buying your holiday gifts from other women business owners.  Read the inspiring interview with Katrina Markoff, Founder of Violet Flame Chocolate.  Check out her company here.

A Growth Mindset Leads to Leadership for Women

How do fixed versus growth mindsets affect women’s ability to see themselves as leaders in the workplace?  That's the question asked of  Julia Lee Cunningham and Sue Ashford from the Ross School of Business and here's Ashford's answer.

As discussed in Ashford’s recent book, The Power of Flexing, leadership comes with many challenges. The skills involved are new for emerging leaders, and the challenges only get more complex as leaders rise in the organizational ranks. Having a growth mindset in which setbacks are considered learning experiences rather than indictments of skill helps leaders to stay “in the game,” continually trying to be more of a leader and to both face and cope with those challenges. A growth mindset helps leaders (and all people) feel empowered when experiencing challenges and setbacks.  

By broadening how leadership is defined and valued, organizations could create more inclusive pathways to leadership roles.

How Women-led Rural Enterprises Grow in India

To identify mechanisms that would help India-based women-led enterprises grow to their full potential, the World Bank carried out a study in six Indian states. 

The study showed that more than 85 percent of women-owned, rural, non-farm enterprises are concentrated in five sub-sectors: retail trade, manufacturing of apparel, food products, food and beverage services and the handloom sector.

Learn more about targeted policies for broader support to India for promoting rural women’s entrepreneurship.

Tune In to the How She Went Global® podcast

©2024 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®.  All rights reserved.

At the How She Went Global® podcast, successful women entrepreneurs and business owners share stories about going global, and offer new ways to take on the world, stay inspired and have fun! They join host Laurel Delaney every month.

Tune in to the latest episode with inventor, patent holder, author, keynoter and globalist Julie Austin when she discusses, "Revolutionizing Hydration:  The Story Behind the Patented Hands-Free Water Bottle." Subscribe while you are at it so you never miss an episode.

Powered by Premier Sponsor VISA and Supporting Sponsor Associated Bank.  Produced by Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®. 

Committed to Empowering Diverse and Black Women-Owned Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Committed to empowering diverse and Black women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, Wells Fargo took center stage at the Woman Evolve Conference 2024 to highlight the importance of unlocking growth for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Women are ready to learn, connect, and grow. It was a testament to Wells Fargo’s commitment to ensuring that diverse businesses have access to capital, financial education, mentorship, and community. 

The economic potential of women entrepreneurs is vast. The latest statistics show that women-owned businesses contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, generating $2.7 trillion in revenue and employing 12.2 million workers. 

As women-owned businesses continue to grow, it’s essential to recognize the progress made, particularly among Black women, during challenging times.

Celebrating Contributions of Women Entrepreneurs to the U.S. Economy

After October's Women’s Small Business Month—we pause to celebrate the contributions of women entrepreneurs to the U.S. economy. From gender biases to limited access to capital, the challenges women business owners face are many.

Structural changes are needed to address many of these barriers, but on a personal level, remembering your why, investing in continuous learning, protecting your brand, extending grace, and reframing fear may provide fuel to push forward.  

Here are 5 tips for aspiring women entrepreneurs.  Let's level the playing field.

Sara Blakely Has Always Been Her Own Bellwether

Spanx Founder Sara Blakely has always been her own bellwether. Blakely launched Sneex, a “luxury hybrid stiletto” which retails between $395 and $595.  

“I own stilettos and I own sneakers already, but I don’t own the combination of the two. As a consumer I wanted the combination of the two,” Blakely says. For her, the shoe is the intermediary between dressy and casual. (She cites Sneex as ideal for the classic jeans-and-a-nice-top outfit formula.) 

She goes on to say, “I designed them to be able to wear every day, but 100% women will embrace them and wear them formally. Women are already wearing regular sneakers in formalwear, so I think that that is going to happen for sure."

Full details here.

Illinois Women Business Owners Who Take on the World

(L-R)  Tami Lange and Amy Mills

(L-R)  Yvette Laugier, Valarie King-Bailey, Amy Mill & Diamond Young

©Global Small Business Forum 2024, Chicago, 10/18/24

I [Laurel Delaney] just finished hosting the 9th Annual Global Small Business Forum in Chicago which is all about showcasing fantastic business owners who rock the world with their international expansion efforts.  At the forum, each panelist shared their story – challenges and successes – for what it takes to go beyond borders with a business.

Discover these 4 women business owners.  Shop their products and use their services.  

1. Tami Lange, Founder, Save the Girls
2. Amy Mills, President, 17th Street Barbecue
3. Yvette Laugier, Founder, YL Advisory
4. Valarie King-Bailey, CEO, OnShore Technology Group

Above are just a few of the photos from the event capturing some of the women entrepreneurs who have escaped from corporate America and run their own successful businesses. 👏

The event was sponsored by Associated Bank (Diamond Young is Assistant VP, FX at AB) and hosted by Foley & Lardner.

Observations From India: Functions of a Woman Entrepreneur

BIG news :-)!  Women entrepreneurs are not different from the concept of entrepreneur, all the concept characteristics and functions are applicable to women entrepreneurs. 

The role of women in family and society is changing very fast – thank goodness. The days when women were typically expected to look after household activities have changed in various social aspects like equal treatment to women, no discrimination between males and females allowing for equal opportunities to work in any field.  Slowly these changes have empowered woman to become more competitive and also encouraged her to start a business.

The article was written in 2017.  It also includes some traits of women entrepreneurs (additional articles).  Different perspective due to India origin.  Very academic.  

Faith-Filled Women Business Owners

According to the Minority Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network (MCWEN), women of color account for 47 percent of all women-owned businesses — around 5.8 million in total — employing over 2.2 million people and generating $386.6 billion in revenue.

More and more, entrepreneurs are stepping into the business world, driven not just by a passion for their products and services but also by a deep sense of faith. These “faith-filled” business owners see their work as a means to serve their communities, live out their beliefs and build a legacy for their families.

Learn about a few here.

Women Entrepreneurs Hit a Funding Wall

When Oriana Papin-Zoghbi was looking for venture capital funding to develop a new type of test for ovarian cancer, she found her pitch did best with women investors. “They were able to resonate with the problem we are trying to solve,” she said.

Avestria Ventures, a fund focused on women-founded start-ups, led an early investment of $5 million in Ms. Papin-Zoghbi’s company, AOA Dx. And two years later, Good Growth Capital, a firm founded by women, led an additional $17 million investment.

Raising the next round of funds is expected to be difficult.  It's not the first time that women entrepreneurs hit a funding wall.

Read the entire article at The New York Times (might require subscription).

Grants for American Women Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses

GrantWatch is celebrating American women entrepreneurs! 

Women in leadership bring unique strengths to the table like fostering collaboration and driving innovation. Decades of research show that when women lead, businesses are profitable and teams are collaborative. 

They inspire greater fairness and dedication and create environments where everyone can thrive. Despite the obstacles they face, women continue to break barriers and rise in leadership roles across politics, education, and corporate sectors.

Here is a listing of currently available GrantWatch Women and Small Business grants.

Women Redefine the Entrepreneurial Sphere

Over the past few decades, we have witnessed a remarkable surge in the presence and influence of women entrepreneurs. Women have been redefining the entrepreneurial sphere, breaking through barriers, shattering stereotypes and making significant strides in various industries and sectors worldwide.

With the changing times and increasing awareness, the 21st century has become an era of empowerment for women, fostering an environment that encourages and supports their entrepreneurial aspirations. 

Discover how women-led businesses have emerged as a powerful force, contributing significantly to economic growth and societal progress.

UC Berkeley Is a Powerhouse for Entrepreneurs Interested In Building Things, Especially For Women

Won't this surprise you!  UC Berkeley graduates have founded more venture-backed companies than undergraduate alumni from any other university in the world, according to the 2024 PitchBook university rankings. 

Venture capital is paying attention to Berkeley-generated companies. And they claim they are just getting started.

Big note:  Berkeley was ranked first for female graduates who started businesses, first for female-founded companies and first for the amount of capital raised by women. 

“That UC Berkeley is No. 1 globally across five major categories, including three for female founders, shows how Berkeley continues to light the way, and we do so inclusively,” [Laura] Hassner [executive director of UC Berkeley Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Berkeley Changemaker] said.

Black Women Entrepreneurs Make Significant Contributions to the Economy

According to the Wells Fargo 2024 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses Report, between 2019 and 2023, Black/African American women-owned businesses saw average revenues increase 32.7%, compared to 12.1% for all women-owned businesses. 

In spite of this impressive growth, systemic disparities in funding and mentorship opportunities persist. Fortunately, new programs are addressing these gaps.

Read on to learn how black women entrepreneurs make significant contributions to the economy.

For Women In Business, Simply Being Well-Connected Is Not Enough

Engaging in the same networking activities as men, such as golfing or having a beer together, the logic seems to go, will increase women’s exposure to work opportunities.  A new study by Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management professors Brian Uzzi and Yang Yang suggests this advice isn’t quite right. While it’s true that highly connected women tend to land better jobs and build their businesses faster, the most successful women also have something they cannot get through “beers with the boys”: close ties with female peers.

Here's the key:

“Men really need a network that’s going to maximize their access and exposure to market information,” says [co-author and Professor] Brian Uzzi. Women, however, “need the same thing men need and one thing more.”

Specifically, women need “private information,” which may include insider tips about a company’s leadership culture and politics, or hints about how to make an impression in a male-dominated industry, for example.

Read on to understand that for a woman to land a top job, she needs different types of networks than men.  Simply being well-connected is not enough.

Create Healthy Habits: Take a Bath. Light a Candle. Power Down Your Day.

Highly successful leaders create healthy habits throughout the day, but what creates success are the habits they’ve developed in their nighttime routines. 

Are you intentional with your nighttime habits?  These folks are.  They set themselves up for success each night by creating routines that help them wake up energized, ready to accomplish their goals and clear on how they’ll spend each day.

Take it from SPANX founder Sara Blakely who spends the evening with her children and then puts them to bed. Every night, she takes a bath and lights a candle as a way to power down from a hectic day—she sees value in turning off work mode.

Are you good at turning off work mode?

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

There are a lot of things that women founders can do better than men. Like a "anything you can do, I can do better" attitude.  It works.

With that spirit, Audrey Chocron and Cynthia Phitoussi – co-founders and managing partners of SeedIL, a VC fund focusing on seed and pre-seed Israeli startups – began meticulously researching the local startup ecosystem and became particularly interested in startup accelerators and incubators, and new immigrant entrepreneurs like themselves. 

They spoke to CTech about founding and managing SeedIL Ventures which just raised $18 million for its second fund, about their journey as two female investors and founders in a male-dominated landscape, and how the war has impacted investment.

The Case For Investing in Women Entrepreneurs: Greater Economic Potential

The Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative presents its Case for Investing in Women Entrepreneurs, which launches the resource mobilization campaign for the second phase of We-Fi, post-2022. 

Recognizing the urgency of investing in women, the Case for Investing is not only a testimonial to We-Fi’s track record but, more importantly, the need for the global development community to recognize the economic potential of women entrepreneurs. 

Women Make Up Nearly Half of All New Entrepreneurs Since 2020

According to Gusto, women make up nearly half of all new entrepreneurs since 2020.

Women represented nearly 50% of startups in the U.S. in 2021 — up nearly 30% since 2019. Experts believe the pandemic drove more women to take the plunge into working for themselves, and that drive has only continued to result in more growth with more female business owners. 

Gusto's survey found that 64% of women who started their business in 2022 cited the need for more flexibility.

Never Stifle a Woman's Access to Work or Entrepreneurship (Documentary to Watch)

Nearly a third of countries have laws that stifle a woman's access to work, including limits on bank accounts, property inheritance, and many types of jobs. These countries, not coincidentally, have some of the highest rates of poverty in the world. 

A new film from Maureen Castle Tusty and James Tusty's Sky Films, She Rises Up, tells the stories of three women who have overcome such obstacles to found businesses in retail, cosmetics, and textiles.

Watch She Rises Up.  The road to eliminating poverty begins with HER.

Women Entrepreneurs: Be True to Your Own Values

Founded in 2022, the Coaching & Resources for Entrepreneurial Women (CREW) program encourages early-career women in science to become entrepreneurs, in part by reimagining what that means.  The program is led by Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Ph.D., the Kitty Trask Holt Endowed Chair for Scleroderma Research. 

One of the goals of the program is to build women’s confidence so that they can be successful entrepreneurs while remaining true to their own values.

Read the entire article and for more information on how to apply to the CREW program visit here.

Happy 20th Birthday Escape From Corporate America (2024)!

When I started this blog in 2004 (here's one of the first posts), people didn't know what a blog was.  Now they do and everyone recognizes the importance of sharing your knowledge with the world for others to grow from your experience.

Take a walk down memory lane with some of my posts celebrating Happy Birthday Escape From Corporate and Happy Anniversary Escape From Corporate America.

And remember y'all, it started with an article I submitted to The Conference Board in 2003 and from there, I started this blog, and from there, well the rest is history.  Here's what I said when I launched and it still is at the core of the my thinking day in and day out:

When I authored "Escape From Corporate America!" published by the Conference Board in 2003, I had no idea the reaction to it would be so profound and overwhelming. My inbox was flooded with email messages from gifted women who could not say enough about their dissatisfaction at work. Apparently, I underestimated just how fed up women are with Corporate America. EFCA offers a comprehensive look at why women are leaving BIG companies for entrepreneurship. Hint: They want freedom, flexibility, recognition, more money, and opportunities to leave a legacy -- all the things they once thought they would find within corporations. Are you ready to ... "Escape From Corporate America?"  

This blog serves as a beacon of hope for women entrepreneurs who aspire to create their own destiny.  Hooray to you for continuing your readership here which I thank you for.  We started with a handful of readers a month and now we range anywhere from 30,000-60,000.

Let's keep this good vibe going.

Female Entrepreneurs Are a Major Driver of Business Startup Growth

Americans have started more new businesses last year than ever since data collection started and female entrepreneurs are a major driver of that growth.

New data from my company, Gusto, shows that women started half of all new businesses in 2023. This is compared to a mere 29% in 2019. Women-led businesses have proven uniquely resilient to tough economic conditions like persistently high inflation and interest rates, and they generated $2.7 trillion in revenue last year. 

For women, flexibility is the No. 1 reason for starting a business.  They want to have the freedom to decide how they work.

At Escape From Corporate America (EFCA), we have known this to be true since 2003 on the flexibility and freedom parts of Gusto's findings.  Here's what I said in 2003 when EFCA was launched:

"They [women] want freedom, flexibility, recognition, more money, and opportunities to leave a legacy -- all the things they once thought they would find within corporations."

Read the full article to learn how female entrepreneurs are a major driver of business startup growth.

Women-Led Enterprises Are Regenerative Forces in Our Economy

Around the world, small businesses are the hearts and souls of communities. Your local barber and corner stores offer more than just transactional interactions for essential products and services. They are places where people listen to your everyday problems and foster a sense of belonging. What’s more, there’s a one in three chance that these micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) will be led by women.

Policymakers, businesses, banks, community leaders, and individuals have a role to play in unlocking women’s economic power, valued at $10 trillion annually. We need whole system change that includes comprehensive macroeconomic reforms including fairer tax systems and recognition of the care economy.

We need localized women-centered financial products and entrepreneur support systems to create more equitable economies for all marginalized groups, including women.

The latest evidence on women-led businesses finds that they not only reduce poverty but that they also drive job creation, spark innovation, and contribute to safer, greener and more vibrant communities, ensuring that everyone thrives collectively. These women-led enterprises are regenerative forces – building business communities and hiring local workers. Local economies simply cannot succeed without them.

Thanking All the Super Supportive Dads!

Twists and Turns on the Path to One Woman's Success

Amy Somerville, CEO of Success Magazine says that the path to success is anything but straightforward; it’s riddled with twists and turns, setbacks and triumphs.

And, now, as I [Amy] watch my own children play “grown-up,” my heart is full. They create clever roles as entrepreneurs, inventors, artists and social influencers. Will they follow the traditional path of higher education and conventional careers? Who knows? 

She goes on to say that what truly matters is that they [her kids] dare to dream big, set their sights high, push boundaries and understand that with unwavering determination and perseverance, any goal is within reach.

Impact of Female Entrepreneurship on Economic Growth

The central question of the study, "The Impact of Female Entrepreneurship on Economic Growth in Developing and Developed Economies," is: what is the impact of women’s entrepreneurship on economic growth in developed and developing countries?

To answer this question, two hypotheses have been formulated related to the adoption of women’s entrepreneurship as a vector of economic growth. These two hypotheses guided the authors's analysis:

• H1:  The impact of women’s entrepreneurship improves well-being and accelerates economic growth.
• H2:  The level of human capital contributes to the development of women’s entrepreneurship.

Read the abstract and download the full study, "The Impact of Female Entrepreneurship on Economic Growth in Developing and Developed Economies."

Wishing You a Meaningful and Thoughtful Memorial Day Weekend

Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® crafted a beautiful post about Memorial Day – honoring brave citizens that have sacrificed for our country.

Take a moment to express admiration for those who have served our country.  We are forever grateful for their service and owe them all.

It's Never Too Late to Pursue Entrepreneurial Dreams

Notably, women over 40 – mid-career women – are starting businesses twice as fast as men. Using their corporate experience and networking abilities, they identify untapped opportunities.

Unwilling to be confined by the corporate ladder, they flourish in the retail, healthcare, and professional services sectors. They constantly push boundaries and prove convincingly that female entrepreneurs can also excel in traditionally male-dominated industries.  

Most importantly, they showcase that it’s never too late to pursue entrepreneurial dreams.

Happy Mother's Day to All Mompreneurs

©2024 Laurel J, Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Happy Mother's Day to all, especially mompreneurs!  Mothers are living metaphors of love who believe in only giving and not expecting anything in return. So, this Mother’s Day, let us honor their contribution and provide them with a chance to bask in the glory of their achievements as a mother and a businesswoman.

Etsy Mother’s Day 2024 is a good day to take inspiration from mom entrepreneurs who have been juggling motherhood and running a business.  Consider “the women” (in all forms) out there to excel even in the business sphere, like; being more creative, selling online, building a brand, and being famous worldwide.

Note:  80% of female entrepreneurs sell on Etsy, out of which many are mothers.  

Here's a list of some of the most wonderful women entrepreneurs on Etsy and their stories of how they made it into the world of eCommerce.

Some Badass Woman-Owned Businesses in Louisville

When it comes to woman-owned businesses, Louisville is at the top of its game.  And what a great day to feature them – Kentucky Derby Day!

Women entrepreneurs are running everything from tour and event companies to hat shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, and more!

While Kentucky is filled with far more woman-owned businesses than can be covered in this article, that's a great thing!

If your favorite spot isn't featured, share this list and shout them out. All of Louisville's woman-owned businesses deserve our love and support!

Revisiting Women's Entrepreneurship: Breaking Stereotypes and Seizing Opportunities

Globally, one in six women reported an intention to start a business in the near future. The highest entrepreneurial intention rates were observed in low-income countries, where approximately 28% of women expressed intentions to start a business. 

Nearly one in every three entrepreneurs running established businesses is a woman. For start-up activity, there are .80 women for every 1 man. Globally, women were more likely than men to be solopreneurs (1.47 women solopreneurs for every 1 man).

These were among the findings presented in the GEM 2022/2023 Women’s Entrepreneurship report, entitled Challenging Bias and Stereotypes.

If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you do so now because women play a very important role in driving economic growth.

Note:  The report is sponsored by Cartier Women’s Initiative (CWI), the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership (F&E CWEL) at Babson College, the School of Management (HEG-FR) in Fribourg, Switzerland and the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi, housed in the World Bank Group).

What Would You Do If You Could Do Anything?

What would you do if you could do anything?  Back it up a bit, what would you do if you could have a months-long paid leave from work?  For me, as boring as it sounds, I would probably continue doing what I am doing.  For Rahel Mwitula Williams, it was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

The mountain, which is 5,895 meters (19,340 feet), and is the largest free-standing mountain rise in the world, took Mwitula six days to climb. But the journey was worth it.

So you know Rahel's job, by day she works as the Director Of Innovation for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and by night she runs her own socially responsible fashion brand ILAVA.

When she was approved to take a three-month sabbatical from her day job earlier this year, instead of taking a staycation, she set her sights on tackling one of the most challenging treks in the world as an emotional reset.

And that she accomplished.   

Nancy Geenen Says Connecting With Leaders on a Human Level Creates a Trusting, Empowering Work Culture

Nancy Geenen.  Used with permission.  All rights reserved.

Accomplished entrepreneur, author, leadership coach and strategic facilitator Nancy Geenen spent many years “trying to be someone else, in so many ways.”

What she discovered in her journey is that when a woman leader connects with employees on a human level by being vulnerable and inviting in-depth conversations without judgment, other differences are not as significant, and the leader builds trust as people feel more comfortable being themselves.

Here are Nancy's 5 key thoughts about how a leader showing vulnerability and accessibility can create a trusting, empowering work culture:

1. Being accountable and permitting others to hold everyone accountable. “Invite that open, honest, and vulnerable communication that is built on trust,” Geenen says. “And if you behave in a way that’s unreliable, own up to it.”
2. Asking for advice and committing to do better. Geenen says it’s common for team members to have numerous ideas about how a leader can improve their leadership skills. 
3. Knowing your people and letting them get to know you. Geenen says it’s a leader’s responsibility to model relationship-building. 
4. Being empathetic, not judgmental. Geenen says when check-ins with employees are done with a mindset of positivity, curiosity and empathy, not judgment and criticism, it earns the team’s trust because they feel seen, heard, and supported.  
5. Showing you care. When a leader directly pitches in to help one of their teams, be it problem-solving on a complex project or customer-service issue, or performing a tedious task like changing the toner in the copy machine, it establishes common ground with the workforce, showing the leader has humility and sincerity. 

These are among some of the many golden nuggets Nancy shares in her book, "The Advantage of Other:  A Leader's Guide to Building an Equitable, Dynamic, and Productive Workplace."

The Power of Exposure and Leading By Example for Women Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur Vanessa June says the representation of women in entrepreneurship is critically important, emphasizing the power of exposure and leading by example to create a stronger, more diverse ecosystem.

“If we don’t start businesses, then other women aren’t going to see that as a possibility,” said Vanessa, the founder and CEO of Leva, an app-based community that educates and empowers mothers and parents of babies aged 0-12 months. 

This representation — in entrepreneurship and at all levels of business — matters because women are going to tackle problems with new and different solutions than previously explored.

Learn how we can all build a bigger bandwagon for women entrepreneurs so it's not a lonely journey.

One Month Is Not Enough Time to Celebrate All Women Who Have Changed the World

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Progressing through history, from Cleopatra and Mary Magdalene to Madonna and Diana, Princess of Wales, each of these exceptional women's stories is told against the backdrop of the events of their time. For each, we learn of their achievements, backgrounds, characters and little-known details that make them ever more remarkable.

Progressive Black Women Entrepreneurs Are Breaking Barriers

According to J.P. Morgan, Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs, and there's no end in sight.  They are making a significant impact and shaping the world as we move through it.

For every Black woman who starts a business, a barrier is broken. An impressive 50,000-plus Black women are innovating in the United States — but not without the uphill battle of fighting bank funding denials, limited access to capital and systemic racism and sexism.

Despite the challenges, Black women are bringing their products and services to the market.

Here are four Black woman-owned businesses breaking barriers and sharing insights on business.

May the Angels Protect You

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

“May your neighbors respect you, troubles neglect you, the angels protect you, and heaven accept you.” – Irish Blessing (photos of Chicago and the dyeing of the Chicago River green, 3/16/24) 

The Day After International Women's Day 2024

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

"I am continually inspired by the intelligence and relentlessness of today’s young women warriors. They are keeping us all on the leading edge of modern feminism." – Marlo Thomas, Actor and Activist

Celebrating Courageous Women

Throughout history, the vision and achievements of courageous women have strengthened the United States and opened the doors of opportunity wider for all of us. 

Though their stories too often go untold, all of us stand on the shoulders of these sung and unsung trailblazers — from the women who took a stand as suffragists, abolitionists, and labor leaders to pioneering scientists and engineers, groundbreaking artists, proud public servants, and brave members of our Armed Forces.

Let's put our hands together and applaud all that you, my dear women readers, have accomplished.

Small Business Ideas for Women Entrepreneurs

Considering personal passions and market demand is crucial when determining what is the best business for a woman to start, allowing for a venture that aligns with both expertise and interest. 

That said, women entrepreneurs are rewriting the narrative of small business by bringing their creativity, passion, and unique perspectives to the table. From e-commerce ventures to niche service providers, women thrive in industries ranging from fashion and beauty to technology and sustainability.

Here is a list of small business ideas for women that answer the question of how to make money from home as a woman entrepreneur.  Many require little to no start-up costs.