Women Own Over 40% Of U.S. Businesses. Why Entrepreneurship Is Rising

"Women now own over 40% of all U.S. businesses, employing 12.6 million people and generating $2.8 trillion in revenue, according to a recent report by Wells Fargo. The number of women-owned businesses grew 12% from 2022 to 2025, nearly double the growth rate for businesses owned by men."

"Entrepreneurship is increasingly becoming an alternative route to influence, autonomy and long-term wealth as women entrepreneurs pursue goals seemingly less accessible in the corporate world: Ownership and autonomy with 75% of women wanting to be their own boss, flexibility and control with 62% wanting more control over how and when they work, long-term assets with more than half aiming to build financial assets, and income growth with a third expecting entrepreneurship to increase earnings."

"Women now make up 44% of the global workforce but hold just 31% of vice president-level roles and above, according to new research from LinkedIn. Leadership progress inside companies has slowed, even as women continue to gain ground in education and workforce participation."

Women comprise 44% of the global workforce but hold only 31% of vice president-level positions and above, indicating stalled corporate leadership progress. In response, entrepreneurship has emerged as an alternative route to leadership and wealth. Women now own over 40% of U.S. businesses, employing 12.6 million people and generating $2.8 trillion in revenue. Women-owned businesses grew 12% from 2022 to 2025, nearly double the growth rate for male-owned businesses. Women entrepreneurs prioritize ownership and autonomy, flexibility, building long-term financial assets, and income growth. This trend is particularly strong among younger women and women of color, with women starting half of all new businesses in America in 2024.

Read at Forbes