According to the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, women make up over 50% of the U.S. population and make substantial contributions across all sectors of the economy.1
Another report by American Express shows that the number of women-owned businesses increased by 21% between 2014 and 2019, compared to 9% growth for all businesses. These statistics highlight the impact and growth of women entrepreneurs.2
From humble beginnings to billion-dollar empires, these women defied the odds and paved the way for future generations of women entrepreneurs.
Here are the 18 powerhouse women who turned their dreams into reality and forever changed the business landscape.
1. Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx
Sara Blakely’s entrepreneurial journey began with a simple idea: creating comfortable, flattering shapewear for women. In 2000, she invested her entire life savings of $5,000 to develop the first Spanx prototype.
Today, Spanx is a global brand with over $400 million in annual sales, and Blakely became the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire in 2012.
Blakely’s success stems from her unwavering determination and innovative spirit. She pitched Spanx to Neiman Marcus buyers, securing prime retail space, and even sent personalized notes to Oprah Winfrey, who later named Spanx one of her “Favorite Things.”
2. Arianna Huffington, Co-Founder of The Huffington Post
Arianna Huffington’s journey from political commentator to media mogul is remarkable. In 2005, she co-founded The Huffington Post, a news and blog site that quickly became one of the most influential media outlets in the world.
Under Huffington’s leadership, The Huffington Post grew to attract over 100 million unique visitors per month.
Huffington’s success is rooted in her ability to innovate and adapt to the changing media landscape. She embraced the power of digital media early on and built a platform that gave voice to diverse perspectives.
In 2011, AOL acquired The Huffington Post for $315 million, solidifying Huffington’s status as a media visionary.
3. Diane von Furstenberg, Founder of DVF
Diane von Furstenberg’s iconic wrap dress has been a fashion staple for over four decades. Born in Belgium, von Furstenberg moved to New York City in the early 1970s with a suitcase full of wrap dresses.
Her designs quickly caught the attention of fashion editors and celebrities, and by 1976, she had sold over a million dresses.
Von Furstenberg’s success is a testament to her resilience and adaptability. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her career, including a failed cosmetics line and a struggling business, she never gave up on her vision.
Today, DVF is a global luxury lifestyle brand with a presence in over 55 countries.
4. Cher Wang, Co-Founder of HTC
Cher Wang is a Taiwanese entrepreneur who co-founded HTC, one of the world’s leading smartphone manufacturers.
Under Wang’s leadership, HTC became known for its innovative designs and cutting-edge technology, with one out of every six smartphones sold in the US being an HTC device at the company’s peak.
Wang’s success is rooted in her passion for technology and her ability to anticipate market trends. She recognized the potential of smartphones early on and positioned HTC as a leader in the industry.
Despite facing intense competition from Apple and Samsung, Wang remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in mobile technology.
5. Indra Nooyi, Former CEO of PepsiCo
Indra Nooyi’s journey from India to the top of one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies is a testament to her leadership and vision. As CEO of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018, Nooyi led the company through tremendous growth, with revenue increasing from $35 billion to $63.5 billion.
Nooyi’s success is rooted in her ability to balance innovation with social responsibility. Under her leadership, PepsiCo launched healthier product lines and invested in sustainable business practices.
6. Zhang Xin, Co-Founder of SOHO China
Zhang Xin is a self-made billionaire who co-founded SOHO China, one of China’s largest real estate developers. Born into poverty, Zhang worked in factories as a teenager before earning a scholarship to study in the UK.
After working on Wall Street, she returned to China and launched SOHO China with her husband in 1995.
Under Zhang’s leadership, SOHO China has developed over 54 million square feet of real estate, including some of Beijing’s most iconic buildings. Zhang’s success is a testament to her vision and ability to navigate China’s complex business landscape.
7. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Founder of Biocon
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is an Indian entrepreneur who founded Biocon, a pioneering biotech company that develops affordable drugs for chronic diseases. Mazumdar-Shaw started Biocon in 1978 with just $500 in a rented garage.
Biocon is one of India’s largest biopharmaceutical companies, with over $7 billion market capitalization.
Mazumdar-Shaw’s success is rooted in her commitment to innovation and desire to impact society positively.
Under her leadership, Biocon has developed drugs for cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases, making them accessible to millions worldwide.
8. Oprah Winfrey, Founder of Harpo Productions
Oprah Winfrey’s journey from poverty to becoming one of the most influential women in the world is a testament to her resilience and vision. Born in rural Mississippi, Winfrey overcame numerous challenges to become the first African American woman to own and produce her talk show.
She later founded Harpo Productions, which has produced numerous successful television shows and films.
Winfrey’s success is rooted in her ability to connect deeply and personally with audiences. Her empathy, authenticity, and vulnerability have inspired millions of people worldwide.
9. Tory Burch, Founder of Tory Burch LLC
Tory Burch’s eponymous fashion brand has become a global phenomenon, with over 250 stores worldwide and a celebrity following.
Burch launched her company in 2004 with a small boutique in New York City and quickly gained a reputation for her bohemian-inspired designs and accessible luxury.
Burch’s success is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and ability to build a strong brand identity.
10. Weili Dai, Co-Founder of Marvell Technology Group
Weili Dai is a Chinese-American entrepreneur who co-founded Marvell Technology Group, a leading semiconductor company.
Dai served as Marvell’s President and helped grow the company from a small startup to a global leader in the semiconductor industry, with over $2.9 billion in annual revenue.
Dai’s success is rooted in her technical expertise and ability to build strong partnerships. Under her leadership,
Marvell developed innovative solutions for the storage, networking, and mobile markets and formed key partnerships with companies like Google and Microsoft.
11. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Founder of Parkwood Entertainment
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is a global music icon and a savvy entrepreneur. In 2010, she founded Parkwood Entertainment, a management and entertainment company that oversees her music, films, and other business ventures.
Under Beyoncé’s leadership, Parkwood has produced numerous successful projects, including her critically acclaimed visual album “Lemonade.”
Beyoncé’s success is a testament to her creativity, work ethic, and business acumen. She has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in the entertainment industry and has used her platform to empower and inspire women worldwide.
12. Adi Tatarko, Co-Founder of Houzz
Adi Tatarko is an Israeli entrepreneur who co-founded Houzz, a leading platform for home remodeling and design. Tatarko and her husband started Houzz as a side project in 2009 after struggling to find inspiration for their home renovation.
Today, Houzz has over 40 million monthly users and has raised over $600 million in funding.
Tatarko’s success is rooted in her ability to identify a market need and create a user-friendly platform to address it.
Under her leadership, Houzz has become a one-stop-shop for home design, connecting homeowners with professionals and providing access to a vast library of design ideas and products.
Rashmi Sinha is an Indian-American entrepreneur who co-founded SlideShare, a leading platform for sharing presentations and professional content.
She and her husband started SlideShare in 2006 and grew it to over 80 million monthly users before LinkedIn acquired it in 2012.
Sinha’s success is a testament to her technical expertise and ability to create a platform that meets the needs of professionals.
Under her leadership, SlideShare became a go-to resource for business presentations, conference talks, and educational content.
14. Sheila Lirio Marcelo, Founder of Care.com
Sheila Lirio Marcelo is a Filipino-American entrepreneur who founded Care.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for finding and managing family care.
Marcelo started Care.com in 2006 after struggling to find care for her children and aging parents. Today, Care.com has over 35 million members in 20 countries.
Marcelo’s success is rooted in her personal experience and her ability to create a platform that solves a real problem for families.
Under her leadership, Care.com has become a trusted resource for finding caregivers, providing job opportunities for millions of care workers worldwide.
15. Katrina Lake, Founder of Stitch Fix
Katrina Lake is an American entrepreneur who founded Stitch Fix, a leading online personal styling service. Lake started Stitch Fix in 2011 while she was still a student at Harvard Business School.
Today, Stitch Fix has over 3 million active clients and has revolutionized the way people shop for clothes.
Lake’s success is a testament to her ability to combine data science with human expertise to create a personalized shopping experience.
Under her leadership, Stitch Fix has developed sophisticated algorithms that analyze customer data to provide tailored clothing recommendations while employing a network of expert stylists to hand-select items for each client.
16. Anne Wojcicki, Co-Founder of 23andMe
Anne Wojcicki is an American entrepreneur who co-founded 23andMe, a leading personal genomics and biotechnology company. Wojcicki started 23andMe in 2006 to empower individuals to access and understand their genetic information.
Today, 23andMe has over 10 million customers worldwide and significantly contributes to genetic research.
Wojcicki’s success is rooted in her passion for science and belief in the power of personalized medicine.
Under her leadership, 23andMe has developed innovative genetic testing kits that give individuals insights into their ancestry, health risks, and traits.
17. Melanie Perkins, Co-Founder of Canva
Melanie Perkins is an Australian entrepreneur who co-founded Canva, a leading online design platform. Perkins started Canva in 2013 to make graphic design accessible to everyone.
Today, Canva has over 55 million monthly active users and is valued at over $15 billion.
Perkins’ success is a testament to her vision and ability to create a user-friendly platform that democratizes design.
Under her leadership, Canva has developed a wide range of templates, tools, and features that make it easy for anyone to create professional-looking designs, regardless of their skill level.
18. Whitney Wolfe Herd, Founder of Bumble
Whitney Wolfe Herd is an American entrepreneur who founded Bumble, a popular dating and social networking app. Wolfe Herd started Bumble in 2014 to create a platform where women could make the first move.
Today, Bumble has over 100 million users worldwide and has expanded beyond dating to include networking and friendship features.
Wolfe Herd’s success is rooted in her commitment to empowering women and creating a safe and respectful online community.
Under her leadership, Bumble has implemented several innovative features, such as photo verification and in-app video calling, to enhance user safety and engagement.
As we celebrate their successes, let us also be inspired by their stories and motivated to pursue our entrepreneurial dreams, no matter how big or small they may be.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
