Category: Personal Skills

Female Founders Deliver More With Less—But Still Get Less Funding

According to a recent Inc. article citing data from the Female Founders Fund, startups led by women generate more revenue per dollar raised (78 cents vs. 31 cents for male-led startups) and burn 15% less capital, showcasing their efficiency and impact despite receiving only 2.1% of venture capital funding in 2023. While female founders still face major funding disparities, the past decade has seen progress—including a near doubling of funding to female-founded startups and a rise in women holding decision-making roles in VC firms.

The No. 1 Trait of Successful Young Founders

In a recent CNBC post – Josh Browder, CEO of DoNotPay and investor in over 100 startup founders under age 25 – says the strongest predictor of a young entrepreneur’s success is having a deep, personal connection to the problem their startup aims to solve. He emphasizes that true passion and commitment—not just résumé-building or financial motivation—are what help founders endure the inevitable challenges of building a company.

5 Hidden Hurdles for Women Entrepreneurs—and How to Clear Them

A recent Fast Company article outlines five unexpected challenges that many women entrepreneurs face, including lack of representation in decision-making rooms, juggling invisible labor, and limited access to funding and networks. By proactively preparing—through research, shared household responsibilities, vocal advocacy, intentional networking, and rejecting artificial timelines—women can navigate these obstacles and move forward with confidence.

Where Women-Owned Businesses Thrive in the US — and Where They Don’t

A new LegalZoom study reveals wide geographic disparities in the success of women-owned small businesses across the U.S., with states like Florida, Georgia, and Colorado leading in business ownership per capita, and cities like Miami and Memphis showing especially strong female entrepreneurial activity.

Meanwhile, regions such as rural Appalachia and California’s Central Valley lag due to limited access to capital, mentorship, and supportive infrastructure. The study also highlights how local policies, cultural factors, and economic conditions shape gender parity, employment impact, and payroll among women-led enterprises nationwide.

Click the link above to see the complete report.

Perception vs. Reality: Recent Survey Suggests Small Business Owners Need Stronger Financial Planning

A new TD Bank survey reveals a significant gap between small business owners’ confidence in their financial preparedness and their actual readiness. While 94% of owners believe they’re prepared for the next 12–18 months, many would struggle after just two quarters of revenue shortfalls. The study highlights that although New York-based businesses are slightly more resilient than the national average, most still face challenges like inflation, customer growth, and the rapid evolution of AI tools. Many are turning to digital budgeting tools, loans, and financial advisors, yet underutilize expert guidance. Small business owners are encouraged to seek out trusted financial support to better navigate uncertainty and position their businesses for long-term success.

Closing the Digital Divide for Women Entrepreneurs: A $5 Trillion Opportunity

Women entrepreneurs in low- and middle-income countries are vital to economic growth but according to this report from World Economic Forum, they face major barriers due to digital exclusion and discriminatory legal frameworks.

While most own smartphones, many lack affordable, reliable internet and face online harassment, limiting their ability to grow businesses through digital tools. Regulatory obstacles and gender bias also prevent women from accessing credit and formalizing businesses.

Closing these gaps through policy reform, infrastructure investment, digital literacy training, and online safety measures could unlock up to $5 trillion in global GDP. Bridging the digital divide is not only a moral imperative—it’s an economic necessity.

Women Business Owners More Concerned About Economic Uncertainty

A new CNBC|SurveyMonkey survey shows that women small business owners are feeling more anxious than men about the economy. They’re more likely to worry about inflation, rising costs, and the possibility of a recession—and nearly 70% say they’re stressed about their business finances. While women are starting businesses at record rates, these concerns reflect the real challenges they’re facing and highlight how differently economic conditions can impact people depending on their experiences. Click this link to read more.

Motherhood Meets Entrepreneurship: Creative Strategies That Work

Now that Mother’s Day has passed, we’re spotlighting insights from women entrepreneurs who are balancing the full-time demands of both business and motherhood. In this HerStory feature, they share the real-life “hacks” that help them juggle investor meetings, school runs, and toddler tantrums—often all in the same day. From time-blocking during school hours to using sensory kits to keep kids engaged during work calls, these mothers rely on structure, early mornings, and strong support systems. They also emphasize the importance of self-care and mental clarity. Their message to other moms thinking about launching a business: you don’t need a perfect plan—just the confidence to begin and the grace to ask for help.

Looking for Inspiration? Check Out These Titles

If you’re an entrepreneur looking for inspiration, practical advice, or just a good business read, this roundup of 20 must-reads for 2025 has you covered. From Kathryn Finney’s empowering Build the Damn Thing for underrepresented founders, to Andy Dunn’s raw memoir Burn Rate about mental health and startup pressure, the list covers everything from emotional intelligence (Primal Leadership) to harnessing AI for growth (Competing in the Age of AI). Whether you’re launching your first product (Launch, 48-Hour Start-up), building a virtual team (Virtual Freedom), or rethinking leadership (Dare to Lead, Move Fast and Fix Things), there’s a book here that meets you where you are. With tips on financial literacy, productivity hacks, and human-centered entrepreneurship, this list is basically a curated bookshelf for anyone who wants to grow smarter, lead better, and stay sane while building something meaningful.

Women of Courage: Speaking Truth, Driving Change

Bravery inspires us most, particularly when women use their platforms to speak truth to power and unite for change, following in the footsteps of past activists like the suffragists, whose courage set a blueprint for today’s movements. Women such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rachel Maddow, Jane Fonda, Nicole Kidman, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and the ‘Meno-Posse’ continue this legacy by holding leaders accountable, advocating for justice, and reshaping conversations on politics, media, and social issues. Read more about these stories at this link to The Story Exchange.