March is Women’s History Month, when all month long we celebrate the accomplishments of women-owned businesses across the country. Making up 42% of all businesses in the U.S., women-owned businesses still face disparities in funding.
The pandemic impacted most small businesses, but women-owned businesses struggled more than most. Since then, the number of women-owned businesses has grown. In 2023, women-owned businesses made up half of all new small businesses in the U.S. compared to the 29% prior to the pandemic.
This month, we celebrate the resilience of female entrepreneurs by finding avenues to support their businesses that aren’t just making a purchase.
How to Support Women-Owned Businesses
Create a partnership with a women-owned business. If you have a preexisting relationship with another vendor, think of creative ways to amplify your business through women-owned services such as;
- Engagement activities
- Catering
- Decals
- Tech services
- Marketing
- Maintenance
Women Owned is a site which provides a directory of women-owned businesses in every industry. Their mission is to fuel economic growth in female entrepreneurship.
Refer customers to a women-owned business. Whether you are streamlining a customer to a service that compliments yours—like mentioning a window tinter after detailing a their car or simply recommending a restaurant you enjoy—word-of-mouth referrals are effective.
As a small business owner, credibility and trustworthiness are important in establishing your brand. Make an effort to push women-owned businesses this month.
Celebrating Women-Owned Businesses
Women have made great strides in entrepreneurship but still face challenges with access to capital and availability of equity. This Women’s History Month, we celebrate women-owned businesses who have become driving forces in female entrepreneurship.
Lendistry customer, Amy Carnrick, owner of Foster Plumbing—one of the few medium-sized plumbing companies in Denver, CO that is women-led says, “It’s very exciting for me as a woman to break down barriers in a male dominated market.”
Check out our blog, Honoring the Impact of Women-Owned Businesses for more information on the impact of women-owned businesses in their communities throughout out the U.S.