Dreaming of breaking through the metaphorical glass ceiling and starting your own business?
Firstly, a moment of acknowledgement. Taking that leap can be scarier for women than it is for many men.
According to Wells Fargo, women-owned businesses represent 39% of all businesses – over 14 million – employing 12.2 million workers and generating $2.7 trillion in annual revenue.
But we can do better.
The pandemic put a renewed focus on women-owned businesses, too. According to the same research, from 2019 to 2023, women-owned businesses’ growth rate outpaced the rate of men’s 94% for number of firms, 253% for employment, and 82% for revenue.
Impressive numbers, right? The impact that women-owned businesses make on the economy is undeniable.
While there are many reasons women decide to start their business, data from the World Economic Forum shows that almost three in four women (73%) cite job scarcity as the main reason for their business startup, compared to about two-thirds of men (67%).
If you’re looking for ideas that will get you amped about starting your own business, I’ve created a list of over 50, including best practices, tips from inspiring women business owners, and a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Let’s dive in.
50+ of the best business ideas for women
More than a decade ago, women-owned businesses were concentrated in just three industries: other services (e.g., salons, pet care), professional services (e.g., legal, consulting), and healthcare and social assistance (e.g., daycare, homecare).
But now? 50% of all women-owned businesses are spread across four key sectors:
- Other services (hair and nail salons, pet care, laundries, and dry cleaners) account for 16% of all women-owned businesses.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services (legal, bookkeeping, and consulting businesses) account for 14% of all women-owned businesses.
- Administrative, support, and waste management, and remediation services (office administration, staffing agencies, and security and surveillance services) account for 12% of all women-owned businesses.
- Healthcare and social assistance (child daycare and home care providers, mental health practitioners, and physicians) account for 11% of all women-owned businesses.
But if these business ideas don’t interest you, fear not. While these industries have the most women-owned businesses, many women are beginning to explore more industries.
Maybe you feel a bit confused, daunted, or lost about which business to start, and I get that. So, here’s a list of over 50 business ideas for women entrepreneurs to get your creative gears turning.
Best small business ideas for women
Isn’t every woman’s dream to own a bookstore café? I know mine is.
I find the idea of owning a small business, whether it’s a bakery, makeup salon, or flower shop…it’s just so wholesome. My entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 19. On Valentine's Day, after countless hours exploring Etsy, I launched my own shop to sell the jewelry I assembled.
Over time, this project became way more than a small online shop. As time went on, this venture turned into a valuable learning experience. I experimented with various pricing strategies, sales techniques, marketing partnerships and even explored different platforms.
Why am I telling you this? Because while it was my first entrepreneurial experience, it taught me invaluable business ownership lessons. I could pull from what I’d learned within the world of ecommerce and leverage that perspective as a writer.
So when you’re just starting, you don’t have to pick the most challenging business idea.
Especially for women, just getting started with something small can still help you learn everything you need about running a business.
My advice? Pick something you like. The Japanese have a concept called ‘Ikigai’, which asks one to consider what you're good at, what you can get paid for, and what the world needs.
Here are a few initial small business ideas to explore:
- Jewelry business
- Catering
- Bakery business
- Makeup and hairstyling business
- Event planning business
- Pet-sitting business
- Pet grooming salon
- Cleaning services
- Wedding planning business
- Landscaping business
- Real estate business
- Bookkeeping services
- Flower shop
- PR agency
- Home health services
- Bookstore cafe
Online business ideas for women
Deciding to quit your job and become a business owner is not an easy call to make.
That said, you can always start with part-time gigs and side hustles before you jump in with both feet. I did the same thing. I started freelancing while working full-time in public relations before quitting to work for myself.
The good news: the internet makes it easy to test your entrepreneurial spirit and offer services online or even sell products. And starting a business online often removes a lot of risk, upfront costs, and overheads.
Digital products are intangible assets; things like downloadable templates, courses, or eBooks.
Let’s run through the pros for a second: they don’t require physical inventory, and you can sell them repeatedly. This makes digital products a perfect business opportunity for women who want to test the waters of entrepreneurship, as they have low upfront costs and high potential ROI.
You don’t even have to start from scratch if you're already a digital creator. Let me explain:
I compiled my existing newsletters and blog posts with actionable how-to lessons into an ebook, Write Better Right Now, where I share writing lessons and exercises that help content creators improve their writing quality and increase their writing efficiency.
On top of that, I’ve recently started experimenting with a new community for writers on Whop.
Members get instant access to my writing brief template, live trainings, direct access to ask writing-related questions in the private forum, and giveaways. This allows me to build genuine connections and create something of value that I enjoy doing – ikigai.
Building an online community can be a great way to grow genuine connections and share your knowledge and passion with like-minded individuals, and digital products can be a great way to make money and give you a solid foundation for future business ventures.
There’s also an opportunity for you to become a go-to source of information around a topic you’re passionate about.
Marketer Krista Doyle created a media site called Taypedia, for example, that covers news and products for fans of Taylor Swift. With this site, she can monetize through affiliate links, newsletter sponsorships, and brand partnerships.
Whop seller Alexis Mai teaches other women how to become remote closers, closing high-figure deals for well-known creators and earning a healthy commission each time – using the same strategy that helped her earn 100k in just 27 days. Crazy, right?
You can test many online business ideas part-time before dedicating all your time and effort to one business. Here are some other ideas to consider around digital products:
- Freelance writing
- Proofreading
- Create and monetize a community
- Transcription services
- Translation services
- Selling digital products
- Home tutoring
- Social media influencer
- Course creator
- Dropshipping
- Virtual assistant
- Affiliate marketing
- Fitness coaching
- Personalized family meal plans
- Web design
- Social media management
- Online coaching
Home business ideas for women
Some women like the idea of owning a business because of its flexibility, allowing them to work from home. I know I do. And yes, you can start plenty of businesses from the comfort of your home.
Some of the most popular ideas for work-from-home business models are things like making candles or homemade beauty products. Why? Well, it’s easy to get started. You can find thousands of beauty and homecare recipes online and quickly turn a corner of your apartment or a room in your house into your creation lab, with most tools required found in your kitchen.
Another popular idea is refurbishing and reselling furniture. If you’re often scrolling through social media, I bet you’ve come across a reel or a TikTok that shows how an old piece of furniture can look like new if you invest a little time and effort into fixing it up.
Remember that for this business, you’ll need specific tools such as an electric sander, safety glasses, a dust mask, gloves, hammers, screwdrivers, etc. However, once you make the initial investment, you can use your equipment again.
Another interesting business model for women that doesn’t require a physical storefront is a “cloud” kitchen—a delivery-only kitchen that prepares food for online orders without a dining area.
As long as you comply with your state’s cottage laws and have the proper certifications (like a food handler’s license), you can make and sell food you prepare either at home or in a rented kitchen space.
There are plenty of other business ideas out there that allow women to run a business successfully while juggling family life. Here are some of them:
- Candle-making
- Homemade beauty products
- Refurbishing/reselling furniture
- Cloud kitchen or baked goods
- Urban farming (vertical farming and microgreens)
- Online fashion boutique
- Print on demand or screenprinting
- Data entry
Eco-friendly business ideas for women
You know what else I love about women? We care, not just for others, but the planet.
According to researchers at Northwestern Polytechnical University in China, female CEOs tend to make more environmentally friendly decisions.
Women business owners can strengthen their brand and business reputation by amplifying their sustainability initiatives. This will also allow them to get easier access to funds. EY’s study revealed that women founders are more likely to receive funding when their narratives include social impact components.
Some of the ideas we’ve already mentioned can be turned into sustainable initiatives, such as clean beauty, which focuses on beauty products made with safe, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly ingredients.
Creating wooden toys is another interesting business idea. Unlike plastic toys, wooden toys are environmentally friendly and can last for generations, reducing the waste that ends up in landfills.
And lowkey, besides being free from harmful chemicals and plastics (which makes them safe for children, pets, and the environment alike) there’s also something special in the charm and simplicity of wooden toys.
Here are some other ideas for eco-friendly businesses you can start:
- Ethical fashion
- Clean beauty and cosmetics
- Organic and sustainable farming
- Garment upcycling
Creative business ideas for women
Imagine waking up every day excited to dive into a world where your creativity is not just a hobby, but a thriving business. This is the reality for many creatives – and it can be for you, too, if you wish.
If you're an artist, a crafter, or someone who just loves turning unique ideas into reality, there are plenty of opportunities and business ideas for women like you.
For example, I’ve always been fascinated by handmade ceramics. Something about the entire process, the level of detail, and the pieces' final look always gets me.
Patrícia Pereira is the person behind Coral Ceramics, which sells handmade pieces made from high-quality clay. Each piece takes an average of four weeks to finish, so it’s a very time-consuming (but also rewarding) process.
As such, her pieces sell for a higher price point, making them treasured gifts and heirlooms for years to come.
Another creative business idea is designing and selling planners or workbooks. Aileen Xu founded Lavendaire in 2014 as a resource for personal growth and lifestyle design. In December 2016, Aileen created the first Artist of Life Workbook journal for self-discovery, goal setting, and inner well-being. Since then, its quality and content have improved each year.
If you enjoy crafts and creativity, these ideas might be a good fit for your next business:
- Wedding invitations design
- Handmade crafts
- Photography services
- Interior design business
- Digital marketing business
- Gift box subscription service
- Design and sell planners
- Subscription-based learning boxes
- Embroidery tutorials
- Hand knitted toys
- Pottery business
And there you have it—more than 50 creative and fulfilling business ideas to inspire you on your journey to becoming a woman entrepreneur. Will it be easy? Probably not. Will it be worth it? 100%.
“Buckle up for the greatest adventure during which you’ll be tested in every possible way, and every day, you will learn something invaluable and new, and solve problems you’ve never dreamed of. Be the leader you always wanted to have!”
- Anna Gat, Founder of InterIntellect
10 steps to start a business: Tips and best practices
Now that we’ve covered the “what,” it’s time to think of the “how.”
Starting a business is not an easy task, but don’t worry, there are steps you can follow to ensure you don’t miss something along the way.
1. Identify your business idea
I’ve listed over 50 ideas here; but truthfully, you can find plenty more online.
However, remember what I said earlier, instead of getting stuck on the first step and overthinking things. Think about a business idea that aligns with your passions, skills, and market needs.
When you do this, your business won’t feel like work. So, ask yourself the following questions:
- How much time do you have to invest in your business?
- Do you prefer to work from home or at an office or workshop?
- What interests, passions, and skills do you have?
- Do you prefer selling digital products rather than physical products?
The business you build will be your daily reality. That’s why it’s important to choose something you love, something that excites you.
What’s something you look forward to every day? Build your business around that to get the much-needed spark even when things get hard.
“Build a brand that resonates, not just a business that sells. Connection is the key to longevity.”
-Jess Cervellon, Consultant at Open Late Collective
2. Validate your business idea before launching
While it’s important that your business idea genuinely excites you, having a passion for something is not enough for a business; it needs to be viable, too.
That’s why you need to validate your idea before you start. Conducting research can help you explore the potential and understand how others would react.
So how do you do this? Well, there are a few ways. You can create a survey to measure customers’ sentiment and demand for your product or service. You can also reach out to your friends, family, and social media connections to see what they think about your business idea.
You’ll be surprised how many constructive ideas you can gather along the way, which will help you build your business on a solid foundation.
3. Develop a business plan
The next step is to paint the bigger picture for your business. What is your mission, vision, and goal? Determining these will give you the much-needed clarity at this point in the journey.
Conduct a market analysis to immerse yourself in the landscape of your chosen industry. Start by understanding your target market—who are they, what are their needs, and what motivates their purchasing decisions?
Next, study your competition closely. Identify their strengths and weaknesses, and uncover gaps in the market that you can exploit. Finally, watch industry trends and shifts that could impact your business.
These kinds of insights make you better equipped to decide on your business model, from subscriptions and memberships to ecommerce, apps, and marketplaces.
During this step, you should also define your pricing strategy. Don’t be afraid to charge for the value you provide. This is a common problem among women entrepreneurs – struggling to charge what they are worth.
As a freelancer and solopreneur, I’ve been there. The way to get around it is by showing customers exactly what they can expect from your products or services and then charge accordingly.
“Charge what your business is worth. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does have to be good. If you have to beg for eyeballs, you haven’t positioned it right. Ask someone to use it in front of you (same with your website) and note how they perceive it and where they get stuck or confused.”
-Katharine McKee, ecommerce consultant
Once you define this, develop a marketing plan to reach and attract your target audience. Create strategies that will actually resonate with your customers’ needs and interests, using the same channels they frequent and crafting messages that speak directly to them.
Create a budget with detailed forecasts, including startup costs, operating expenses, and revenue projections. Begin with a comprehensive list of initial investments required to launch your business, followed by a clear breakdown of ongoing expenses. Then, estimate your expected revenue based on market research and sales goals.
Check out this guide with ways to grow your business without breaking the bank.
4. Take care of legal and compliance requirements
If you get slightly frightened or worried just by thinking about legal and compliance requirements, I feel you.
I’ve been through the same emotional rollercoaster. However, taking care of all the administrative tasks upfront will give you peace of mind later, and that’s priceless.
To start your business, register it with local, state, and federal entities to establish its official status. Then, obtain the necessary licenses and permits to comply with local regulations and industry standards. Understanding these regulations is crucial to operating legally and avoiding potential pitfalls.
Next, open a dedicated business bank account to manage finances separately from personal funds, ensuring clear and accurate financial tracking. Trust me, things can get messy here otherwise.
Finally, set up a system for managing accounting to keep track of expenses, revenues, and taxes, which is essential for maintaining financial health and making informed business decisions.
The good news is you can always ask for help for the things that overwhelm you; if you’re not an accounting whiz, hire someone who is.
“Focus on what you’re good at and hire others to help you with what you’re not (e.g., contracts, taxes, admin.) Don’t ignore those aspects of the business, because they don’t go away.”
-Ashley Cummings, Travel Blogger
5. Secure funding
Securing funding for your business starts with figuring out exactly how much capital you'll need to get things off the ground and keep them running smoothly. For many business ventures, you won’t need any funding. But for some, it may be necessary to get off the ground.
Consider various funding avenues—personal savings, loans, grants, venture capital, crowdfunding, and angel investors.
Make sure to explore opportunities specifically designed for women entrepreneurs, as these can offer not just financial backing but also valuable networks and support.
By piecing together this financial puzzle, you’ll create a strong foundation for your business and set yourself up for success.
6. Build your brand
Next, you want to stand out from the crowd. And the right branding can make that happen. Start by designing a logo, creating a visual signature, and defining your tone of voice.
If your business relies on your personal brand, be more vocal and position yourself as a leader in your niche as a go-to source of information.
Next, establish a vibrant online presence across various channels—social media, your website, and digital platforms—like crafting a digital storefront where your brand’s (or your) personality shines. This way, you’ll be able to build trust and draw in customers.
7. Set up operations
This is when things get real.
When setting up operations for your business, you need to consider several key factors. First, you must determine whether you need a physical location, such as an office or retail space, or if the business can operate virtually or from a home base. This decision influences the choice of location and associated costs.
Equally important is evaluating the equipment and technology you need for daily operations, including computers, materials, or specialized tools.
In some cases, starting a business is as simple as creating a digital product and using different tactics to boost sales.
8. Launch your business
As the countdown to launching your new business begins, generating buzz and excitement should become your key focus.
By building a pre-launch campaign that teases your product or service, you can create a sense of eagerness and build a community of interested followers (and potential customers).
Another tactic businesses often use is creating a waiting list or pre-order, which helps you kickstart your business and generates revenue for your business operations.
Don’t forget that running a business is a marathon, not a sprint. Embrace the good and the bad days and keep pushing forward.
“Building a business is a roller coaster ride. You accept you are getting on the ride and riding the ups and downs. Both are part of the process to get to the destination. But if you start to feel sick, you need to get off the ride and rest for a bit.”
-Amanda Goetz, writer and creator
9. Monitor and adjust
Even if you’re not a data analytics wizard, keeping track of your results is necessary for every business owner. Thankfully, there are dozens of good programs out there that can help you keep track of metrics.
These sorts of details help you monitor business performance and customer feedback.
Instead of focusing only on the hard data, pay attention to what your customers say on social media, in reviews, and in forums, too. That’s social proof, and it shouldn’t be overlooked.
And please, don’t get discouraged by numbers or negative comments. We do not have time for that. Try to look at everything as objectively as you can and embrace every situation as a lesson.
“Be a results person, not a deliverables person — whoever you're working for or with. It's easy to trot out process and protocol and formality. Also, get "fail" out of your vocab immediately. Clean up how you talk to yourself. Fast.”
-Grace Clarke, marketing consultant
10. Build and nurture your network
No woman is an island. In fact, women thrive in collaborative communities, and sisterhood is in our DNA. Research from Women Tech found that over 80% of managerial and above professional women utilize networking to propel their careers forward.
To succeed in your business venture, you need all the help you can get from your community. Focus on building a strong network of people who support you along the way.
Building and nurturing your network when starting a business is crucial. It provides valuable connections, resources, and support that can significantly accelerate growth and open doors to new opportunities.
“Your network will help you get from 0-1 the fastest. Build and nurture relationships, don't be afraid to ask for help, and always be thankful enough to find ways to give back to those friends.”
-Tina Donati, content agency owner
Start your business today with Whop
If you’ve reached this far, congratulations. You’re now equipped with the blueprint you need to start your own business, whichever direction you go.
And I have even more good news: if you’re starting an online business (selling digital products, affiliate marketing, content creation, community building, coaching, you get the picture) then Whop is the perfect platform to launch.
Not only can Whop help you make your first dollar on the internet, but the platform can also help grow and build your business into something sustainable – in record time.
You can launch with Whop risk-free, as there are no platform fees - they only make money when you make money. Plus, building your store takes less than 10 minutes.
Join the other women in Whop’s seller community today, and start making tangible money from your online business.
FAQs
What is the best business for a woman to start?
When considering the best business for you, consider where your passions and skills intersect with market needs. Maybe you’re drawn to running an online retail store, allowing you to showcase your creativity and build a brand from anywhere.
Or perhaps your expertise in a particular field could translate into a rewarding consulting business. If you’re passionate about health and wellness, consider offering services that help others improve their lives. The key is to choose a venture that excites you and aligns with what you’re good at.
How can I start a business with limited funds?
Truthbomb: many business owners started with nothing. Don’t let it deter you. To start a business with limited funds, focus on a low-cost business model, such as digital products. Info products and online stores require little (if any) investment, which can be a great way to wade into entrepreneurial waters.
What are some low-risk business ideas for women new to entrepreneurship?
Low-risk business ideas require minimal upfront investment and can be scaled gradually. Think about freelancing (writing, graphic design, consulting), virtual assistance, dropshipping, online coaching, or selling digital products like e-books or courses.
What factors should women consider when choosing a business idea?
Women should consider their interests and skills, market demand, potential profitability, startup costs, and work-life balance when choosing a business idea. They should also assess the target audience and competition to ensure their idea has a viable niche.
