America is in the middle of a small business boom. Applications to start new businesses have remained near record highs for several years, and women are leading much of the surge. Women now own more than 14 million U.S. businesses, according to the Women’s Enterprise Research Center, and their ranks are growing faster than the overall number of businesses.

These companies span every industry, from consulting firms and bakeries to construction companies and technology startups. Together they employ millions of workers and generate trillions of dollars in revenue.

Why Women Are Starting Businesses

Entrepreneurs cite many reasons, including flexibility, independence and the desire to build something of their own. The rise of remote work and online sales platforms has also lowered the cost of starting a company.

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Camila Ortiz launched her marketing agency, Brightside Collective, from her kitchen table in San Antonio three years ago. It now employs 18 people. “I wanted to build the kind of workplace I always wished I had,” she says. “Flexible, ambitious and full of people who are encouraged to grow.”

Barriers That Remain

Despite the progress, women entrepreneurs still face hurdles, especially access to capital. Women-owned businesses receive a small share of venture funding and are often approved for smaller loans than businesses owned by men, studies show. Many rely on personal savings or credit cards to get started.

“Women are starting businesses at an incredible pace, but they are often under-capitalized,” says Dr. Patricia Lowell, an economist at the Women’s Enterprise Research Center. “When we improve access to loans and investment, these companies grow faster and create more jobs for their communities.”

Many women-owned firms are also finding opportunities in government contracting. Federal and state programs set aside a portion of contracts for small and women-owned businesses, and agencies are encouraging more companies to apply. The process can be complex, but local business development centers offer free help with certifications, proposals and paperwork, making it easier for first-time contractors to compete.

Support is expanding. Community lenders, mentorship networks and local accelerators now focus specifically on women founders, offering training, networking and small grants. Ortiz encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to seek out those resources. “Find your people,” she says. “Other women business owners were my best teachers, and they still are.”

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