Post by Dr. Marsha Firestone, contributing Women On Business writer
Each year at the WPO/WPEO office, we order the new update of the “Key Facts about Women-Owned Businesses” booklet from the Center for Women’s Business Research. The information is not only useful in keeping us updated on the progress that women in business make each year, but is also a way to track the achievements of businesswomen even in tough economic times. I like to share it with our WBEs to encourage them to think about the positives, and to focus on moving forward and growing their businesses. The following are some inspiring statistics about women in business from the Center for Women’s Business Research.
There are 10.1 million firms that are 50% or more owned by women. This is down from 10.4 million in 2007, but considering the economic downturn, this number is still very impressive. These businesses are employing 13 million people, up from 12.8 million in 2007, and are generating $1.9 trillion in sales as of 2008. This means women in business are surviving and thriving through the turbulence caused by the economy.
Twenty-six percent of all women-owned businesses are owned by a woman of color. Presently, there are 2.3 million firms that are 50% or more owned by women of color- African American, Asian, Latina, or other races. These firms employ 1.7 million and generate $235 billion in revenues, and are also the fastest growing firms (2002-2008)!
Three percent of all women-owned firms have revenues of $1 million or more, compared to 6% of all men-owned firms. This statistic has stayed consistent for the past few years. One in five firms with revenues of $1 million or more is woman-owned. These women attribute their success to action and creating their own rules, seizing opportunities, being energized by growing a business instead of operating a business, and being life-long learners.
Women business owners continue to be inspired to work harder in order to grow their businesses and reach new levels. Each year women-owned businesses are persistently strong, making their own undeniable mark on the economy. Even during a downturn, women are thinking ahead, and 37% of women business owners are planning to pass their business on to their daughter(s) in the future, ensuring women-owned businesses will be sticking around for a long time.
Susan Gunelius
Susan Gunelius is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Women on Business. She is a 30-year veteran of the marketing field and has authored a dozen books about marketing, branding, and social media, including the highly popular Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing, 30-Minute Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing for Dummies, Blogging All-in-One for Dummies and Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps. Susan’s marketing-related content can be found on Entrepreneur.com, Forbes.com, MSNBC.com, BusinessWeek.com, and more. Susan is President & CEO of KeySplash Creative, Inc., a marketing communications company. She has worked in corporate marketing roles and through client relationships with AT&T, HSBC, Citibank, Intuit, The New York Times, Cox Communications, and many more large and small companies around the world. Susan also speaks about marketing, branding and social media at events around the world and is frequently interviewed by television, online, radio, and print media organizations about these topics. She holds an MBA in Management and Strategy and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).
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I am interested in any stastistics you might have on ‘women holding leadership positions’ around the country to include those in Las Vegas. Please keep me posted of any upcoming events.