The Future is Female: Celebrating Women-Owned Businesses & Female Founders

“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”

I love this quote from the late great Madeleine Albright, and I think about it frequently.

In that spirit, and in honor of Women’s History Month, I'd like to shine the spotlight on a few of my favorite #WomenOwned businesses.

Women entrepreneurs, including the amazing women highlighted below, are creating jobs, building wealth, solving problems, innovating solutions, and making a positive impact on their communities and the world at large. They are also inspiring the next generation of female leaders to pursue their dreams and passions. 

The Startup Ladies ( Kristen Cooper ) - Teaching, encouraging, inspiring, and empowering women entrepreneurs with the tools & connections needed for success. Also a wonderful champion for social progress, LGBTQ+ rights, and marginalized communities across the Midwest, and beyond.

Boldthink® ( Theresa Goodwin ) – A fantastic brand advisory & strategy team. I engaged them to help refine my personal “why” and the strategy behind my new business (details coming soon!), and they are wonderful to work with in every way.   

Practically Speaking ( Alex Perry ) – Awesome communication & speaking coach, author, and all-around inspirational human being. I engaged Alex to help me take my public speaking from ‘good’ to ‘great,’ and she is amazing!

Tanorria's Table ( Tanorria Askew Nickson ) - Personal chef, food creative, public speaker, podcast co-host, DE&I consultant, and racial injustice change-maker. Tannoria is an absolute force of nature.

Bedel Financial Consulting ( Elaine Bedel, CFP® ) – Top-notch financial planning and investment management firm helping clients achieve their financial goals across all life stages. Bedel is perhaps the single best financial decision I ever made. 

Indy Maven ( Leslie Bailey ) - A gathering place for bold women, an awesome event and co-working space, and an amazing community for women in the Indy region. Also, their weekly newsletter is the bomb dot com.

Prima Dona ( Dona Sarkar ) - Accessibility expert, fashion mogul, and Queen of the Side Hustle. Dona gave me the kick-in-the-pants I needed to launch my own side hustle and recognize my worth on the public speaking circuit. This woman is amazing, and I love how she champions others.

Katy The K9 Keeper ( Katy (Cannady) Cummins ) – The very best dog-sitting service in the world (and how lucky we are to have her here in Indiana!). Keeps my pup safe, happy, and healthy whenever I’m out of town.

Silver in the City ( Kristin Kohn ) – My favorite go-to shop for fun, unique, and funky gifts & goods, and a beacon for social change and equity within our community.

Just Pop In! ( Carly Swift & Mandy Selke) – Hands down the best popcorn on the planet ("Indy Style" gets my vote!), and their café in Broad Ripple is downright dreamy. ‘Nuff said.

Beacon Beauty Consulting ( Ashley Renee Salazar ) – I’m clueless when it comes to hair and makeup, and Ashley is a miracle-worker of a stylist with an incredible talent for teaching & consulting.

These talented business owners are carving out their niche and making their way in the world, and in truth, they face far more barriers to entry and success than their male counterparts. According to Forbes.com, "there are nearly 13 million women-owned businesses in the U.S...represent[ing] 42% of all companies in the U.S. That means women own 4 out of 10 businesses, and these businesses generate about $1.8 trillion annually."

But challenges for women entrepreneurs persist, including gender bias, funding disparities and limited access to capital, lack of social and governmental support, and many others.

So, let’s give these women-owned businesses some love, and more importantly, some business - and let's keep it going long after Women's History Month is over.

Please share your favorite women-owned businesses in the comments, and let’s amplify these awesome women and their work!

* Disclaimer: No goods or services were received in exchange for these shout-outs.*