While significant progress has been made in recent decades to promote gender equality in the workplace, women still face disproportionate barriers to advancing their careers and taking on leadership roles. But the tide is turning as more women entrepreneurs are launching their own companies and a new generation of leaders is advocating for change.
Why We Need More Female Leaders in Business
Female entrepreneurs are essential for building a more innovative and prosperous society, and one which is equal for all. When women occupy leadership roles, companies benefit from greater diversity of thought, experience and management style. Studies show that businesses with more women in senior positions and on boards of directors achieve higher returns, profitability and productivity.
Female founders also bring unique perspectives that lead to the creation of new products and business models. However, it’s been shown time and time again that women face disproportionate barriers in the workplace and even when launching their own companies. By achieving greater representation of women leaders and supporting female entrepreneurship, we unlock enormous social and economic potential.
Empowering women who become leaders and succeed as entrepreneurs benefit both business and society as a whole. When they are able to achieve their full potential, female leaders and entrepreneurs change the world for the better. These are just a few of 2023’s most enterprising and empowering female business founders.
Abby Moorcroft – Colourblind Zebra
Abby Moorcroft founded Colourblind Zebra, an organisation that designs badges to raise awareness of chronic illnesses and disabilities. The badges were designed to allow the wearer to discreetly signal if they need any assistance. Moorcroft was inspired to start Colourblind Zebra based on her own experiences living with a chronic medical condition. In addition to the badges, Abby has created other products like stickers, postcards and clothing to promote awareness of chronic illnesses and make others with medical conditions feel supported and understood. Colourblind Zebra is a business built around reducing the stigma of chronic illness and empowering those who have been diagnosed.
Shakera Tayub – Shaku
Shakera Tayub launched Shaku to continue her family’s legacy of dressmaking and to pursue her own passion for art and design. Making wearable pieces of art, her elegant accessories are made from unrivalled printing techniques and premium materials. What sets Shaku apart from other brands, however, is their commitment to sustainability and repurposing products. With an ethos of responsibility and conscious quality, Shaku adopts a slow fashion approach, with responsible manufacturing, ethical labour practices and garments that are intended to be passed on as heirlooms. In the age of fast fashion and excessive textile waste, Shaku’s desire to move to a more eco-friendly way of working is a step in the right direction.
Allegra Chapman – Watch this Sp_ce
An entrepreneur dedicated to empowering others, Allegra co-founded Watch This Sp_ce, a diversity and inclusion consultancy that helps organisations evaluate their current practices, envision a more equitable future and implement action plans for change. Allegra is also the founder of After Birth, an advocacy organisation that provides resources and support for new parents. By co-creating inclusive workplaces and amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups, Allegra enables meaningful social change. Her work is focused on building a more just and compassionate future for both businesses and families.
Andrine Allen – AA Educates
Andrine founded AA Educates, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering youth through education. Recognising that a child's life opportunities are too often limited by their family's socioeconomic status, Andrine started AA Educates to address educational inequities and help students reach their full potential regardless of background. Through AA Educates, Andrine is working to close achievement gaps by providing students with the support and resources they need to thrive academically. The programmes focus on helping students surpass their learning goals, stay engaged with their education and gain a deeper understanding of essential school subjects. By tackling unequal access to educational opportunities, AA Educates is changing lives and creating a fairer future for students from all walks of life.
Erim Kaur – ByErim
Erim Kaur is the founder and CEO of ByErim, a hair and beard oil brand, launched in honour of Kaur’s mother. Using her grandmother’s recipe and carefully chosen ingredients, Erim’s oils are designed to create healthier hair. ByErim was launched in 2019 after Erim saved £10k from working nightclub jobs, in response to the demand for natural hair products that protect the hair. It’s now one of the UK’s top five fastest-selling hair oils and is a multi-million-pound business. But Erim has also built a strong community around her brand and inspires young women every day via her social media platforms.
Charelle Griffith – PropelHer
PropelHer is a marketing training and mentoring company working with women the world over which was set up in 2015. Established by Charelle Griffith, who was named Blogger of the Year by DigitalWomen in 2020, PropelHer aims to support ambitious women who want to achieve more in their careers. Studies have shown that women are often held back from progressing in business. However, this company has set out to combat these issues and give women the tools and resources they need to succeed. From one-to-one mentoring to their Inner Circle community and a popular book club, this is a network that opens up more opportunities for women in business. In Charelle’s own words, she works “with amazing women who aren't ashamed of being ambitious and wanting to be better than average”.
These remarkable female entrepreneurs are leading the way in 2023. Spanning diverse industries and backgrounds, from mentoring and physical products to raising awareness of hidden issues, these inspirational women serve as catalysts for the next generation of aspiring entrepreneurs and contribute significantly to the dynamic business landscape of the UK. With exceptional business acumen and strategic thinking, alongside their admirable contributions to their communities, they’re an inspiration to any young entrepreneurs looking to build their own venture.
