For years, men have been dominating the business world and holding the top spots on leading boards; however, with the rise of powerful women like Estée Lauder and Coco Chanel, a new era has begun for businesswomen globally. These women have inspired other females to break through the glass ceiling and achieve success in previously male-dominated industries.
In today’s business world, women are becoming increasingly successful in various industries – from publishing and technology to fashion and beauty, female entrepreneurs are making their mark on the world. To inspire you to achieve your own business goals, we’ve compiled a list of the top 20 female entrepreneurs worldwide!
Huda Kattan
Company/Brand: Huda Beauty
Net Worth: $490 million
Age: 37
Huda Kattan is a well-known beauty mogul who started her empire after quitting her finance job in Dubai. As a freelance makeup artist, she struggled to find top-quality false eyelashes, so she decided to start making her own. Her faux minx and synthetic eyelashes quickly became popular after being featured on Kim Kardashian, selling out within day one. Huda Beauty has since expanded to include skincare products with the launch of her latest range, Wishful. Promoting healthy and natural skin, this line has also been a huge success. There is no doubt that Huda Kattan is a force to be reckoned with in the beauty industry!
Sophia Amoruso
Company/Brand: Nasty Gal and Girlboss Media
Net Worth: $5 million
Age: 37
Sophia Amoruso has faced many challenges while building her firm but has persevered and created an impressive brand for millennials. Despite difficulties, she has managed to create a successful company that is an excellent role model for other young entrepreneurs.
Sophia Amoruso is a true rags-to-riches story. She went from working retail to becoming the CEO of her own company, Nasty Gal. But in 2015, after stepping down as the CEO of Nasty Gal, Sophia Amoruso witnessed the firm file for bankruptcy.
This was only a setback, though, as she went on to launch Girlboss, a website dedicated to empowering and advising women on beauty, wellness, careers, and so on. Even though her net worth dropped from $280 million in 2016 to just $5 million as of today, Amoruso’s entrepreneurial spirit got her a place on our list!
Arianna Huffington
Company/Brand: Thrive Global
Net Worth: $100 million
Age: 71
Huffington is known for her work in digital media, having co-founded the prominent news website HuffPost. In recent years, she has turned her focus to writing books, including her most recent release, The Sleep Revolution. Further, along with her literary endeavors, Huffington also runs the wellness website Thrive Global, offering a six-week course to help improve the overall well-being of people. Huffington is clearly passionate about helping others live their best lives, both mentally and physically.
Tory Burch
Company/Brand: Tory Burch
Net Worth: $900 million
Age: 55
After spending time working in some of the major fashion houses worldwide, including Vera Wang, Loewe, and Polo Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch decided to venture out on her own and start her own label. She started her namesake fashion brand in 2004; it has gone on to be a massive success due to its unique and trendsetting designs.
Burch became interested in philanthropy after making a name for herself, and she established the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in order to support women with cancer and raise awareness about the disease among young women.
Vera Wang
Company/Brand: Vera Wang
Net Worth: $500 million
Age: 72
Vera Wang was a bit later to start her fashion label than some of the other ladies on this list. She didn’t design her first wedding dress until she was 40 years old. However, she had good connections from working at Vogue magazine and was able to make her brand successful. Now her company designs everything from clothes to jewelry to kitchenware and home goods, and she is a well-known name in the fashion industry.
JK Rowling
Company/Brand: Novelist, screenwriter, and film producer
Net Worth: $60 million
Age: 56
JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series is one of the most beloved book franchises of all time. However, it almost didn’t happen. When Rowling was trying to get her first book published, she faced a lot of rejection and obstacles. But she didn’t give up! Eventually, she found a publisher who believed in her work, and the rest is history. The Harry Potter books have sold millions of copies, been turned into blockbuster movies, and inspired theme parks all over the world. All because JK Rowling never gave up on her dream.
Cath Kidston
Company/Brand: Cath Kidston
Net Worth: $1 million
Age: 63
Cath Kidston is a British designer who is best known for her vintage-inspired homeware and fashion. After working in furniture design, she launched her own business in 1993, selling her unique, British-style designs. Vintage styles soon started becoming popular again a few years later, and Cath Kidston’s store quickly gained success. Today, her brand is recognized and loved by many people in Britain.
Martha Stewart
Company/Brand: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
Net Worth: $400 million
Age: 80
Martha Stewart first gained fame as a celebrity chef, with several successful cookbooks and a regular column in various magazines. She consolidated all her businesses under the umbrella of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 1997. Since then, she has expanded into television and radio but remains most well-known for her culinary accomplishments.
Sara Blakely
Company/Brand: Spanx
Net Worth: $750 billion
Age: 50
When Sara Blakely was trying to launch her Spanx brand, she didn’t have much money to invest and faced continuous rejection from potential investors. However, once Oprah Winfrey acknowledged her business concept in public, things started to pick up for the company. Thanks to Oprah’s endorsement, people began to take Blakely and her brand more seriously, which helped her get the company off the ground.
Angie Hicks
Company/Brand: ANGI Homeservices
Net Worth: $200 million
Age: 47 or 48
When you’re in the middle of an emergency, the last thing you want to do is spend time trying to find a reputable service provider. Angie Hicks realized there was a gap in the market for a service that could help people find what they need quickly and easily; hence, she created Angie’s List.
With Angie’s List, you can find the perfect household service provider for your needs with just a few clicks. No more worrying about whether or not you’re getting the best possible service – with Angie’s List, you can rest assured knowing that you are.
Cher Wang
Company/Brand: HTC Corporation
Net Worth: $850 million
Age: 62
Cher Wang founded the tech firm HTC, a billion-dollar company that creates new smartphones. Despite market slumps in recent years, Wang is determined to revive the business by creating innovative new devices. HTC’s success under Wang’s leadership is a testament to her business acumen and creative vision. Thanks to her efforts, the company is once again thriving, and sales are on the rise.
Denise Coates
Company/Brand: Bet365
Net Worth: $6.1 billion
Age: 53
Denise Coates is the owner of Bet365, one of the largest online betting sites worldwide. She developed and launched the site in just one year, using a loan of $20 million from the Royal Bank of Scotland. Because of her innovative vision and strong work ethic, Denise has turned Bet365 into a hugely successful business. Her story is an inspiring example of what can be achieved with dedication and determination.
Jennifer Hyman
Company/Brand: Rent the Runway
Net Worth: $300 million
Age: 41
Jennifer Hyman’s company, Rent the Runway, has found a niche in the market by making designer dresses affordable to everyone. The subscription package lets you rent a dress, wear it to any event and then return it in a prepaid envelope. This genius idea has made Rent the Runway a success by catering to those who want to feel like Carrie Bradshaw without spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a dress they will only wear once.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Company/Brand: Biocon
Net Worth: $3.7 billion
Age: 68
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in India. She is the founder of Biocon, a leading biopharmaceutical company that operates in more than 120 countries around the world. Kiran is also known for her philanthropic work, which includes supporting several causes and charities.
Rihanna
Company/Brand: Fenty Skin, Fenty Beauty, and Savage x Fenty
Net Worth: $600 million
Age: 33
Rihanna, known for her stage presence and powerful performances, is now an entrepreneurial icon. She started her own beauty line, Fenty Beauty, which includes a 40-shade foundation range that has made her notable in the beauty industry.
Rihanna also owns Fenty House and Fenty x Savage with LVMH. She is the only artist associated with the company that also manages high-end brands such as Dior and Givenchy. Rihanna’s most recent skincare line is usable for all skin types and has been met with much success.
Yang Lan
Company/Brand: Sun Media Group
Net Worth: $3.8 billion
Age: 53
As one of the most successful media moguls in China, Yang Lan has built up an impressive media empire that includes the Sun Media Group. Not only is she a successful businesswoman, but she’s also a well-known talk show hostess and journalist. She has interviewed some of the world’s most famous figures, including Hillary Clinton, Keanu Reeves, and Bill Gates. Her success is undeniable, and she continues to be a powerful force in the Chinese media landscape.
Oprah Winfrey
Company/Brand: Harpo Productions
Net Worth: $2.5 billion
Age: 67
Oprah Winfrey is a powerful and successful woman who has overcome many obstacles in her life. She founded Harpo Productions, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, and the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
Oprah comes from a poor background, but she has worked hard to build an empire – she started her career as a news anchor, and then she got her own talk show. Philanthropy is important to Oprah, and she has invested a lot of time and money into helping others. As a highly influential woman, Oprah is an inspiration to us all.
Kylie Jenner
Company/Brand: Kylie Skin and Kylie Cosmetics
Net Worth: $620 million
Age: 24
Kylie Jenner is one of the most successful young entrepreneurs in the world; at only 21 years old, she has built two extremely successful beauty brands – Kylie Skin and Kylie Cosmetics. What makes her even more impressive is that her businesses have developed and grown at a much faster rate in comparison to any other beauty brand that has come before her. This speaks to Jenner’s exceptional business strategy and ability to connect with her audience. There is no doubt that she will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come!
Sofia Vergara
Company/Brand: EBY
Net Worth: $180 million
Age: 49
Famously known for her role as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on the ABC sitcom Modern Family, Sofia Vergara is also a savvy entrepreneur. In 2019, she co-founded EBY, a subscription-based underwear company that donates 10% of its profits to women in need of financial assistance.
Made with seamless comfort in mind, EBY’s selection of undergarments comes in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit all body types. With its philanthropic business model, the company has helped countless women around the world achieve economic independence.
Beyoncé Knowles
Company/Brand: IVY Park
Net Worth: $440 million
Age: 39
Beyoncé’s career started in music, but she has since become a successful entrepreneur in other areas as well. In addition to her musical talents, Beyoncé has also been successful in fashion with her lines House of Deréon, Ivy Park, and her very own fragrance line.
However, she has not forgotten her roots and remains true to her history. In 2019, Beyoncé made history as the first black woman to headline the Coachella music festival. This was a significant moment not only for her but also for female empowerment as a whole. Beyoncé is an inspiration to many and continues to break barriers in whatever she does.
Final Thoughts
Building your own business from the ground up is no easy feat. But these successful business women serve as proof that, with enough passion and hard work, anyone can achieve their dreams. These inspiring ladies have built successful companies through dedication and resilience, showing that anything is possible with a little elbow grease.
FAQs
How did these women start their businesses?
Many of these women started their businesses with little money and a lot of hard work. They bootstrapped their way to success, proving that anything is possible with enough grit and determination.
Some of them even turned personal struggles into business opportunities, using their experiences as fuel to drive them forward. Whatever their story may be, these women are all inspirational examples of what can be accomplished through determination and perseverance.
What challenges did they face along the way?
Starting and running a business is never easy, and these women faced plenty of challenges along the way. They had to overcome obstacles such as limited access to capital, gender discrimination, and lack of experience, but they didn’t let that stop them. They worked hard and persevered until they achieved success.
How has their business grown over the years?
Their businesses have grown over the years due to their dedication and hard work. They have all been able to inspire others by showing that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. It does not matter where you come from or what your circumstances are; if you have a good idea and work hard enough, you can make it happen.
What is the most challenging thing about running a business?
There are many challenges associated with running a business, but one of the most difficult things to deal with is probably changes. Businesses must be adaptable in order to survive, and that can be tough when you’re used to doing things a certain way. Another challenge is maintaining cash flow – making sure you have enough money coming in to cover your expenses while also investing in the future of your company.
What drives them to continue growing their businesses?
These women are driven to continue growing their businesses because they are passionate about what they do and want to make a difference in the world. They also understand the importance of hard work and dedication and are constantly looking for ways to improve their businesses.
What are the most rewarding aspects of running our own business?
There are many rewarding aspects to running our own business, such as the ability to be our own boss, set our own hours, and the sense of accomplishment we feel when we achieve our goals. Another great reward is being able to see the tangible results of our hard work in the form of a successful business. Lastly, self-employment allows us to control our own destinies and create a life that we love living.
