Facts about Women Owned Businesses

Increasingly, corporations understand the economic power of this growing and dynamic market of women-owned businesses. The most successful corporations now see women-owned businesses as a key target of their marketing and procurement efforts.

Women-owned businesses represent 38% of all businesses in the United States. Those with 100 or more employees are growing at six times the rate of the overall economy.

As of 1999, there are 9.1 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., employing over 27.5 million people and generating over $3.6 trillion in sales.

Between 1987 and 1999, the number of women-owned firms increased by 103% nationwide, employment increased by 320%, and sales grew by 436%.

Nearly 72% of women business owners have investments in stocks, bonds or mutual funds, compared to 58% of working women.

The top growth industries for women-owned businesses between 1987 and 1999 were construction, wholesale trade, transportation/communications, agribusiness, and manufacturing.

Employment and revenue growth far surpasses the increase in the number of women-owned firms, demonstrating that these businesses are an increasingly substantial economic force.

Women-owned businesses are as financially sound and cred`itworthy as the typical firm in the U.S. economy, and are more likely to remain in business than the average U.S. firm.

As of 1998, just over half of women- and men-owned businesses - 52% and 59%, respectively - have bank financing. However, women entrepreneurs have lower levels of available credit than their male counterparts.

Business women – both entrepreneurs and employees- are the primary decision-makers 2/3 or more of the time when purchasing a variety of household goods and services, ranging from telecommunications and insurance to clothing.

86% of women entrepreneurs say they use the same products and services at home that they do in their business, for familiarity and convenience.

When making purchasing and other decisions, women business owners are more likely than men entrepreneurs to seek advice from associates and advisors; they place more emphasis on quality, service and vendor reputation.

Women are active Internet users, yet women business owners are much more likely than employees to make purchases online – 57% vs 40%


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