| • | 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.
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| • | 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.
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| • | Between 1987 and 1999, the number of women-owned firms increased by 103% nationwide, employment increased by 320%, and sales grew by 436%.
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| • | Nearly 72% of women business owners have investments in stocks, bonds or mutual funds, compared to 58% of working women.
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| • | The top growth industries for women-owned businesses between 1987 and 1999 were construction, wholesale trade, transportation/communications, agribusiness, and manufacturing.
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| • | 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.
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| • | 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.
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| • | 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.
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| • | 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.
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| • | 86% of women entrepreneurs say they use the same products and services at home that they do in their business, for familiarity and convenience.
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| • | 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.
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| • | 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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