Women have owned businesses for a long time. Yes, women have moved into the driving seat of various interesting business ventures, both large and small. In total, today there are 13.8 million businesses owned by women in the world.
Let’s look at some awesome businesses owned by women and find some motivation in their stories.
1. Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Inc.
Owners: Howard and Anne Freyvogel Hanna
Estimated annual revenue: $1.1 billion (2023)
Howard and Anne Freyvogel developed Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. Howard’s intimate understanding of the real estate world and Anne’s proficiency in advertising and public relations make them an unbeatable team. Consequently, they were able to set up one of the biggest privately owned real estate companies in the U.S. Moving towards perfection and providing the best customer service possible. The couple made numerous people achieve their dream homes.
The Hanna Family of Companies proudly provides real estate, title, insurance, and mortgage services to clients in 47 countries. Today, the company has more than 480 offices and 15,000 sales associates and staff, including many of the top-producing real estate, title, mortgage, and insurance agents.
2. 23andMe
Owners: Anne Wojcicki
Estimated annual revenue: $0.24 billion (2023)
Anne E. Wojcicki, an American businesswoman and one of the co-founders of 23andMe, was born on July 28, 1973 in Rochester, New York. 23andMe is a social networking website that serves as a genealogy service launched by Anne Wojcicki, Linda Avevey, and Paul Cusenza.
Mrs. Anne Wojcicki has held different positions, including being the CEO of Google and now she is the CEO of Alpavorski LL association, which shows how giftedly she manages all her firms as a woman. Out of her innovative spirit, she can also claim credit for the LabRat Nation community movement aimed at promoting scientific culture among young people. Besides this, she has been one of the co-founders of the Breakthrough Prize, an award that seeks to recognize outstanding achievements by researchers in the life sciences.
Anne’s goal was audacious: to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome and fundamentally change healthcare in the process.
3. Canva
Owners: Melanie Perkins
Estimated annual revenue: $1.7 billion (2023)
Melanie Perkins is an Australian tech entrepreneur. She is the CEO and co-founder of Canva along with Cliff Obrecht. 18% of the company belongs to her. Perkin’s is one of the youngest female CEOs of a tech startup valued at over $1 billion. In 2021, Australia recognized her as one of its wealthiest females.
Canva was launched in the year 2013. It is an online design and visual communication platform with a mission to empower everyone in the world to design anything, anywhere in the world.
4. Orangetheory Fitness
Owners: Ellen Latham
Estimated annual revenue: $1.9 billion (2023)
Ellen is a highly trained physiologist in health and fitness. Her desire to be on the cutting edge of fitness inspired her to design “The Ultimate Workout,” which became the foundation for Orangetheory Fitness. She is a Partner and Founder of Orangetheory Fitness, and the Owner of Ellen’s Ultimate Workout gym in Florida, demonstrating her leadership in businesses owned by women. Inspired by her father Arthur Calandrelli, a very popular Physical Education teacher and coach in Niagara Falls, NY, Ellen has been motivating and training clients for over 35 years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Buffalo in New York.
Ellen has played a key role in fostering a supportive community within Orangetheory fitness network. Through her leadership and commitment, she has helped to cultivate a culture of empowerment and accountability. This inspires both members and staff to strive for their best selves.
5. SPANX
Owners: Sara Blakely
Estimated annual revenue: $400 million (2023)
Sara Treleaven Blakely, born on February 27, 1971, is a businesswoman who helps people. She is famous for her company SPANX, which sells specialized garments like pants and leggings in Atlanta, Georgia. Time magazine placed her in the top 100 most influential people globally. Similarly, Forbes recognized her as among the 2014 most powerful women.
As a founder, she used her groundbreaking products to change the shapewear industry. Blakely had started Spanx because she only came up with a simple idea of creating comfy and workable shapewear. She was involved in every aspect of its operation. She used her savings to establish her own company. Her efforts helped make it an outstanding and popular brand.
6. Stitch Fix
Owners: Katrina Lake
Estimated annual revenue: $1.53 billion(2023)
Katrina Lake is an American Businesswoman who is the founder and CEO of Stitch Fix which is an online personal shopping service. Stitch Fix was created in San Francisco in 2011 and went public in 2017.
Now let’s talk about how Katrina Lake services help us through Stitch Fix. Stitch Fix is an online website service that helps you find the perfect fit for your clothes. It uses sophisticated computer algorithms to suggest clothing items tailored to your fashion preferences, and body measurements in your selected cost range.
In 2023, the total revenue generated by the company is $1.6 billion. The company’s headquarters is situated in California, San Francisco, and employs 5,860 people worldwide.
7. Biocon
Owners: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Estimated annual revenue: $2.6 billion(2024)
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is one of India’s most successful businesswomen. She was a former head of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. People consider her a genius as she was awarded a notable prize in 2014 for her work in science and chemistry.
She has converted a tenacious interest in biotechnology into a venture called Biocon Limited. Biocon transforms the lives of people with cancer through world-class cancer care therapies. It is at the forefront of finding cures for cancer and has introduced many transformational life-saving therapies, both biosimilars and novel biologics.
8. ActOne Group
Owners: Janice Bryant Howroyd
Estimated annual revenue: $1 billion(2023)
Janice Bryant Howroyd (born Sept 1, 1952) is a triumphant businesswoman, author, and industrialist. She is the CEO of the ActOne Group. She is the first black woman ever to own a business worth more than a million dollars, underscoring the significant milestone achieved in businesses owned by women.
ActOne Group is a global enterprise providing employment, workforce management, and procurement solutions to industries. Today, it is operating in 33 countries across the world and has 2600 employees worldwide.
9. Oxygen Media
Owners: Oprah Winfrey
Estimated annual revenue: $2.8 billion (2024)
Oprah Winfrey is a well-known American anchorwoman, producer, performer, and entrepreneur. Her program “The Oprah Winfrey Show” gained great popularity and lasted 25 years from 1986 to 2011. She became recognized as the wealthiest African American with a net worth that surpassed any other black billionaire worldwide.
Her Company Oxygen Media operates in New York, that broadcasts news, shows, and entertainment programs, representing one of the most successful businesses owned by women.
10. Parkwood Entertainment
Owners: Beyoncé Knowles
Estimated annual revenue: $800 million (2024)
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is a well-known American singer, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur. She was admired for her beautiful voice and captivating performances. One of her ventures, Parkwood Entertainment, is a prime example of a businesses owned by women. It plays a crucial role in managing Beyonce’s music career and other projects.
Parkwood Entertainment is responsible for overseeing something Parkwoods, such as its movies, fashion line, and philanthropic endeavors.
Bottom Line
Women are proving that they can successfully manage large companies across the globe. From real estate to entertainment industries, women have come a long way. In such, isn’t it wild to think that only men can be bosses? Women have smashed all boundaries showing that they have what it takes to head different lines of business.
So, let’s stand behind the businesses owned by women! They are awesome, they are changing the game, and they deserve our support. When we empower these businesses, indirectly we’re helping to create a fairer and prosperous world for everyone.
