Yes, the number is relatively less if you compare women entrepreneurs with men. But women entrepreneurs creating ripples in various industries is not a new thing. From Estee Lauder and Coco Chanel in the cosmetics industry to Ruth Fertel in the steak house sector, plenty of women had a massive impact on various policies and strategies. In fact, some of them are still counted among the top 10 most successful women entrepreneurs.
List of Top 10 Most Successful Women Entrepreneurs:
- Zhang Xin
- Sherry Sandberg
- Folorunsho Alakija
- Susan Wojcicki
- Kiran Mazumder-Shaw
- Arianna Huffington
- Vera Wang
- Martha Stewart
- Oprah Winfrey
- Sara Blakely
However, the examples were not just some scattered incidents of the past. If you look at the present now, you will find a massive surge in the number of women helming businesses and taking decisive actions. The following list of the top 10 most successful women entrepreneurs will provide you with a glimpse of how women are changing the business scape.
1. Zhang Xin
Zhang Xin is the co-founder of SOHO China. The company has a substantial impact on the real-estate sector of China. It went public in 2007. But what impresses us is the accolades it has fetched for the Zhang Xin. She is now often credited as the “the woman who built Beijing.” Her life is equally inspiring- from a factory worker, she went on to earn laurels from Cambridge University and then worked with market heavyweights like Goldman Sachs.
Zhang Xin’s fortune has crossed the $3.5Bn mark.
2. Sherry Sandberg
Sherry Sandberg is making some impressive changes in Facebook as its COO (Chief Operating Officer). But she is also the founder of Leanin.org, a platform dedicated to women. She has an MBA degree from the Harvard University. A close look at various Facebook strategies reveals how much she has improved Facebook’s position. After she became a board member of Facebook, the user count has increased by 10x and it is now making a huge profit from this change in dynamics.
Sherry Sandberg’s net worth has touched $1.6Bn and she is a prominent face in Forbes list of powerful women.
3. Folorunsho Alakija
Folorunsho Alakija is one of the wealthiest African entrepreneurs. Born in Nigeria, she has completed her studies at Pitman’s central college, London. She is a known name in industries like fashion, printing, and real estate. She started her career by launching a fashion label. In 1993, when she began to diversify, her company won an oil prospecting license from the government. The government later turned it into an oil mining lease.
According to Forbes, Folorunsho’s net worth is now $1Bn.
4. Susan Wojcicki
Susan Wojcicki is of Polish-American descent. She has an MS degree from Harvard University. At present, she holds the post of CEO at YouTube. The popular video uploading platform has over 2 billion monthly users and its net worth is around $90Bn at present. Susan also has experience of working in multinationals like Intel as a management consultant.
In 2019, Forbes ranked her 12th in the list of most powerful women in the world.
5. Kiran Mazumder-Shaw
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the wealthiest Indian self-made woman with a net worth of $4.1Bn thus making her a sure shot presence among the top 10 most successful women entrepreneurs. She is the founder of Biocon, which has contributed significantly to the biopharma segment since its inception. The journey of the company is like rags to riches story. Kiran started her company from a rented shed and then it became India’s largest listed biopharma.
Biocon went public in 2004 and reached $1Bn on its first trading day.
Related: 50 Most Powerful Brands in the World
6. Arianna Huffington
Arianna Huffington is the name behind The Huffington Post. She launched it in 2005, which she then sold to AOL in 2011. However, she went on to guide the brand’s overseas growth. In 2016, she launched her own health and wellness startup, Thrive Global, where she acts as the CEO. Arianna is Greek by birth, but when she was 16, she moved to England, where she earned her BA degree in Economics from Cambridge University. She also serves as a board member of several other brands like Uber, Onex, and Global Citizen.
7. Vera Wang
When it comes to following your heart, age is not a factor. Vera Wang is a living example of this belief. She is a late bloomer. She only realized her potential as a designer when she started designing her own wedding dress at the age of 40. In this new innings, her time at the Vogue magazine came in handy. It helped her with all the needed contacts to start a fashion label. Now her company Vera Wang has a portfolio covering designs of jewelry and homeware to apparel and accessories.
8. Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart became a household name with her cookbooks and writing columns. She is a celebrity chef and has garnered significant accolades from diverse segments. In 1997, she decided to bring all her sections under one big umbrella and that is when she started Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.
Martha’s net worth is well over $638Mn.
9. Oprah Winfrey
In the entertainment industry, she is enormous. Her media empire is booming. She started as a TV host and then became the co-founder of Oxygen Media, a cable station where she hosted her show till 2011. She then moved on to launch OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, where she is the CEO. Her net worth, according to Forbes magazine, is around $2.6Bn.
10. Sara Blakely
It was just a handful of dollars, motivation, and a unique idea that helped Sara Blakely launch her brand Spanx. Spanx is an undergarments brand for men and women, but to launch it, Sara had to face several rejections. However, with Oprah’s backing, she got the momentum. Today, her net worth has crossed $1Bn, making her part of the top 10 most successful women entrepreneurs.
-
What are the key qualities that make a successful woman entrepreneur?
– Successful women entrepreneurs often possess a combination of qualities, including resilience, adaptability, strong communication skills, and a passion for their business. They are also willing to take calculated risks, have a clear vision, and a strong work ethic. Networking and seeking mentorship can further enhance their journey to success
-
What resources and support networks are available for aspiring woman entrepreneurs?
– Aspiring women entrepreneurs have access to various resources and support networks. They can join women-focused entrepreneurial organizations and attend workshops and conferences. Additionally, government initiatives, grants, and incubators offer financial and educational support. Seeking mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs can also be invaluable in their entrepreneurial journey.
