"More women are starting their own businesses than ever-whether solo or with employees. According to May 2025 data from small business platform Gusto, in the last five years, there's been a huge leap in just how many women left their jobs to start their own business. In 2019, just 29% of new businesses were started by women. By 2024, that number was 49%. Moreover, over half (52%) of solopreneurs in the U.S. are now women."
"So, why are women so interested in steering their own ships? According to the May 2025 Gusto report, women crave a sense of autonomy. Almost three-quarters of women who started businesses in 2024 said they did so to have control over their own schedules. Likewise, 71% said they wanted to be their own boss. Meanwhile, men were more likely to cite earning more money as an incentive than women, with 35% pointing to increasing their income as a driving force compared to 29% of women."
Solopreneurship is growing nationwide with women increasing their share of new businesses dramatically. May 2025 Gusto data shows the share of new businesses started by women rose from 29% in 2019 to 49% in 2024, and women now account for 52% of U.S. solopreneurs. Women who started businesses in 2024 prioritized autonomy: nearly three-quarters sought control over their schedules and 71% wanted to be their own boss. Men were more likely to cite higher earnings as a motive (35% vs. 29%). Many female solopreneurs value integrating work and life and shaping emotional engagement and relationships through work.
Read at Fast Company
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