Why So Few Women "Make It" in Business And Why That Does Not Have to Be You

There is a stat that has been floating around a lot online. Only 12% of female-owned businesses ever make it to $100K in annual revenue. Only half of those reach $250K. And just 2% hit the million-dollar mark.

Yikes, right? But here is the thing: while those numbers are true, they are not the whole truth. And the way I have seen them presented sometimes feels like it is suggesting men are actively working against us. And sure, sometimes that might be the case. But more often than not, there are a lot of other reasons behind these numbers.

After nearly 25 years of entrepreneurship and 7 years consulting primarily with women, I want to peel back what is really happening behind these stats. Because if you have ever looked at those numbers and thought, "Well, crap," I want to help you understand two things:

• Does this stat even apply to you?
• If it does, what can you do about it?

First: Business Is Hard, for Everyone

A big reason so few women hit these revenue milestones? Because so few people hit them in general. Business is hard. Full stop. Yes, women face unique challenges. But that does not mean men have it easy. It just means their obstacles look different.

And here is what I really want to stress: stop looking at "us vs. them" and start looking at YOU. What you need. What you are facing. What is your next step?

If you only focus on global issues, you will feel overwhelmed and powerless. But if you focus on your next right step, you will feel momentum.

Female-Owned Businesses Are Actually Doing Better in Some Areas

Let us break down one of those stats you may have heard.

The National Women's Business Council reported that 82.2% of women-owned employer firms have fewer than 10 employees. Some folks look at that and go, "Ugh, see? We are not building big businesses."

But here is the full picture. In the entire U.S., 81% of businesses are solopreneurs, and 10 to 12% are microbusinesses (with 1 to 9 employees). So that 82% stat for women? It is actually on par or better than the national average.

Stats are only useful when you understand the context. And they definitely do not determine how you will do.

So Why Are Men Out-Earning Women? Let Us Talk Theories and Solutions

Based on my experience and what I have seen in my work with women business owners, here are three big reasons that might explain the revenue gap, and what you can do about each one.

Theory 1: Women Start Different Kinds of Businesses

Most people start businesses based on their skills, experience, and interests. Many women choose personal service-based businesses, things like skincare, massage, child care, coaching, or virtual assistance.

These types of businesses often:

• Involve one-to-one work
• Limit how much you can earn per client
• Require your time to deliver the service

Meanwhile, fewer women are starting scalable or tech-based businesses, the ones that more often reach high-revenue marks.

Yes, this can be due to cultural conditioning. But for a lot of women I have worked with, it is also intentional. Many start businesses for flexibility, to stay home with their kids, or to prioritize lifestyle over hustle. And there is nothing wrong with that.

The Solution: pick a business model that matches your goals and values, and that also has the potential to reach those goals.

Rule 1 of business? You make the rules. Whether your dream is $50K or $5M, align your business with what you want. Just make sure the business model can support it.

Theory 2: Hormones Matter More Than We Think

This might rub some people the wrong way, but hear me out: hormones play a role in how we show up.

Men have a 24-hour hormonal cycle. Every morning, they reset. Women? We have a 28-day cycle, and it affects:

• Energy
• Motivation
• Clarity
• Focus

Half the month, we are not functioning the same way. And when we try to hustle like men, our bodies often pay the price. Especially since women are 4x more likely to develop autoimmune conditions under chronic stress.

The Solution: start by tracking your energy and motivation. See if you notice monthly patterns. Then explore:

• Cycle syncing (adjusting tasks to suit different parts of your cycle, realistically)
• The book Biohack Like a Woman
• Nervous system regulation techniques
• Daily wellness habits that fuel your energy and prevent burnout
• Hiring help (as soon as you are profitable) to get draining tasks off your plate

You are not "less than." You are just working with a different operating system. Learn how to support it.

Theory 3: We Have Been Conditioned to Fear Success

Here is the hard truth: many women are afraid to succeed. We have been conditioned to:

• People-please
• Avoid conflict
• Be "nice," not "bossy"
• Worry about what others think
• Avoid being "too much"

That conditioning does not just hold us back from selling or marketing. It keeps us quiet. It makes us play small.

The Solution:

Normalize your goals. Surround yourself with people, stories, podcasts, and examples that reflect what you are working toward. If everyone around you thinks you are crazy, you will start to believe it too. So change the room.

Rewire your mindset. Work on beliefs, thoughts, and emotional regulation. Whether it is therapy, coaching, or personal development, you can change how you think and feel.

Build your skills. If you feel awkward selling, maybe it is just a skills gap. Learn the skills. Practice them. Confidence does not come from learning alone. It comes from action.

"Action is the antidote to despair." (Joan Baez)

Find community. You are not meant to do this alone. Research shows community and mentorship make a huge difference in your success. If you need that space, check out my free mastermind: The Multi-6 Mastermind.

You Need to Hear This the Most

Look, the stats might seem bleak, but they do not have to be your story.

Your life is different. Your goals, your values, your needs. They are different. And your path will be too. But different does not mean less-than. It just means you will build it your way.

Forget the stats. Forget the expectations. Forget the comparisons.

Focus on your life. Your business. Your next step. Solve the problems in front of you. And know this: you have probably done harder things than this. You can do this too.

Fist bump. You got this.

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