Research Summary

First Selection of Leading Women Entrepreneurs Worldwide

Center for Women’s Business Research  ·  April 14, 1997

“These women-owned enterprises represent a worldwide phenomenon. Collectively, they generate $139 billion U.S. dollars (USD) in revenue and employ over 150,000 people,” noted Susan Peterson, NFWBO Chair and President of a Washington, DC-based communication training firm. “Women-owned businesses are a substantial and growing economic force in the global marketplace.”

Over one in four of the leading women-owned companies have revenues in excess of $1 billion USD. The businesses are headquartered in 22 different countries and have plants and outlets in many more. They are in virtually every industry; 27% are in manufacturing, 25% in retail trade, 10% in real estate, and 18% own multi-industry conglomerates. Two-thirds are involved in international trade and over one-third are listed on their country’s stock exchange.

“This publication represents a landmark research effort,” explained Cherie Piebes, Global Market Executive, Women Entrepreneurs, IBM. “The profiles of these leading women entrepreneurs are quite inspirational. They show the strength of women entrepreneurs and the breadth of their achievements.”

“The profiles of these women business owners enhance the understanding of women’s entrepreneurship tremendously,” noted Joyce McLaughlin, Chief Financial Officer of The STAR Group. “Each of the 60 profiles in the report celebrates not only their individual achievements, but the accomplishments of millions of other women across the world who are starting and growing their businesses.”

Women business owners who were selected as Leading Women Entrepreneurs met the following criteria:

• be the largest shareholder or owner of a substantial business enterprise;
• have day-to-day management control of the business;
• show positive business growth over the past three-year period; and
• demonstrate leadership in their industry and/or community through civic service, economic development, or charitable activities.

The National Foundation for Women Business Owners the premier source of information and intelligence on women business owners and their enterprises worldwide has reported that entrepreneurship among women is a growing international trend. Across the world, women-owned firms typically comprise between 1/4 and 1/3 of the business population.

Research conducted or analyzed by NFWBO demonstrates that women in the U.S. and internationally are starting businesses at a faster rate than men, and that women-owned firms are making substantial contributions to the world’s economic and social fabric.

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The National Foundation for Women Business Owners (NFWBO) is the premier source of information and statistics on women business owners and their enterprises worldwide. NFWBO is a non-profit research and leadership development foundation focusing on women entrepreneurs. It is affiliated with the National Association of Women Business Owners, the U.S. member of an international organization of women business owner associations, Les Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises Mondiales (FCEM). NFWBO supports the growth of women business owners and their enterprises through conducting research, sharing information, and increasing knowledge.

• Facts About the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World
• Listing by Country of Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World and Women to Watch

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