Women at the head of small businesses: what’s the current status?

BDC Small Business Week, taking place from October 19 to 25, 2025, is a worthy opportunity to take a step back and assess the current landscape for female entrepreneurs. While entrepreneurship seems to have picked up steam since the pandemic, here’s a closer look at the realities for women running small businesses.

New business owners are predominantly male

The number of small and medium-sized businesses is on the rise in several regions. However, in recent years, the percentage of new businesses owned by females has been reportedly in decline. The reality is that being a business owner is challenging, and women continue to face unique challenges in this area.

Persistent prejudices, such as the belief that men are inherently better suited to run businesses, continue to have an impact. Such attitudes undermine women’s confidence and affect how investors perceive them. Additionally, societal pressure and gender stereotypes surrounding domestic and family roles increase the mental burden on women.

Supporting female entrepreneurship

Many women-led small businesses are thriving, but society has a part to play in encouraging even more women to start their own businesses. This begins with ensuring equitable access to funding from investors and financial institutions. Furthermore, political leaders must focus on creating programs and systems that address the challenges many women face.

Do you want to support women’s entrepreneurship in your area? Research local women-led businesses and find ways to help them grow!