One recent study found that female-led businesses generated 12% higher revenues annually, and another into female entrepreneurs & business owners observed that female-led startups were quicker to adapt and more solution-focused, and that women leaders were better at multitasking.
And since COVID has forced all companies to have to adapt, maybe 2021 is going to be the year female founders get their true recognition?
Here’s are some businesses with talented women at the helm that I think will deliver incredible things in the year ahead.
I’m a passionate advocate for financial literacy and independence in women, and Blossom App is ALL about that. Officially launched by Gaby Rosenberg just one month ago, this hot new FinTech start-up helps Millennials (primarily targeting women) build and foster healthy savings habits. Through Blossom, you can make investments easily and safely, even if you only have $1 to start with Not only can it help you be smarter with your savings, but it can help you set and hit your savings goals, with a very interactive interface that shows your flower growing (or ‘Blossoming’) over time as you save and earn more. Their aim is to help you earn a 3% p.a. return on your money, way more than you’d earn having it sit in a bank savings account, or under your mattress! The best bit? You don’t pay any fees until they pay you the 3% and they plant a tree when you first fund your account! As a majority female owned and run business, I can’t wait to see them GROW… Sign me up!
Founded by Deb Morrison, PetCloud is like Airbnb, TripAdvisor or UBER for pets— offering a range of services including pet sitting, house-sitting, dog walking, doggy day care and pet taxis.
PetCloud CEO and founder Deb Morrison came up with the idea when she couldn’t find anyone to look after her dog while travelling for work. She sold her home to fund the launch of the site in 2015 and with RSPCA Queensland onboard as a partner, PetCloud has become one of Australia’s most trusted pet sitting platforms.
With pet ownership on the rise, spending is also up. Overall spending on pets in Australia has gone up every year since '94 and has grown 4.6% annually over the past 10 years, three times faster than overall consumer spending. Forecasts predict the global pet care market annual spend will reach A$465 billion by 2027 - a compound annual growth rate of 6%. Definitely one to watch!
I had the pleasure of meeting the incredible sisters Lucy & Rosie Thomas at an event last year, and was floored by their passion, determination and understanding of the anti bullying space. Project Rokit is an interactive anti-bullying and youth leadership program that is run by young people for young people, with both in person and online events and initiatives. They’ve secured a $1m partnership with Facebook & Instagram as part of an initiative to reduce online bullying. But not to stop there, both Lucy & Rosie have been awarded OAM’s (order of Australia Medals) for their work in the anti bullying space. Fearless female founders doing something amazing for society? We’re all about that.
This social media scheduling app has seen year on year growth since its launch, and stands out in the space by being completely bootstrapped by founder Christy Laurence. Not only is it one of the most affordable social scheduling tools in market (at only $7/month) but it has a raft of tools like analytics, image editing tools, and a partnership with Canva. Christy was also voted Businesswoman of the Year 2020 by CEO Today Magazine, so we think she knows a thing or two ;)
Now I might be biased as Adore do book a plethora of models from theright.fit, but it has been incredible to watch Kate Morris build and grow the Adore Beauty business, right through to their very successful IPO this year. Adore Beauty is now Australia’s number one pure play online beauty retailer, and an official stockist of over 260 leading beauty brands, and over 11,000 products!
Beauty junkie Kate Morris founded the business at just 21 years old, from her Melbourne garage, with $12,000 she borrowed from her boyfriend’s parents - I bet they are very happy with their investment now! Kate has received many awards and accolades, and was inducted into the Australian Businesswomen’s Network Hall of Fame in 2015. We’re excited to see where to next with this business, especially with COVID bringing out the skin care addiction in all of us!
If you know any other fantastic female founders, pop their names & companies in the comments below.