Men have historically dominated businesses and industries. But women are now gaining access to more opportunities and empowerment, marking a new era for the world. As businesswomen or female entrepreneurs, women have genuinely risen in society as industry leaders and change-makers. Today, women can be seen leading thousands of employees across all industries, from fashion, beauty, technology, medicine to finance. They are carrying on the legacy of the women who paved the way for a brighter future. Here are some of the best women entrepreneurs in 2021, inspiring you to run the world the female way.
- Oprah
Oprah Winfrey is a media mogul, and billionaire philanthropist best known for her internationally renowned talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show, which aired for 25 seasons from 1986 to 2011. The same year her show ended, the media executive launched her television network called the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Oprah was born in the rural town of Kosciusko, Mississippi, on January 29, 1954. She survived through troublesome adolescent years after being sexually abused by a number of male relatives and some of her mother’s friends. Eventually, Oprah moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to live with her father, who left a positive impact on her life.
Website: www.oprah.com
- Beatriz Bashevis
Beatriz Bashevis is a neuropsychotherapist, writer, entrepreneur, and single mom of a four-year-old boy. She has over 25 years of experience in Human Research and for 10 years, Beatriz has directed a Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Cancer through Neuroplasticity. She teaches online training for women for trauma, change, and neuro-reprogramming rehab.
NeuroCoach training begins in June 2021 for women who want to understand from the scientific part how the Brain works, want to integrate the knowledge of spiritual awareness, in order to make a change in their life in an integral way.
Website: www.beatrizbashevis.com
- Mylène Besancon
Mylène Besancon is the co-founder and CMO of Tunedly, where she offers the most qualified network of vetted session musicians who help songwriters and singers produce song demos, radio hits, and music albums as well as a music-only focused discovery platform where listeners have the chance to vote for their favorite songs and make them become chart-hits.
Living in Canada now, prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Mylène grew up in France and earned a BA in Foreign Language and Business Studies from Université Sud Toulon-Var and an MBA in Marketing from Dublin Business School.
Website: www.mylenebesancon.com
- Dr. Ashley Little
Dr. Ashley Little is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, international speaker, TEDx speaker, keynote speaker, multimedia host, journalist, media maven, writer, philanthropist, business coach, investor, and 14X award-winning best-selling author. She is the Founder and CEO of Ashley Little Enterprises LLC. The company encompasses her many engagements from consultancy, writing, publishing, media relations to empowerment speaking. Dr. Little has been featured for her success across prominent platforms, including Yahoo Finance!, Black Enterprise, Vocal, NBC, Fox, CBS, Sheen Magazine, New York Weekly, Medium, The Black Report and many more. She is also the Co-founder of Sweetheart Scholars Non-profit Organization 501 (C-3), an organization that provides annual scholarships to worthy female African-Americans from her hometown of Wadesboro, North Carolina.
Furthermore, The HBCU Experience Movement, LLC, Little Publishing, LLC and T.A.L.K. Radio & TV Network, LLC are three of her many noteworthy ventures. The HBCU Experience Movement, LLC, is the first Black-owned publishing company to launch books written and published by prominent HBCU alumni throughout the world who attended Historically Black Colleges & Universities. As authors, they share a powerful collection of stories on how their unique college experience has molded them into the people they are today. Additionally, Dr. Little is also the CEO/Founder/Editor-In-Chief of Creating Your Seat At The Table International Magazine and Host/Executive Producer of Creating Your Seat At The Table Show where she highlights GIANTS in their industries nationally and internationally who are creating and building their own tables.
Instagram: @thehbcuexperiencemovement; @_ashleyalittle
Facebook: Dr. Ashley Little
Websites: www.ashleylittleenterprises.com; www.thehbcuexperiencemovement.com
- Sheila Lirio Marcelo
Filipino-American entrepreneur Sheila Lirio Marcelo is the founder, chairwoman, and CEO of Care.com. The company is an online platform that connects families to caregivers, child care professionals, senior carers, housekeepers, pet carers, and many more. Today, Care.com caters to over 14 million users in 16 countries. Marcelo grew up in a family of entrepreneurs in the Philippines who made a name for themselves in various industries, from agricultural production, transportation to coal production. The entrepreneur graduated from Mt. Holyoke College and acquired her MBA and Juris Doctor degree from Harvard University. Juggling her time as a Harvard student and a mother made her realize how many women like herself struggle with such a lifestyle. Her experiences, later on, cemented her desire to create an impact, hence the founding of Care.com.
Website: www.care.com
- Lynn Jurich
Making great strides in the sustainable energy industry, Lynn Jurich translated her passion for saving the environment into an entrepreneurial journey. Jurich is the co-founder and CEO of Sunrun, America’s leading company for home solar panels, battery storage, and energy services. Sunrun envisions creating a lasting impact by amplifying the value of maximizing residential rooftops to harness clean, affordable solar energy. Jurich graduated from Stanford University, where she obtained an MBA and Bachelor’s degree in science, technology, and society. The visionary was named one of the most influential people in business on Fortune Magazine’s 40 Under 40 List. She was also named Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Female Founders in 2018.
Website: www.sunrun.com
- Jessica Barnes
Jessica Barnes is a legal advisor, business consultant, life coach and healer, and powerhouse entrepreneur who established the industry-leading venture, “S.W.a.G. Consulting LLC.”
Before becoming a full-fledged businesswoman, Jessica first developed her educational background with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology and a subsequent Juris Doctor degree. Her expansive knowledge is coupled with a 15-year experience working with various high-level government executives and being a certified life coach.
Working for public departments honed the entrepreneur’s skill and inspired her to retire to the private sector. That was when she launched S.W.a.G. Consulting, LLC, which stands for “See It – Want It – and – Get it!”
With the company’s Dream Designer program for courses, coaching, and services using intuitive development, Jessica Barnes’ S.W.a.G. Consulting, LLC catapults its extensive clientele to success – garnering praise for its fresh perspectives, ingenious strategies, and creative solutions.
Instagram: @imjessamanda
Website: www.swagconsultingllc.com
- Dr. Velma Trayham
Held as an award-winning serial entrepreneur, author, strategist, social media influencer, and motivational speaker Dr. Velma Trayham is a multi-industrial icon. Through her decades of service, the enterprising doctor has established multiple ventures that have helped thousands of individuals nationwide.
As an African-American woman who clawed her way out of poverty, Dr. Velma Trayham has always been transparent about her service to the community. Among her game-changing efforts are the Thinkzilla Consulting Group which provides tips and hacks for women entrepreneurs, and the non-profit Millionaire Mastermind Academy, INC.
Launched in December 2017, Dr. Velma Trayham’s academy is a brilliant program alleviating the plight of modern women. Introducing financial literacy programs, events, and courses through the venture, Dr. Velma has elevated over 5,0000 students from financial stress.
Expanding her audience, the doctor also hosts “Millionaire Mindset with Dr. Velma Trayham” and has published her best-selling book “When God Says Go.”
Instagram: @velma_trayham
Website: www.velmatrayham.com
- Ta’Rheeyn Green
Under the tagline “embrace the skin you’re in,” 14-year-old Skynbrace, LLC, Founder and CEO Ta’Rheeyn Green is an inspirational entrepreneur who promotes confidence within her diverse audience.
The student’s entrepreneurial journey began when she realized that girls who shared her complexion or were darker were not getting the same attention as those with lighter tones. Being raised with unshakeable self-esteem, Ta’Rheeyn wondered why this was so and grew determined to move toward a healthier environment.
She started by drawing characters with varying skin colors and gave each a story. Exploring negative themes of abandonment, ostracization, depression, and bullying through bright light, Ta’Rheeyn Green motivated her audience to welcome their imperfections and rise above unfounded stigma and hatred.
Through Skynbrace, LLC’s endearing characters and products, the young entrepreneur has built a community of like-minded, brave and confident individuals, ready to take charge and become the main characters of their success stories.
Instagram: @skynbrace
Website: www.skynbrace.com
- GiGi Diaz
GiGi Diaz is a Cuban-born serial entrepreneur and life coach who made her mark in the industry at a young age. In the same year that she graduated from high school, GiGi opened the sought-after dance studio “GiGi’s Academy.”
While managing the venture’s exponential growth throughout the years, she also established a career in radio and television as an on-air personality for i-HeartRadio. GiGi seemingly effortlessly juggled all three responsibilities and even managed to include a fourth. She pursued a Master’s degree.
She was climbing toward success until her health failed her. A trip to the emergency room made GiGi realize that her priorities needed reshuffling. Putting herself first introduced the entrepreneur to a stress-free haven and inspired her to establish the coaching business “Seizing Happy™” for her fellow go-getters.
The coaching agency guides modern-day Wonder Women into managing their life, time, and business better with networking opportunities and programs.
Instagram: @gigidiazlive
Website: www.gigidiaz.com
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