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In the race to entrepreneurship, single women aren’t just at the head of the pack -- they’re blazing a trail for everyone behind them.
According to U.S. Labor Department data, single women are becoming entrepreneurs at a faster rate than married women and, surprisingly, men in general.
Last year, the number of women-owned businesses exceeded 9.4 million (comprising 30 percent of all businesses in the United States).
What’s more, the revenue these companies generate has become an economic force to be reckoned with -- standing at nearly $1.5 trillion, as of 2015.
And with more than 60 percent of women entrepreneurs predicting that their profits will increase in 2016, it makes sense that more and more women, specifically those without spouses, feel compelled to enter the game.
Never before have we seen such a time when women were so present in the business world, and that presence has implications for aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.
Why single women are taking the lead
There are many different reasons individuals make the jump from the corporate life to entrepreneurship. In some cases, it’s flexibility; in other cases, people desire more fulfillment from their work. Whatever the specifics, it seems that single women, with their unique wants and needs, are finding entrepreneurship to be a natural fit for their lifestyles.
According to a March 2016 study, single women are less influenced by society’s gender roles and are drawn to the idea of being their own boss. The camaraderie that often accompanies a local entrepreneurial community is also a key driver for unmarried women entrepreneurs, among other factors.
I believe this trend will not only continue through 2016, but also increase at a more rapid rate. These women are ambitious and -- whether they’re aware of it or not -- are busting through stereotypes.