Recognising the Contribution of Women in Small Business Every Day, Not Just on International Women’s Day

While International Women’s Day (IWD) offers a valuable opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women, it’s vital that we recognise the immense contribution of women in business every single day. Across the UK, women entrepreneurs are making waves, but they often face challenges that can hold them back—challenges that are best tackled with support from trusted partners. It’s time we consistently support and amplify the voices of women in business, not just once a year, but as part of a continual commitment to their success.

The Impact of Women in Small Business

Women-owned businesses are a powerhouse in the UK economy. Female entrepreneurs represent over 20% of all UK business owners, contributing a staggering £116 billion to the economy annually, according to a report by Square and Clearpay. Although this growth is encouraging, it’s still far behind the success seen in male-led businesses.

In the last five years, we’ve seen progress, but women-led businesses continue to face a number of barriers that male entrepreneurs don’t typically encounter. To create real equality in business ownership, we need to offer more consistent support to women—and this starts with recognising that collaboration is key to success.

The Challenges Women Entrepreneurs Face

Although the journey of female entrepreneurship has become more accessible over the years, there are still significant challenges that continue to hold women back. From access to funding to gender bias in networking, female entrepreneurs often face obstacles that men don’t. One challenge that often gets overlooked, however, is the importance of having reliable, trustworthy support during the early stages of business—something that can make a world of difference for women.

1. Access to Funding: Research from the British Business Bank shows that women-led businesses are far less likely to receive the necessary funding they need compared to male-led businesses. This financial confidence gap is a major barrier for women looking to scale and grow. Without access to funding or guidance on how to manage finances effectively, it can feel overwhelming.

2. Juggling Responsibilities: Women often juggle business with family responsibilities. In fact, 70% of women entrepreneurs are also primary caregivers. This dual role can make it difficult to focus solely on business growth, which is where having the right support system becomes invaluable.

3. The “Club” Mentality: The business world can still feel like an exclusive club, especially for women. Networking, mentorship, and business development opportunities can often feel closed off, particularly if you’re not surrounded by people you trust who understand your needs and challenges. Having the right people in your corner—people who support you—can be the key to overcoming this barrier.

   
   

Why Women Entrepreneurs Thrive with Support

Here’s the reality: female-led businesses perform better when they have the support they need. Women tend to excel in building strong, collaborative business environments, and when they have trusted partners like an online business manager (OBM) or virtual assistant (VA), they’re more likely to scale successfully and sustainably. Having this support allows women to delegate administrative tasks, focus on their core strengths, and make more strategic decisions.

Businesses run more smoothly when women can lean on someone who understands their vision and can handle tasks such as scheduling, client communications, social media management, and project coordination. An OBM or VA acts as a reliable ally—someone who takes over the operational side of things, freeing up time for women to focus on what matters most: growing their business.

Women-led businesses tend to be more socially conscious and customer-focused, and those qualities often drive better financial outcomes. According to McKinsey & Company, companies with more gender-diverse leadership are 15% more likely to outperform their peers. With the right support, female entrepreneurs can harness these traits to create stronger, more successful enterprises.

The Vital Role of Online Business Managers and Virtual Assistants

In the early stages of building a business, many female entrepreneurs wear multiple hats—founder, marketer, accountant, customer service representative—and the workload can quickly become overwhelming. This is where an online business manager (OBM) or virtual assistant (VA) plays a crucial role.

1. Focus on Core Activities: By hiring an OBM or VA, women can offload routine but essential tasks like admin work, scheduling meetings, and client follow-ups. This allows them to focus on growing their brand, developing new products, or expanding their customer base.

2. Enhance Efficiency and Organisation: A VA or OBM brings organisation and structure to a business, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. With streamlined processes in place, women can be more productive and achieve better results.

3. Gain the Confidence to Scale: One of the key challenges for many women entrepreneurs is financial confidence. Having a trusted professional like an OBM or VA can give female business owners the reassurance they need that their operations are in capable hands. With this peace of mind, women are more likely to take the leap into scaling their business.

4. Build Stronger Relationships: When a woman entrepreneur works with a VA or OBM who truly understands her business, they can build a strong, professional relationship that helps to cultivate trust. This sense of partnership can be incredibly empowering, helping women feel more confident in their ability to lead and grow their ventures.

Supporting Female Entrepreneurs: A Call to Action

To continue making strides in the business world, we need to actively support women entrepreneurs. Recognising their value is crucial, but so is providing them with the practical support they need to succeed.

1. Invest in Women’s Ventures: The funding gap is real, and it’s essential that we push for more investment in women-led businesses. It’s not just about investing financially, but also about offering mentorship and networking opportunities that can fuel growth.

2. Collaborate with Women-Led Businesses: If you’re a business owner or a customer, consider working with women-owned businesses. Supporting each other creates a thriving ecosystem where everyone can succeed.

3. Make Resources Accessible: From online business managers and virtual assistants to financial education, women entrepreneurs need easy access to resources that empower them to scale. Creating a network of reliable, knowledgeable professionals is key to their success.

4. Foster Financial Confidence: By providing female business owners with tools and training to manage their finances effectively, we can help them build the confidence they need to make bold business decisions.

   
   

The Future of Women in Entrepreneurship

The future for women in business looks bright, but there’s still work to be done. Women entrepreneurs need continued support—especially in the early days—when they are finding their feet and seeking reliable, trustworthy partnerships. By providing the right tools, resources, and connections, we can help female-led businesses overcome obstacles and achieve lasting success.

At the end of the day, the most successful women in business are not doing it alone. They’ve got a support system in place—whether that’s a virtual assistant, an online business manager, or a trusted mentor—and that is a key ingredient in their success.

Women in small business have already achieved incredible things, contributing £116 billion to the UK economy. However, the road to equality in entrepreneurship is still ongoing, and the key to accelerating success is support. By recognising the value of trusted partners like OBMs and VAs, we can help women entrepreneurs thrive. Let’s continue to champion women in business, not just on International Women’s Day, but every day—because their success is essential to the future of our economy.