From Side Hustles to Empires: How Women Entrepreneurs Are Redefining Wealth

For decades, women have been transforming passion into profit, often starting with side hustles — a creative outlet, a solution to a problem, or a dream pursued after hours. Today, many of those side hustles have grown into thriving businesses, reshaping industries and redefining wealth in the process.

Take Sara Blakely, for example. What started as a simple idea to create more comfortable shapewear turned into Spanx, a billion-dollar company that revolutionized the fashion industry. Blakely’s journey from selling fax machines by day and developing prototypes by night is a testament to the power of perseverance and vision. Spanx not only created a new product category but also demonstrated the economic power of a woman’s perspective on an industry’s unmet needs.

Then there’s Melissa Butler, founder of The Lip Bar. Frustrated with the lack of diverse, inclusive beauty products, Butler began creating vegan, cruelty-free lipsticks in her kitchen while working on Wall Street. Despite being rejected on national television, she persisted — and today, The Lip Bar is a multi-million-dollar brand, sold in major retailers like Walmart. Butler’s success highlights the importance of staying true to your vision and filling gaps in the market.

These stories aren’t just about wealth in the financial sense — they’re about creating opportunities, influencing industries, and building legacies. Women-owned businesses generate $1.8 trillion annually in the U.S. alone, and that number continues to grow as more women step into entrepreneurship.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s recognize the power of women turning their side hustles into empires. Their success inspires future generations and shows the world that wealth isn’t just about money — it’s about impact, innovation, and breaking barriers.?

The Black Business Matters Podcast isn’t just about conversations — it’s about creating impact and being your go-to source for inspiration. This month, we’re celebrating the unstoppable women entrepreneurs shaping Chicago’s business scene. Don’t miss these powerful stories — tune in now and download the latest issue of BBM Mag today!