How to Build a Business Like the World’s Most Successful Women?

"Women-founded businesses generate more revenue yet receive less funding. So why do they keep winning?"

When you picture a successful startup founder, who do you see? The business world often glorifies young, hoodie-wearing male founders as the face of innovation.( no offence guys)

?But reality paints a different picture…

Research shows that companies founded by women deliver higher returns despite receiving less funding. And here’s another surprising fact: the most successful startup founders in the U.S. aren’t in their 20s, they're in their 40s and yes they are women.

What makes women founders so resilient? How do they build businesses that thrive against the odds? Let’s break down the strategies they use and how you can apply them today.

1. Experience: The Secret Weapon of Women Over 40

Joanna Strober, the founder of Midi Health, believes starting a business later in life is an advantage. After launching and selling her first company, Kurbo Health, she used everything she learned to build Midi Health, which has now raised over $100 million.

"You're smarter. You have more experience. I see no downsides." – Joanna Strober

What does this teach us?

-Experience builds confidence. By 40, you've seen and solved enough problems to trust your instincts.

-Your network is bigger. Connections made over decades can open doors that fresh graduates can't.

-You spot real problems. Life experience helps you identify gaps in the market that others miss.

How to Apply It Today:

• Leverage past jobs and lessons to avoid beginner mistakes.
• Build strong professional relationships early.
• Look for pain points in your own life—your best business idea might be personal.

2. Fearlessness: Betting on the Unconventional

Sara Schiller and Karen Robinovitz built Sloomoo Institute, a multi-city slime experience brand, in their 50s. They were told they were "crazy" to start a business based on slime. Now, they’ve raised $5.8 million and are expanding.

"People said we were literally crazy. We got this." – Karen Robinovitz

Madam C.J. Walker, America’s first self-made female millionaire, built a haircare empire by selling products directly to Black women when no one else was catering to them. She went door to door, giving demonstrations in churches and community centers.

What do these women have in common? They weren’t afraid to take risks.

How to Apply It Today:

• If no one has done it before, that’s a sign—not a stop sign.
• Ignore doubters. They don’t have your vision.
• Take calculated risks. If it fails? Brush yourself off and try again.

3. Adaptability: Using Technology to Scale

Julie Bornstein, co-founder of Daydream, built a career in e-commerce before launching her AI-powered fashion platform. Her experience gave her an edge—she knew what worked, what didn’t, and how to leverage AI to make online shopping smarter.

"I can pattern match from all the jobs I've had in the past." – Julie Bornstein

Women like Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET, didn’t stop at media. She became the first Black woman to have an ownership stake in three professional sports teams and built Salamander Hotels & Resorts.

What’s the lesson? Pivoting is power.

How to Apply It Today:

• Keep learning technology is your best friend.
• Adapt your business model to new trends.
• Look beyond one industry, opportunities exist everywhere.

4. Grit: Doing More with Less

Women founders face more challenges in raising capital. Yet, they still find ways to win.

Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder of Act 1 Group, became the first Black woman to run a billion-dollar staffing agency. Her company started with just $1,500.

Sheila Johnson sold BET for $2.34 billion, proving that you don’t need to fit a mold to succeed.

What’s the takeaway? Resourcefulness beats resources.

How to Apply It Today:

• Start small, but think big.
• Use revenue to fuel growth instead of relying only on investors.
• Bootstrap and make smart financial decisions early.

5. Balance: Using Life’s Seasons to Your Advantage

Women founders over 40 often say they have more brain power and flexibility once their kids are grown.

"I can work all the time—no one needs me to cook dinner." – Joanna Strober

Age doesn’t slow them down; it frees them up.

How to Apply It Today:

• Don’t rush. Your best business idea might come later.
• Use life’s different stages to your advantage.
• Success isn’t about age, it's about timing.

6. Resilience: Turning No into Yes

Ever heard of Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx? She was turned down by almost every manufacturer she approached. But instead of giving up, she kept pitching until she found one who believed in her vision. Today, she’s a billionaire.

Lesson: Don’t take rejection personally. Every ‘no’ brings you closer to the right opportunity.

How to Apply It Now:

• Expect setbacks, but don’t let them stop you.
• Keep refining your idea until you find the right support.
• Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision.

7. Community: Building a Loyal Tribe

Huda Kattan, the founder of Huda Beauty, didn’t just create a brand, she built a movement. She started by giving makeup tips on social media, engaging with followers, and listening to their feedback. When she launched her products, people were already invested in her success.

Lesson: Your community is your biggest asset. Build relationships, not just transactions.

How to Apply It Now:

• Engage with your audience on social media.
• Offer value before you sell , share knowledge, stories, and experiences.
• Create a brand that people feel connected to, not just a product.

8. Smart Money Moves: Mastering Finances

Take Oprah Winfrey as an example; she didn’t just rely on one income stream. She built a media empire with multiple revenue sources, from TV to books to streaming platforms.

Lesson: Financial knowledge is power.

How to Apply It Now:

• Learn the basics of investing, budgeting, and scaling a business.
• Explore multiple income streams and don't rely on just one.
• Seek grants, crowdfunding, and alternative funding sources.

9. Innovation: Adapting to Change

When Whitney Wolfe Herd started Bumble, she redefined the dating app industry by making women take the first step. It was a simple idea but a game-changer.

Lesson: Innovation isn’t about reinventing the wheel but? improving what already exists.

How to Apply It Now:

• Identify gaps in your industry and find a unique angle.
• Stay ahead of trends and be willing to pivot.
• Solve real problems people pay for solutions.

10. Confidence: Owning Your Space

Many women entrepreneurs admit they struggled with self-doubt. But confidence is something you build and not a gift from birth.

Arianna Huffington once said she battled imposter syndrome before launching The Huffington Post. But she pushed through, and now her media empire is one of the most influential in the world.

Lesson: Confidence can be simply defined as? acting despite the doubt.

How to Apply It Now:

• Take action even when you feel unsure.
• Stop waiting for perfection, launch now and refine later.
• Speak up, take risks, and trust yourself.

Women have been breaking barriers in business for centuries. And as we celebrate International Women’s Month, one thing is clear: they’re just getting started.

?So, what’s stopping you?

?

Yours,

Yemi Solves.

If you are a startup founder / business owner seeking to know how to solve your business problems, then plan to attend THE SOLUTIONS CONFERENCE - the best part is FREE!

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