There is a trend toward female entrepreneurship. Between 1992 and 1997, the number of women-owned firms increased two-and-a-half times faster than all U.S. businesses (16% compared to 6%). Employment in women-owned firms grew more than three times the rate for all firms (28% compared to 8%). During this same time period, the number of women-owned firms with employees grew six times faster than the national average (37% compared to 6%). Payroll in women-owned firms grew at almost twice the rate for all firms (46% compared to 25%).



Instead of starting out on a mountain of credit, many women businesses start out with minimal financial resources and a more customized service for a smaller client base. According to a the Small Business Administration study, nearly three-fourths of women-owned firms which were founded in 1991, were still going three years later, as compared with two-thirds of all U.S. companies.