Celebrate Women’s History Month by learning more about these 5 women-owned businesses

As we begin Women’s History Month, we reflect on women-owned businesses around the world. Join us as we commemorate and highlight some of the top women-owned businesses in the United States. Here are 5 women-owned businesses that have earned notable success. 

  • BET 

 Black Entertainment Television (BET) was the first African American-controlled cable network. The popular network was started up in 1979 when a remarkable woman named Sheila Johnson helped to fund the cable network. Sheila used the money which she earned herself through teaching music lessons during her lifetime. She later became the VP of Corporate Affairs and serves as a board member of the company. 

  • The Body Shop

The Body Shop is known for its eco-friendly and animal-friendly body care products. It was created in 1976 by Anita Roddick in England.  Anita had the vision to create body care that doesn’t harm the environment, animals and is gentle enough for our skin too. She turned her vision into a success and promoted ethical consumer purchases globally. Today there are more than 45 Body Shop stores around the world with millions of products being sold on online stores annually.

  • Build-A-Bear

Maxine Clark had an idea to allow children to create unique stuffed animals in 1997. 

Today there are over 400 Build-A-Bear stores around the world. The workshop is one-of-a-kind and inspires kids to use their imagination and creativity in everyday life. 

  • SPANX

Sara Blakely was one of the youngest self-made billionaires after creating the brand known as SPANX – a bodywear shapewear for women. Sara created the brand following an idea after snipping a pair of pantyhose to use under her pants. Her idea created a chain of stores that today have over 200 products and are used by celebrities such as Michelle Obama. Apart from creating the successful clothing range, Sara donates half her profits to charitable causes.

  • Cisco 

Cisco, the networking product company responsible for a multi-network exchange, was founded by Sandy Lerner. Sandy alongside her then-husband Len Bosack developed the router that earned more than $1.5 million in sales in the first years of development. Today Cisco is valued at more than $220 billion.

There are so many notable women-owned businesses and you could be the entrepreneur that starts the next one. The Women’s Business Center helps to serve potential and existing small business owners including women, veterans, and minorities to earn success.   

Contact us today for more info on starting up your own business or to assist women-owned businesses!

“Those who know, do. Those that
understand, teach.”

ARISTOTLE
Community Business Partnership of Springfield, VA