Women Are Good Investments
Why Betting on Women in Business Isn’t Just Right—It’s Smart Strategy
Earlier this month, the Tory Burch Foundation celebrated its 15th anniversary—not by looking back, but by launching forward. With a bold new pledge to generate more than $1 billion in economic impact through women entrepreneurs by 2030, it sent a clear message:
Women are great investments.
Tory Burch put it simply:
“It’s very important for people to know that diversity is what I find beautiful—and also good for business.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Lately, I’ve found myself surrounded by women building brands, launching products, and scaling ideas—often while managing caregiving responsibilities, school drop-offs, and the countless invisible roles women tend to hold.
And what’s struck me most isn’t just the hustle. It’s the support.
Women sharing connections. Trading referrals. Talking strategy over coffee. Making room at tables they weren’t invited to—and pulling up chairs for the women coming next.
That spirit of collaboration showed up recently at a fundraising gala that The Hanna Collaborative proudly sponsored. My co-founder Emily and I were seated next to the brilliant women behind Inbloom Consulting—a women-led firm offering fundraising, marketing, and strategy solutions to nonprofits and mission-driven organizations.
On paper, we could be seen as competitors.
In practice? We were instant allies.
The conversation flowed from shared values to how we might support each other—exchanging ideas, resources, and meaningful introductions. It wasn’t about guarding ground. It was about growing together.
Women aren’t just building businesses. They’re building ecosystems.
And just like the data tells us—that’s not only powerful.
It’s incredibly effective.
The ROI of Women in Business
Let’s start with the numbers:
Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity in executive teams are 39% more likely to outperform on profitability than those in the bottom quartile. (McKinsey & Company, 2023)
Startups founded by women generate 78 cents in revenue per dollar invested, compared to just 31 cents for those founded by men. (BCG, 2023)
In 2024, 49% of all new businesses were started by women—up from just 29% in 2019. (Business Insider, 2024)
Organizations with greater representation of women in leadership report higher employee engagement, stronger retention, and more resilient workplace cultures. (Gallup, 2023)
Hiring, funding, and promoting women isn’t just the right thing to do.
It’s a strategic advantage.
Women Lead Differently—and That’s a Strength
It’s not just about gender diversity. It’s about diversity of thought, lived experience, and leadership style.
Women leaders tend to lead more collaboratively. They’re more likely to coach and develop their teams, communicate with empathy, and create cultures of accountability—without ego.
Teams led by women experience higher psychological safety, innovation, and alignment. People stay longer. They feel more connected. The business thrives.
In a time when burnout is high and turnover is costly, women leaders aren’t just valuable—they’re essential.
The Power of Women Founders
Despite receiving less than 2% of venture capital funding, women-owned businesses are growing—and outperforming.
As of 2024, women own 39.1% of all U.S. businesses—more than 14 million companies—employing 12.2 million people and generating $2.7 trillion in revenue. From 2019 to 2023, the number of women-owned businesses grew at nearly double the rate of men’s, with Black and Latina entrepreneurs leading the way. (Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report, 2024)
Women founders are more likely to reinvest in their communities, build inclusive hiring pipelines, and prioritize sustainability.
They are creating purpose-driven companies that are both profitable and grounded in values.
They’re not just building brands.
They’re redefining what leadership and success look like.
What Happens When We Invest in Women
When women are supported, funded, and promoted:
Teams get stronger
Revenue grows
Communities thrive
Innovation accelerates
These ripple effects go far beyond the bottom line.
This isn’t about charity.
It’s about building smarter companies, more resilient economies, and a future that works better for everyone.
Let’s Keep the Momentum Going
Whether you’re hiring, funding, mentoring, or buying—you’re making an investment.
Let it be in women.
Because the data backs her.
The outcomes prove it.
And the future depends on it.
