Notable Female Voices We Need to Pay Attention To

Check out this great article by Eleanor Hecks, Founder and Managing Editor at Designerly. The Founding Moms is a community for mom entrepreneurs. We share a wonderful – yet hectic – work-life balance. We know we thrive better together. We’re a community of learners and motivators. And we want you! Check out TFM for free.

In a world where male-dominated fields continue to present unique challenges for women, it is essential to listen to the powerful female voices making a difference. As a solopreneur, you have the ability to shape the future and create more inclusive spaces for women to thrive.

This guide aims to introduce you to eight remarkable women who have overcome adversity, shattered glass ceilings and left a lasting impact in their fields. Their stories testify to the power of resilience, determination and sisterhood.

By learning from their experiences and following their advice, you, too, can create an environment that fosters growth, empowerment and support for women everywhere. Whether you are balancing between work and family or scaling a startup — these trailblazers offer valuable tips that can help you navigate your journey.

1. Arlan Hamilton, Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital

Arlan Hamilton, the Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital, has made it her mission to invest in underrepresented founders. Her groundbreaking venture capital firm dedicates itself to supporting women, people of color and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. With her steadfast determination, Arlan has demonstrated that diverse perspectives are essential for fostering innovation and driving business success.

As one of the most notable female voices for aspiring entrepreneurs, Arlan asserts you to build authentic relationships within your industry. By connecting with others who share your vision, you can create a strong network of supporters. People like this will champion your ideas and help you steer the challenges of entrepreneurship.

As you foster these connections, remember to approach them with genuine interest and curiosity. Always be open to learning from experience and the insights of others. Embracing this collaborative mindset will propel you forward, opening new doors and opportunities for growth.

2. Angie Bastian, Co-Founder and CEO of BOOMCHICKAPOP

As the Co-founder and CEO of BOOMCHICKAPOP, Angie Bastian built a wildly successful snack brand in 2001 with her unwavering commitment to quality, innovation and a healthy lifestyle. From humble beginnings in her home kitchen, Angie turned BOOMCHICKAPOP into a household name — demonstrating that clarity and courage lead to championships in the world of entrepreneurship.

Angie Bastian’s motto is to stay true to your values and vision as you grow your business. You can maintain a strong brand identity and foster loyal customers by remaining authentic and prioritizing the principles that initially inspired your venture. As you travel your entrepreneurial journey, let Angie’s story remind you that remaining true to your core values can be a powerful compass for guiding you toward lasting success.

2. Ursula Burns, former CEO of Xerox

The former CEO of Xerox, Ursula Burns, is another one of the most powerful female voices to date. Ursula made history as the first African American woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. With her exceptional leadership skills — she shattered the glass ceiling in the technology sector — proving that diversity and inclusion are essential for success.

You can learn from Ursula Burns that mentorship and sponsorship are of great importance. By seeking guidance, support and advocacy from experienced professionals, you can gain invaluable insights and open doors to new opportunities.

Ursula also reminds you that surrounding yourself with mentors may accelerate your growth. Yet, she empowers you to challenge the status quo and create a more equitable professional landscape.

3. Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo

Indra Nooyi is the former CEO of PepsiCo, and many know her for her extraordinary leadership and transformative vision. She redefined the company’s goals during her tenure, focusing on sustainability and healthier product offerings. Indra’s unique approach to innovation has driven PepsiCo’s success and inspired many women to break boundaries and pursue excellence.

As a powerful female voice for women in business, Indra Nooyi empowers you to cultivate empathy and emotional intelligence. By honing these skills, you can better understand your team members, clients and stakeholders. As a result, you foster stronger relationships and improve decision-making.

Embracing empathy is crucial because it enables you to lead with compassion and integrity. By enhancing your emotional intelligence, you create a supportive environment that encourages collaboration, growth and success for everyone involved.

4. Whitney Wolfe Herd, Founder and CEO of Bumble

Whitney Wolfe Herd, the Founder and CEO of Bumble, revolutionized the world of online dating and networking by empowering women to take charge of their connections. Through her innovative platform, Whitney created a space where women feel safe, respected and in control. As her motives have challenged gender norms, her success inspires others — demonstrating that bold ideas can reshape industries.

An essential tip you will learn from Whitney is to embrace resilience and persevere through setbacks. As an entrepreneur, the obstacles you face in your journey will be inevitable. However, Whitney encourages you to view these experiences as learning opportunities rather than roadblocks.

By maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on lessons learned, you can grow and navigate the ever-evolving business landscape. Therefore, these characteristics are important for continuing to make strides to achieve your goals.

5. Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx

Sara Blakey is the Founder of Spanx and a true embodiment of determination and self-belief. With her innovative approach to shapewear, Sara transformed the industry and built a billion-dollar company from the ground up. From selling fax machines to becoming a self-made billionaire, her journey is a powerful reminder that a strong vision can lead to success.

Sara Blakely is one of the top female voices to pay attention to because she spreads a compelling message to embrace failure. Sara encourages women to reframe their mindset and recognize that each challenge presents an opportunity for improvement. By adopting this outlook, you can develop the tenacity to overcome anything and continue pushing forward in your endeavors.

6. Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code

As the Founder of Girls Who Code, Reshma Saujani made it her mission to close the gender gap in technology. Through her organization, she has inspired thousands of young women to pursue careers in STEM fields — fostering a new generation of female leaders and innovators. Reshma’s pursuit of breaking barriers perfectly shows that passion and determination make positive changes achievable.

A key takeaway you can get from Reshma is to cultivate a growth mindset and embrace risk-taking. She encourages women, especially young girls, to bravely face their fear of failure. By pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone and pursuing new experiences, you can build confidence and strength along the way.

7. Dr. Rana el Kaliouby, Co-founder and CEO of Affectiva

Dr. Rana el Kaliouby is a pioneering figure in the field of artificial intelligence and the Co-founder and CEO of Affectiva (AI). Her groundbreaking work in Emotion AI technology has the potential to transform human-machine interactions — making them more personalized and empathetic. As a female leader in a male-dominated field, Dr. el Kaliouby serves as a role model for women pursuing careers in technology.

Dr. Rana el Kaliouby strives to highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As a mother and entrepreneur, she stands for setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care to ensure success in both domains. Fostering a well-rounded lifestyle is the key to nurturing your well-being and better navigating the challenges of building a business.

Always remember that maintaining a personal life is essential for happiness and health. Yet, it is also the secret to long-term success and a fulfilling life.

The Collective Power of Female Voices

The inspiring stories and invaluable advice of these notable female voices demonstrate the immense potential for change when women support each other and challenge the status quo. Learn from the experiences to weave through the complexities of your journey so you can succeed in male-dominated fields.

As a mom starting your business, let these female voices remind you that together, you can build a brighter future where women can redefine the narrative. By empowering others, women can create a world where everyone’s voice is heard.

If you are ready to unlock your full potential, consider joining a thriving community of like-minded women by signing up for The Founding Mom membership today.

Eleanor Hecks is the founder and managing editor of Designerly Magazine. She’s also a web design consultant with a focus on customer experience and user interface. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dogs, Bear and Lucy. Connect with her about marketing, design and/or tea on LinkedIn!