The number of women launching their own businesses in the United States is increasing, with a study revealing that women account for nearly half of all new entrepreneurs since 2020.
A survey conducted by Gusto found that women made up almost 50% of startups in the U.S. in 2021 — a significant increase of almost 30% since 2019. Experts attribute this growth to the impact of the pandemic, which has motivated more women to venture into entrepreneurship and subsequently resulted in more female business owners.
Karli Shank, a mother of two with another child on the way, has always had an interest in entrepreneurship. Despite being a stay-at-home mom for three years, Shank felt the need to start working again. She and her husband, who were previously in the restaurant industry, decided to open Spark the Senses, an indoor playground for kids in Centennial, Colorado, in 2024.
According to Gusto, women accounted for 47% of new business owners in 2020, with 32% starting their businesses due to layoffs during the pandemic. Dr. Kishore Kulkarni, an economist at Metro State University in Denver, believes that as the economy recovers, women are entering the labor force and starting businesses at a higher rate than men.
Gusto’s survey also revealed that 64% of women who started their businesses in 2022 cited the need for more flexibility, a sentiment that resonates with Shank. With her business catering to children, Shank sees many moms bringing their kids to work while they focus on their own ventures.
“They’ll come, they’ll bring their laptops, and they’ll sit down here and work,” Shank said. “I do see a lot of stay-at-home moms that have side jobs, and in this day and age, having dual incomes is often necessary.”
