If history has taught us anything, it’s that progress is never handed to us on a silver platter—it’s fought for, inch by inch, policy by policy, and sometimes, in corsets and picket lines.
As we roll into Women’s History Month, I can’t stop thinking about Suffs, the Broadway musical I recently watched. It wasn’t just a night at the theater—it was a history lesson, a battle cry, and a mirror reflecting today’s struggles. The relentless fight of the suffragists, their grit, their strategic brilliance--all hit me hard, especially given the challenges we’re facing right now.
Because let’s be real: 2025 is throwing some serious punches.
We’ve got tariffs rattling industries, inflation squeezing our wallets, government job cuts leaving uncertainty in their wake, mass deportations tearing families apart, and data breaches exposing our Treasury—because apparently, cybersecurity is optional now. Planes are falling out of the sky (yes, that’s a thing now), Social Security is being challenged, and Los Angeles is still picking up the pieces from the January wildfires.
And yet—just like the suffragists, women entrepreneurs are still out here making moves, growing businesses, and fighting for their seat at the table.
What Suffs Teaches Us About Business Today
For those who missed Suffs (seriously, fix that), the musical tells the story of the suffragists, their dreams, setbacks, and relentless push for the right to vote. It’s a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and straight-up grit.
Sound familiar? It should. Women entrepreneurs today are facing their own modern-day struggles. Yes, there are more women-owned businesses than ever before, but the playing field is far from level.
The numbers don’t lie:
% of US Women-Owned businesses: 42% -That’s a win!
Women-led businesses: Generate $1.9T per year and employ 9.4M workers-Another win!
# of Women-Owned Businesses Started Daily: Over 1,800 -Yet these entrepreneurs still face systemic obstacles.
And here’s where it gets frustrating:
Top Challenges for women-owned businesses? Funding.
About Women business loans: 50% smaller than male counterparts.
% of Venture Capital Funding: Only 2.4% for female vs 97.6% for male entrepreneurs
Sexism as Business Owner: 1 in 3 female business owners has experienced sexism
So, what’s the takeaway? The suffragists didn’t just hope for change, they strategized, adapted, and refused to take no for an answer. And that’s exactly what female business owners do today.
Persistence Is the Name of the Game
Like Alice Paul and her fellow suffragists, women entrepreneurs aren’t waiting around for permission. They’re innovating, networking, and pushing past outdated biases. But the challenges are real, and the stakes are high.
Need funding? Alternative financing options and women-focused investment networks are on the rise.
Battling bias? Community support and mentorship programs are helping women navigate these roadblocks.
Balancing business and family? A staggering 31% of women business owners have school-aged kids at home—yet they’re still building empires.
The fight for gender equality in business is far from over, but as Suffs reminds us, persistence pays off.
Let’s Keep Marching Forward
Whether it was the suffrage movement of the early 1900s or the battle for economic equality today, the message remains the same: Keep pushing. Keep building. Keep showing up.
Women have always had to work twice as hard for half the recognition. If you’re a woman entrepreneur facing funding struggles, business roadblocks, or just looking for a game plan to thrive in today’s economic chaos—Email me at debbieg@bizmadeez.com and let’s tackle these challenges together. Because persistence isn’t just history, it’s our future!
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