Really exciting news from the Associated Press:

Female small business owners continue to grow in numbers

“Women are starting companies at a torrid pace. Between 1997 and 2014,
the number of women-owned businesses in the U.S. rose by 68 percent,
twice the growth rate for men and nearly one and a-half times the rate
for all companies, according to an American Express analysis of Census
Bureau figures. They are starting an estimated 1,288 companies each day,
up from 602 in 2011-12, American Express says.”

Many point to the fact that more and more individuals are starting small businesses because of the economic downturn of the last 5-6 years. At the same time, the disproportionate growth of females as business owners is exciting and helps diversify the marketplace. Results are always important too and early figures show great performance from female business owners too:

“About 70 percent of the women owners polled in a recent Ba
nk of America
survey said they expect their revenue to rise over the next year,
compared to 66 percent of men. Fifty-six percent of women plan to hire
in the next year, compared to 50 percent of men.”

As more small business owners have looked to grow their businesses, alternative funding sources have increased in their ability to help business owners get the small business loans they need to thrive and succeed. The much-discussed merchant cash advance option has been one of the most powerful ways to help small businesses because it allows businesses to access capital without draining their supplies.