Women-Owned Businesses

What is a (WOBE) women owned business?

A women-owned business enterprise (WOBE) is a business where at least 51 percent or more of the ownership is owned and operated by a woman or group of women.

These businesses may operate in any industry and may be large or small. The term “women-owned business enterprise” is often used to specifically highlight the contributions of women to the economy and to promote diversity in entrepreneurship.
The term is also used to refer to businesses that are owned and operated by women and have been certified as such by a government agency or other organization. Certification programs for women-owned businesses have specific requirements, such as a certain percentage of ownership by women and/or management by women.

WOBE programs may also provide access to resources and support for women-owned businesses.

According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners, there are approximately 12.3 million women-owned businesses in the United States. These businesses represent about 39% of all businesses in the country and employ about 9.2 million people.

The majority of these businesses are small, with fewer than 10 employees. The number of women-owned businesses has been steadily increasing in recent years, and it is expected that this trend will continue in the future.