Research by Boston Consulting Group has shown that growing the number of female entrepreneurs to align with male entrepreneurship would boost the Australian economy. The increase would be something to the tune of between $71 and $135 billion. Interestingly, a known multiplier effect happens when businesses have a diverse supplier strategy.
Across the world, women-owned businesses make up approximately 25-33% of all privately-owned companies. In Australia, roughly 38% of enterprises have female founders.
Further, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more women than men report spending their time shopping and preparing food.
Fearless founders
Women receive less than 3% of all venture capital investments; this differs from the size of the women-owned startup cohort.
Brianne West, the founder of Ethique, started the business in her kitchen to tackle the high volume of plastic ending up in landfills; the products are now widely loved around the globe. Through it all, Brianne has stayed true to her values as a leader in regenerative business. She has started an investment firm, Nous, to support early-stage, impact-driven brands.
So many female founders share similarly inspiring stories.
Monica Topliss and Fran Leman founded Plantasy Foods after experiencing their frustrations at the lack of quality ‘free-from’ alternatives. They joined forces to produce a range of healthy, plant-based convenience foods.
Lucy Bennetto went from high school drama teacher to chocolatier when she started the luxe, fairtrade chocolate brand, Bennetto. Driven to produce decadent, delicious chocolates, Lucy strives to do good for the planet and the people that work along the Bennetto supply chain.
When Indi Sutton started The Monday Food Co., she drew on her naturopathy and raw food production background. With a passion for gut health, she initially created a range of nourishing, small-batch granola and has since expanded to keto cake, bread mixes and keto mug cake mix.
For 65 years, Patricia Bragg carried the legacy of her adopted father, Paul Bragg. She has grown the iconic Bragg brand, allowing new generations to enjoy the benefits of a century of time-tested wellness. Maintaining female leadership, Patricia has since appointed current Bragg co-owner Katy Perry.
Innovation pioneers
UN Women Australia's International Women's Day 2023 theme is 'Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender-equal future'. While there is still a gender gap in innovation, female founders are making big waves in progressive ways.
Stine Smith and Kristy Hunter founded Good Change Store to provide an alternative to the plastic-covered products and packaging in the cleaning aisle. Their award-winning, eco-friendly range is practical, attractive and doesn’t cost the earth.
Founder of Loving Earth Martha Butler, and her co-founder, Scott Fry, share similar sustainable values. In producing their plant-based chocolate range, they honour the Indigenous farmers and people responsible for the ingredients. With great respect for the earth and the farming ecosystem, they lead the way in regenerative innovation.
Gem founder, Georgia Geminder, has created an Australian-first toothpaste with a mouth-specific oral probiotic recognised and approved by the dental community.
Rimi Thapar, and her husband, Manav, founded LoveRaw on a mission to make plant-based chocolate that tastes like chocolate. From starting with a single food processor to selling millions of multi-award-winning products across 20+ countries globally, Rimi and the LoveRaw team maintain an honest ethos.
Supporting women today and every day
As 50% of the population, it makes business sense to support women. Today, there is a more open conversation about challenges unique to women, and brands are committed to addressing this.
A wife and husband duo founded Anna’s Wild Yam Cream, a popular product for women's wellness. In 2020, Harmony Rutledge, an avid Anna’s user and brand advocate, took over the brand’s reins. Harmony is continuing the brand vision of supporting and connecting women.
Made for athletes by athletes, CLIF is an inclusive brand, partnering with many female athletes and advocates, including professional skiers, mountain bikers, gymnasts and skateboarders.
We proudly partner with many women-owned and female-founded businesses at Unique and foster strong female leadership across our business. We invest in the economy by supporting women-owned businesses as a community and individuals.
Support these brands and many more online or via our sales team at 1800 787 904. Alternatively, register for a wholesale account here.
