Throughout my career, I’ve worked to shift this conversation, and I’ll be honest – it hasn’t always made me popular. Challenging established narratives makes people uncomfortable. But here’s my take: we don’t have a “women in business” problem; we have a data problem.

Reframing success: the right comparisons matter

One of the most widely quoted statistics is that women receive only about 2% of venture capital funding. That number is accurate – but does it tell the whole story?

We often lump all women founders into that statistic, but what happens if we compare apples to apples? If we looked at women founders in retail, Etsy sellers, or direct-to-consumer brands and compared them to men in the same sectors, would the funding numbers shift? I suspect they would.

The reality is that fewer women seek venture capital than men – not because they lack capability, but because they often take different paths to growth, leveraging personal savings, grants, crowdfunding, or small business loans. If fewer women apply for VC funding, their share of funding will naturally be lower. That doesn’t mean women aren’t thriving entrepreneurs – it means we’re measuring success in a way that doesn’t reflect reality.

Recent data supports this perspective:

• From 2019 to 2023, women-owned businesses grew by 94.3% in the number of firms, 252.8% in employment, and 82.0% in revenue – outpacing their male counterparts
• Female-founded businesses have been found to outperform male-founded ones by 63%, demonstrating that when women secure funding, they often deliver superior returns

The aggressive myth

One of my biggest pet peeves is the word aggressive. I challenge it every time I hear it.

Has any man ever told another man in business, “You’re being too aggressive”? It rarely happens. Yet, for women, it’s a constant refrain. Assertive men are leaders. Assertive women are labelled as difficult.

From my early days in financial services to leading companies, I’ve had to be direct, decisive, and bold. Walking into a room as the only woman – or one of very few – taught me that waiting for permission won’t get you far.

Every time a woman speaks confidently, challenges an idea, or drives a tough negotiation, she risks being labelled aggressive. But here’s what I’ve learned: the most successful women I know don’t waste energy trying to fit into a mold. They move forward – labels be damned.

The power of relationships in business

Looking back at every significant deal I’ve closed, a pattern emerges.

My first million-dollar deal happened in my early 20s while selling financial technology to General American (later AIG). At the time, I didn’t fully understand what made that sale successful. Years later, after journaling through my biggest deals, I saw the common thread: nearly every time, the men I worked with had daughters or sisters.

That wasn’t a coincidence. When someone personally relates to you – seeing their daughter in you or their sister in your ambition – it shifts the dynamic. It doesn’t hand you the deal, but it opens the door. And in business, opening doors is half the battle.

Women, take note. Build real relationships. Understand the personal dynamics of the people you work with. Most importantly, do this for other women, too.

Fixing the real issue: how women treat each other

This is an uncomfortable topic, but let’s talk about it – women haven’t always been great at supporting each other.

Some of this stems from early socialisation. Many of us learned to see other women as competition rather than allies – and too often, we never unlearn it.

But I see hope. The young women I mentor today don’t think this way. They don’t walk into rooms assuming they’re at a disadvantage. They don’t hesitate to advocate for themselves. And what do I love most? They’re sceptical of women like me who had to fight through old systems. They challenge my perspective – and that’s a good thing. It means progress is happening.

Beyond Women’s History Month

If we continue measuring progress the same way, we will continue seeing the same results. And if we only discuss women’s success – or struggles – during March, we’re missing the point.

Yes, challenges exist. Yes, disparities remain. But the story isn’t just about obstacles – it’s about resilience, strategy, and rewriting the rules. This is the narrative we need to amplify – not just during Women’s History Month, but every day.

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