Forbes

The Center for an Urban Future recently released “Breaking Through: Harnessing the Economic Potential of Women Entrepreneurs”—a new report exploring the economic impact women founders have today. The report was made possible through Capital One’s Future Edge initiative, a $150-million, five-year effort to help more American workers and entrepreneurs succeed in the twenty-first century economy.

Through Future Edge, Capital One works with hundreds of leading community and nonprofit organizations in NYC and beyond, including microfinance and microlending organizations empowering women entrepreneurs such as Accion, Kiva, and Grameen America.

As illuminated in the research, women of all ages, races, and ethnicities are creating jobs, bolstering economies, strengthening families and communities, and providing creative solutions to twenty-first century problems. Fueled by advances in technology and lowered barriers to entry, women throughout the nation are starting and growing new businesses at a remarkable clip—flooding into every industry from construction and manufacturing to healthcare and information.

In an effort to inspire and empower more women across the country, below five successful women entrepreneurs share the unique tips that helped them get ahead.