These women have carved out niches for themselves in their respective fields, while creating new million dollar enterprises. NO LONGER RELEGATED SOLELY TO SUCH traditional business as catering, child care and hair care, women entrepreneurs are now thriving in fields where few women have gone before--from engineering to construction to computer design. Many of these trend setters and trailblazers are doing more than just holding their own in these male-dominated industries: Their businesses are generating millions of dollars in revenues and employing hundreds of people.
In fact, women own more than 30% of the 21 million businesses in the country. Their earnings are rising twice as fast as the rate of all other companies, according to the National Association of Women Business Owners in Silver Spring, Maryland. These women-owned businesses currently employ one-quarter of America's entire workforce.
Despite these newsworthy breakthroughs, black women business owners, with their bold and inspiring success stories, have not been given their due. Even in publications designed to highlight the achievements of women in business, black women are sorely underrepresented.
Against this backdrop, BLACK ENTERPRISE profiles seven women whose enterprising instincts and results simply cannot be overlooked. Their businesses range from floral design to nuclear engineering. Each has been in business for between three and 10 years, and has annual sales of at least $1 million and 10 or more employees. They have all dodged a different set of slings and arrows to establish their unique niche in the marketplace. Sharing that never-say-die entrepreneurial spirit, they aim to reach the top of their field--and are all well on their way.
By: Margie Lewis
