Connect with us

Success Advice

The 10 Most Influential and Successful Female Entrepreneurs Of Our Time

Published

on

Image Credit: Unsplash

It’s a man’s world’ so they say, but throughout history and in modern times, women too have played an important part in society. In fact, some of these highly influential women entrepreneurs have surpassed their male equivalents. From powerful leaders to media moguls, women often have had to battle against far tougher offs than their male counterparts to get their respective positions of influence.

This article identifies 10 Of The Most Influential Women Of Our Time.

The Top 10 Most Influential & Successful Female Entrepreneurs

#10 – Sheryl Sandberg

Whilst Facebook was certainly very popular before she came on board in 2008, it was difficult to see how the site would make an income worthy of its valuation. Not only did she help meet those expectations that came with such a high valuation of a site yet to make a real income, she helped massively exceed them.

Since she came on board as Facebook’s number two, it’s user base increased more than 10 times to roughly 11% of the world’s population, and the business is on course to post massive profits that are rumoured to cause the company to be valued near the $100 billion mark, which is almost as much as half the GDP of Ireland. It was her task to monetize Facebook, and she did this very successfully.

She would have been much higher in the top ten if it wasn’t for the fact that Facebook was destined to conquer the world on account of it being a very good idea, but everything she was tasked to do, she did very well and deserve her place amongst the top ten women entrepreneurs.

#9 – JK Rowling

This single and struggling mother wrote a book that bought a generation of video gamers and tv addicts back to reading books to excercise their imaginations once again. Another rags to riches story, JK Rowling‘s Harry Potter books have become one of the best-selling books of all time, she managed to spawn a major feature film series and a franchise that also incorporates a fully functioning theme park in direct competition with Disney. Her influence not only affects millions of children around the world, but has also drawn many adults into her world.

 

#8 – Sara Blakely

From a woman who went door-to-door selling fax machines for 7 years, to failing her life long dream of becoming a lawyer then creating “Spanx“, a multi-million dollar undergarment company, you’d say that Sara Blakely is a modern day “Wonder Woman”.

Sara Blakely has secured her spot as the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire with a current net worth of $1 Billion.

 

#7 – Lady Gaga

Whatever you think of her music and fashion tastes, theres no denying that she has become an extraordinary success within a very short space of time and one of the most successful women in music today. Earning Lady Gaga her spot as number 8 in the list of top female entrepreneurs.

Born Stefanie Germanotta, Lady Gaga is estimated to be worth nearly $100 million at the tender age of 25-years-old. The reason for her fortune is that unlike many of her peers, she actually writes her own music, netting her a huge income in royalties.

 

#6 – Susan Wojcicki

Susan Wojcicki can certainly claim to be one of the most influential women in business owing to her being Senior Vice President at search engine giant Google, Susan has been responsible for helping to turn a great idea into a very profitable idea.

Susan is mostly in charge of the advertising revenue side of Google.

 

#5 – Melinda Gates

Although her husband Bill Gates is mostly responsible for their wealth, she has been responsible for talking him into co-founding a charitable organisation with the money made from Bill’s empire. Bill Gates has stated that when he dies, all of his $40 billion fortune will have been spent on good causes.

Melinda & Bill Gates have already donated $27 billion to charitable causes.

 

#4 – Indra Nooyi

Born in Calcutta, India, Indra Nooyi is one of the most powerful women in business having held executive positions in many of the world’s top companies.

She is currently Chairwoman and CEO of Pepsico which is the second largest food and drink company on the planet. She has not only excelled in business but also in academia, earning degrees in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as well as an MBA in management in her native India, she then went on to earn a Master’s degree in Public and Private Management at Yale.

 

#3 – Angela Merkel

Great responsibility rests on this ladies shoulders as leader of Europe’s most powerful and richest economy, Germany. Her influence and persuasion skills are likely to affect millions of Europeans and billions of others around the world. The global economy effectively is in her hands.

Angela Merkel is Germany’s first female leader and her decisions are highly likely to impact the history of Germany.

#2 – Oprah Winfrey

No list of the top women entrepreneurs would be complete without Oprah.

Worth an estimated $2.7 billion, it’s no wonder she can afford to hand out free cars to her audience members, her fortune has been largely down to creating television that women love to watch. And not just being content with appearing on the TV, she has gone on to excel in many other forms of media. As for being influential, she has had president Obama on her show twice, amongst many other world-famous people and has donated 100s of millions to make this world a better place.

#1 – Cher Wang

Cher ranks so highly on this list as she is perhaps arguably the most successful female entrepreneur in the world. Her wealth is primarily of her own making rather than being down to working for a large firm or being born wealthy.

She spent many years manufacturing cell phones for other people which earned her a tidy fortune, it wasn’t until she set-up her own company HTC, that her wealth really took off. She has an estimated worth of $6.8 billion, her HTC smartphones have quickly gain notoriety and in 2010, accounted for 20% of the smartphone market.

You may not have heard of her, but she’s undoubtedly influential and her income is entirely down to her own wits rather than any other factor, that’s why Cher Wang deserves the number one spot on this list of the top ten most influential women entrepreneurs.

All of these women are successful entrepreneurs in their own right. All have had to overcome high odds of failure to reach their ultimate destination, and all have greatly influenced millions of people around the world. These successful female entrepreneurs have added so much to our lives and serve as great inspiration for other women wishing to emulate their successes.

I am the the Founder of Addicted2Success.com and I am so grateful you're here to be part of this awesome community. I love connecting with people who have a passion for Entrepreneurship, Self Development & Achieving Success. I started this website with the intention of educating and inspiring likeminded people to always strive for success no matter what their circumstances. I'm proud to say through my podcast and through this website we have impacted over 200 million lives in the last 10 years.

Advertisement
10 Comments

10 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Change Your Mindset

The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers

Uncover the daily rituals and hidden habits that powered history’s most brilliant minds to success.

Published

on

productivity habits of great minds
Image Credit: Midjourney

Why Daily Rituals Matter

Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)

Continue Reading

Did You Know

How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

Published

on

link in bio best practices
Image Credit: Midjourney

Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution.  (more…)

Continue Reading

Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

Published

on

how to build self-confidence through action
Image Credit: Midjourney

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

Continue Reading

Success Advice

Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)

The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

Published

on

Why one-size-fits-all leadership doesn’t work
Image Credit: Midjourney

Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)

Continue Reading

Trending