Women Are More Positive Than Men About Business Prospects

Australian women in business continue to lead with optimism, resilience, and strategic confidence. Recent reports show that female entrepreneurs and business leaders are not only outperforming expectations—they’re also feeling more optimistic about the future of their businesses and the economy compared to their male counterparts.

This trend echoes findings from past studies, including the Sensis Business Index and the legacy of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards. Today, those insights are more relevant than ever as women continue to reshape Australia’s small business and entrepreneurial landscape.

Latest Insights: Female Founders Remain Upbeat

While earlier research highlighted women’s strong confidence in business growth, updated data from organisations such as WGEA and state-level small business agencies shows the trend continues into 2025.

Key insights from recent studies:

• Female entrepreneurs are more optimistic about revenue growth in the next 12 months compared to male peers—especially in sectors like retail, consulting, wellness, and education.
• Women are more likely to seek and receive funding when supported through grant programs or mentorship networks.
• Women-led businesses prioritise long-term sustainability, community engagement, and purpose-driven values, which may contribute to increased consumer trust and resilience.

In fact, the 2023 State of Australian Startups report found that women founders were more likely to scale sustainably and retain team members over the long term—a critical differentiator in today’s dynamic workforce.

Business Confidence Leads to Action

It’s not just positive thinking—women are also more likely to take bold steps toward growth:

• More than half of female business owners reported plans to expand operations or hire new staff in the next 12 months
• Women are increasingly pursuing business education to strengthen their strategy, digital marketing, and financial management skills
• Female-led businesses are embracing innovation—especially in digital transformation, ecommerce, and sustainability

Empowering Women in Business

Programs like the Telstra Best of Business Awards continue to shine a spotlight on high-performing women who are changing industries and communities. These awards—and others like them—play a critical role in encouraging visibility, connection, and long-term growth for women-led businesses.

Naomi Simson, founder of RedBalloon and past award winner, puts it simply: “Success breeds success. When women surround themselves with a strong community, anything is possible.”

Thinking of Starting Your Own Business?

If you’re feeling inspired to launch your own business or take your existing one to the next level, it’s never been a better time. Explore flexible, nationally recognised business and leadership courses to gain the skills you need in areas like:

• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Leadership and strategy
• Digital marketing and communications
• Small business finance

These skills not only help grow a business—they also help boost confidence, expand networks, and fuel long-term success.