While women joining the workforce is nothing new, women now make up 29 percent of entrepreneurs, according to a 2015 article in The Atlantic.

Although women have a key part to play in the workforce, they inherently face different challenges than male counterparts. For instance, a female business owner may choose to work part time to balance demands of work and family. Although much has changed in the last 100 years, women still face nuanced judgements and perceptions about their abilities and leadership capabilities. However, each day more female leaders continue to disprove outdated stereotypes.

Below are some inspirational female entrepreneurs who have achieved the dream of running and owning a successful business.

Flickr was started by Catrina Fake, an art director for the magazine Salon.

The Body Shop was founded by Anita Roddick, who wished to support her family while her husband traveled.

Grandin Livestock Handling Systems was started by Temple Grandin, a professor at Colorado State University, who has created humane livestock facilities.

Closer to home, Craig Technologies was founded by Carol Craig, a military veteran who saw the need to bring breakthrough technology to multiple industries. She founded this company in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Avant Healthcare Professionals is another Florida company founded by a woman who turned her challenges and familiarity with the healthcare system into a healthcare staffing agency.

Success stories, such as the inspirational women entrepreneurs highlighted in this post, often fuel the drive to succeed in your own business. As these women discovered, inspiration coupled with the proper tools to build their business was the right formula for success. The staff at ActionCOACH Tampa Bay wish to provide you with free e-books containing practical tips for improving your business. Please make use of these and other resources to be successful and stay inspired!