Women entrepreneurs – these four factors determine your success when starting a business

More and more women in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are taking the plunge into self-employment. According to a recent GoDaddy survey, 45 percent of small businesses in the DACH region are now run by women. Being your own boss, working flexibly, and realizing your own ideas—the advantages are obvious.

A remarkable aspect of self-employment is that more than half of all female small business owners in the DACH region are also mothers (54%). They are not starting their businesses out of necessity, but out of a desire to provide a better life for themselves and their families – with more freedom, flexibility, and self-fulfillment.

But alongside the enthusiasm, starting a business also brings challenges: How do I find a viable business idea? What financial and digital tools do I need to become self-employed? And how do I make myself visible on the market?

To get off to a successful start, female founders should consider a few essential factors.

1. Test your business idea early on

Not every idea makes it to a successful business – this can be due to financial resources, market demand, competition, or simply timing. To make the best use of time and money, it is crucial to test the business idea as early as possible.

To do this, a minimum viable product (MVP) – i.e., a simplified version of the offering – can be considered in order to gather customer feedback in the initial phase. For example, someone who wants to sell sustainable fashion can start with a small collection on online marketplaces. Or a budding consultant can attract their first customers via social media or free webinars. This allows the offering to be adapted before larger investments become necessary.

2. Use digital tools wisely

Many female founders underestimate how much digital solutions can make everyday business life easier, especially when you’re self-employed. They save time, reduce costs, and ensure a professional appearance.

• Website builders such as GoDaddy’s AI tool Airo help you quickly establish an appealing online presence.
• Accounting software such as sevDesk or Lexoffice makes it easier to manage income and expenses.
• Project management tools such as Trello or Asana ensure better structure and more efficient processes.

Those who use digital tools in a targeted manner can focus more on growing their business.

3. Build and use networks

Success rarely comes alone – networking is an important factor for success, especially for women. While many male founders can draw on existing business contacts, women often have to seek support more specifically.

Platforms such as “Female Founders” or “Business & Professional Women (BPW)” offer valuable contacts and opportunities for exchange.

An active presence on LinkedIn can also help you position yourself as an expert and network with potential partners. Mentoring programs are particularly valuable, as they help you avoid typical beginner mistakes in self-employment and grow faster.

4. Stay flexible and think long term

No business runs exactly according to plan – adaptability is therefore a key factor for success. Those who regularly seek customer feedback, continue to develop their business model, and remain open to new opportunities have a better chance of success in the long term.

At the same time, mistakes and challenges are part of the process. The key is to learn from them and not get discouraged. Even successful entrepreneurs often needed several attempts before their concept really worked.

Conclusion: The right mix of planning and courage leads to success

Starting a business is not just about completing and ticking off to-do lists – it’s about turning beliefs into concrete values. For female entrepreneurs in the DACH region, early validation of an idea, the intelligent use of digital tools, strategic networking, and agile thinking form a strong framework. But the real catalyst is the goal and purpose behind the start-up: the desire to shape a career – and a life – that is in harmony with one’s own ambitions and family needs. Self-employment makes this possible. Those who combine clear planning with the courage to iterate turn every obstacle into an opportunity to shape their own path in the best possible way.

Alexandra Anderson

Alexandra Anderson ist Marketing Director Germany bei GoDaddy und seit mehr als zehn Jahren als Marketingexpertin in der IT-Branche tätig. Seit sechs Jahren kümmert sie sich speziell um den Anbieter GoDaddy in Deutschland, mit besonderem Fokus auf digitales Marketing. Ein besonderes Anliegen ist ihr die Digitalisierung von Mikro- und Kleinunternehmer:innen.