More women than ever are saying goodbye to the 9–5 status quo, and building businesses on their own terms!
This surge of female solopreneurs is not just a trend––it’s a revolution in the world of work. In 2016, women made up just 3.9% of Xolo’s solopreneur community; by 2024, that number soared to 28.65%. In other words, what was once a tiny minority has grown into more than a quarter of Xolo’s user base in under a decade. And this mirrors a broader shift: globally, women now comprise a significant share of freelancers, with one study noting they are slightly over half of all freelancers (Women Freelancers: 53% of Freelancers are Women - Allworknow).
The freelance economy’s newest entrants are increasingly female––55% of new freelancers in recent years have been women (Portal Aggregate of Freelance Economy Statistics - Human Cloud).
This rise of female freelancers and entrepreneurs is worth celebrating. It represents women taking charge of their careers, achieving financial independence, and redefining the future of work on their own terms. Let’s dive into the data and stories that highlight just how far we’ve come––and why it matters for everyone.
Women Solopreneurs on the Rise: Xolo’s Data Tells the Story
Xolo’s own data paints an inspiring picture of progress. Over the past several years, the gender gap among our solopreneurs has been rapidly closing. Consider these highlights:
- Explosive growth in participation: The share of female Xolopreneurs jumped from a mere 3.9% in 2016 to 28.65% in 2024. That’s a nearly sevenfold increase. Women are no longer on the fringes of freelancing; they’re quickly moving toward equal footing.
- Closing the gap in key countries: In several countries, the balance between male and female solopreneurs has transformed dramatically. For example, in Italy Xolo went from a 92% male / 8% female split in 2016 to about 55% male / 45% female in 2024. France saw a similar shift (93/7 to 56/44), and Romania went from 80/20 to 56/44. Remarkably, the UK achieved a perfect 50/50 gender balance among Xolo users (up from 95/5 just a few years ago). The freelance landscape in these countries is no longer a boys’ club––women are just as likely to be running a one-person business as men.
- Different paces of change: Some countries are further along than others, and that’s okay. For instance, about 49% of Xolo’s Italian solopreneurs are now women, whereas in Spain roughly 30% are women. Every country has its own journey, but the trajectory everywhere is trending upward. Even in places that started with a large gender gap, women are quickly catching up.
- Women leading within Xolo: This movement isn’t only among our customers––it’s also reflected in our own team. 69.72% of Xolo’s employees are women, including many in leadership roles. We believe in practicing what we preach: a company that empowers female entrepreneurs should itself be powered by talented women.
These numbers tell a powerful story: the rise of female solopreneurs is unstoppable. Every percentage point gained represents thousands of women choosing independence, creativity and self-determination over traditional career paths. But beyond the numbers, why does this representation matter so much? Let’s explore the impact of having more women at the table in freelancing and entrepreneurship.
Why Representation Matters: Empowerment and Role Models
When we celebrate more women becoming solopreneurs, we’re really celebrating progress in gender equality. Here are a few reasons why representation in this space matters:
Financial independence = empowerment
Money isn’t everything, but having control over your own income is a game-changer. When women earn their own living (and run their own businesses), they gain the freedom to make life decisions on their terms.
This financial independence ripples outwards, and studies show that women reinvest up to 90% of their income back into their families and communities (compared to 30–40% for men) (Invest in Girls and Women: The Ripple Effect – Women Deliver). In other words, empowering a woman economically can uplift an entire community. The rise of female freelancers means more women with the means to support themselves and shape their futures, which is a huge step toward closing gender gaps in society at large.
Inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs
Representation breeds inspiration. Seeing successful female freelancers and founders gives other women and young girls tangible role models to follow. It’s the “If you can see it, you can be it” effect.
Research shows that exposure to female entrepreneurs boosts other women’s entrepreneurial self-confidence and ambitions (Yes, I Can! - A Field Experiment on Female Role Model Effects in Entrepreneurship - ANDE). Every time a woman breaks out on her own––whether she’s a graphic designer in Paris or a developer in Bucharest––she’s sending a message to others: you can do this too. This kind of visibility helps dismantle outdated stereotypes about who can be a CEO, a coder or a successful business owner.
A new approach to work-life balance
Many women turn to solopreneurship, not just to shatter glass ceilings, but to design a work life that fits their needs. Freelancing and entrepreneurship offer flexibility that traditional jobs often can’t.
In fact, women are far more likely than men to choose independent work for the flexible schedule and freedom it provides (Women Freelancers: 53% of Freelancers are Women - Allworknow). Whether it’s a mom structuring her work around school pickups or a digital nomad traveling the world, female solopreneurs are proving that work-life balance can be achieved on an individual’s own terms. Their example is pushing companies and industries to rethink rigid work structures for everyone.
Breaking barriers and driving innovating
A diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem means diverse ideas. Women often bring different perspectives and innovations to the table, which can open up new markets and solutions.
As more women join the ranks of freelancers and founders, we get more services, products and creative approaches that benefit consumers and clients. Plus, a community with strong female representation tends to be more inclusive overall, creating a virtuous cycle of diversity.
In short, when women succeed as solopreneurs, we all win. Their success chips away at gender inequality, creates new role models, and shows the working world that there’s more than one way to build a career. However, to truly celebrate this rise, we must also acknowledge the challenges women have ––and how they’re being overcome.
Overcoming Challenges: From Confidence Gaps to Equal Opportunity
The path to a more inclusive, freelance world hasn’t been easy.
Women stepping into business for themselves have historically encountered a unique set of challenges. The good news is that these challenges are being tackled head-on, and things are improving fast. Let’s look at a few key hurdles and the progress being made:
Bridging the confidence gap
One commonly cited hurdle for women in business is a confidence gap––a tendency to underestimate their abilities or hesitate to “charge what you’re worth.”
This has real effects: in a past analysis of Xolo user data, we found that female solopreneurs were billing around 50% less than their male counterparts for comparable work (Female Xolopreneurs: You're charging 50% less than your male counterparts). That shocking statistic speaks to how women often undervalue their work or feel less confident in pricing and negotiations. Moreover, a recent UK survey showed only 29% of female entrepreneurs felt it’s easy to run a business, versus 48% of male entrepreneurs who felt the same (It's time for action to close the entrepreneurial confidence gap - Sumer).
But here’s the silver lining: awareness of this confidence gap is half the battle. As the conversation around women’s empowerment grows, more women are recognizing their own worth and charging accordingly. Mentorship programs and communities are popping up to help women build business skills and confidence. In fact, women’s perceptions of their entrepreneurial abilities have been rising––over the last two decades, there’s been a 27% increase in women who believe they have the skills to start a business ( GEM Global Entrepreneurship Monitor). The result? The income and pricing gap is starting to narrow, and women are entering business with bolder ambitions than ever before.
Fighting bias and unequal treatment
Unfortunately, many women freelancers have experienced bias in their careers. A Xolo-led survey revealed that 81% of female freelancers felt they had been treated differently due to their gender (81% of female freelancers treated "differently" - Freelance Informer).
Common scenarios included being perceived as less competent, offered lower pay than male peers, or passed over in favor of men (81% of female freelancers treated "differently" - Freelance Informer). These biases, whether conscious or not, have historically made it harder for women to thrive on their own. The encouraging news is that awareness and advocacy are making a difference. Women are speaking out about unfair treatment, which pressures industries to change.
There’s also a growing solidarity among female freelancers––networks where women support women, refer each other to clients, and call out inequality. And it’s working: as more female solopreneurs prove their excellence, clients and companies are forced to shed outdated prejudices. It’s increasingly common to see women respected as experts in fields from tech to consulting, judged on their skills and results rather than stereotypes.
Access to resources and support
Beyond biases, women have often faced structural barriers like harder access to funding or resources for their businesses. For instance, female entrepreneurs historically receive a tiny fraction of venture capital funding, and they might lack the old-boys’-club networks that many men benefit from. This is changing.
There’s a rising number of initiatives aimed at leveling the playing field, from female-focused business grants and funds to accelerators and online communities for women entrepreneurs. Governments and investors are waking up, too. (The UK government even launched a new £50 million fund to support female entrepreneurs (It's time for action to close the entrepreneurial confidence gap - Sumer).) On the ground, this means that a woman with a great business idea today has far more places to turn for help than she did a decade ago––whether it’s a Facebook group of women freelancers sharing tips or a platform like Xolo offering hassle-free business admin.
The result is a much more supportive ecosystem that is enabling women to start up and scale up their solo businesses like never before.
Importantly, the challenges are being met with solutions. Every year, the confidence gap shrinks, and access to resources grows. Perhaps the clearest evidence of progress is simply the momentum we highlighted earlier: women are joining the solopreneur ranks at a record pace. They’re proving that any remaining barriers are surmountable. And as they do, those barriers will crumble for the next generation.
In a Global Entrepreneurship Monitor study, entrepreneurial perceptions among women have improved significantly, with a 79% increase in women seeing good business opportunities around them compared to 20 years ago ( GEM Global Entrepreneurship Monitor). That means millions more women now feel empowered to seize those opportunities––and many already are.
Real Stories: Women Who Made the Leap with Xolo
Every statistic above represents real individuals with inspiring journeys. Let’s shine a spotlight on just a few real-life female solopreneurs from the Xolo community who have forged their own path. Their stories show what’s possible when talent and determination meet opportunity:
- Saskia – Accomplishing more with less: Meet Saskia, a minimalist entrepreneur who built a thriving business by simplifying her life and work. She proves that you don’t need a huge team or complex setup to succeed. By focusing on what truly matters (and cutting out the rest), she’s achieved more by doing less. Read her story in “A minimalist’s guide to accomplishing more with less” on our blog 👉 Explore Saskia’s minimalist success.
- Bernadett – From pandemic hobby to profit: When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Bernadett found solace in a simple hobby. Little did she know it would transform into a profitable side hustle and a new career. She took a passion project born in lockdown and, through hard work and smart freelancing, turned it into a thriving business. Her journey shows that sometimes our hobbies hold the seeds of entrepreneurship 👉 Read about Bernadett’s journey.
- Ludi – Embracing freedom across borders: Ludi’s story is one of adventure as much as entrepreneurship. Hailing from Barcelona, she took the bold step to move to Indonesia and start freelancing remotely. With the help of Xolo, she manages clients back in Europe while enjoying an island lifestyle. Ludi proves that solopreneurship can unlock a life of travel and freedom that many only dream of 👉 See how Ludi built her borderless career.
- Tamara – Tech leader turned solo success: Tamara, a Ukrainian tech professional, relocated to Zurich and decided to launch her own freelance consultancy. Stepping away from corporate life, she leveraged her expertise to become her own boss in a foreign country––and achieved outstanding success. Her story shows that with skill and confidence, you can start over anywhere and rise to the top 👉 Discover Tamara’s freelance success.
These women come from different backgrounds and industries, but they all share a common thread: they took the leap into solopreneurship and never looked back. Their experiences echo those of thousands of others. By carving out their own space, they’ve found fulfillment, flexibility and financial reward. And thanks to platforms like Xolo, taking care of the bureaucracy, they could more readily focus on what they love and do best.
Their stories are living proof that the rise of female solopreneurs isn’t just about numbers going up––it’s about real people achieving their dreams. Each success story lights the way for more to follow, creating a chain reaction of empowerment.
Take the Leap: It’s Your Turn to Shine as a Solopreneur
If you’re a woman with a marketable skill, a business idea, or simply a drive to be your own boss, there has never been a better time to take the leap.
The landscape has changed: the support networks are in place, the trail has been blazed by those before you, and the demand for independent talent is booming. By stepping into solopreneurship, you gain full control of your career: the power to choose your projects, set your schedule, and grow at your own pace. You’re not just creating a job for yourself; you’re designing a life built around you.
Of course, making the leap can feel daunting. That’s where Xolo comes in. We created Xolo to remove the administrative hassle from freelancing, so that more people can pursue their ambitions without getting bogged down in paperwork and red tape. When you join Xolo, we’ve got your back on the boring but necessary stuff (like compliance, invoicing, taxes), freeing you to focus on delivering your talent to the world. In other words, we handle the “business” of your business, while you handle the creativity and expertise only you can provide.
The rise of female solopreneurs is a testament to what’s possible when talent meets opportunity. Now it’s your turn. Whether you want to start a side hustle or launch a full-time freelance career, don’t let anything hold you back. You belong in this movement. The world needs your ideas, your skills, and your perspective––and you deserve the freedom and fulfillment that come with being a solopreneur.
Join the growing sisterhood of women who have decided to become their own boss. We can’t wait to see your journey unfold.
Ready to get started? Get your solopreneur journey underway with Xolo by your side.