The Real ROI Of Investing In Women's Ideas
Last week, I shared Part 1 of this series, and in it, we talked about why investing in women’s ideas is one of the smartest business moves we can make. The data is incredibly clear: women-led businesses generate more revenue, make better decisions, and fuel innovation.
But there’s another reason this matters so deeply, and it’s not just economic.
When women rise, we all rise.
I have long believed that a rising tide lifts all ships, and never has that been truer than when women build, lead, and grow businesses.
Women Don’t Just Build Businesses. They Build Movements.
Over the last two and a half years, I’ve worked exclusively with purpose-driven female entrepreneurs, women building businesses not just for profit, but for impact. And here’s what I’ve seen firsthand:
These women aren’t chasing influence for ego’s sake. They are deeply passionate about their missions because of lived, professional, and personal experiences.
They’re building things that matter—to their families, to their communities, to the world.
They’re asking better questions, tackling harder problems, and refusing to accept the status quo.
Just like before, the data backs this up.
Women reinvest up to 90% of their income into their families and communities. (Global Citizen, Clinton Global Initiative, World Economic Forum)
Microfinance programs that prioritize women have resulted in increased education, improved health outcomes, and expanded economic opportunities. (Abebe & Kegne, UNFPA, Outlook)
Women-led companies are significantly more likely to prioritize sustainability, social impact, and long-term community investment. (CNote)
I want to go back to the first bullet: 90% reinvested.
That means when a woman earns more, families eat better. Kids go to school. Healthcare improves. Businesses grow. Entire communities thrive.
That’s not a side benefit; that’s the ripple effect of empowering women. And in a world consumed with unchecked capitalism and corporate greed, that’s not a “nice-to-have”; it’s an essential piece of creating a kinder, more just, more equitable world. Women are leading the way.
What Does It Mean to Truly Invest in Women?
As I’ve reflected on this question, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not just about writing a check (though yes, funding matters). Investing in women is also about:
Mentoring and sponsoring women—especially in industries or spaces where they’re underrepresented. In some cases, access to networks and the right people are just as important, if not more important, than the money.
Amplifying women’s ideas. This can take a lot of forms. In some cases it’s about amplifying women’s ideas in rooms they’re not in (yet); this is especially true for our Black, brown, and indigenous sisters who are still at an incredible disadvantage.
It might also be that WE women must amplify each others’ ideas. During the Obama administration, the female aides found that when one woman shared an idea, if other women in the room amplified her ideas AND gave her credit, it often stuck. We need to do that in spades WITH and FOR each other.
Challenging the systems that weren’t designed with us in mind. I could go on and on about the patriarchal, capitalist system we are living in. That system, as I mentioned last week, had zero incentive or desire to change. Power, greed, and control are hard to overcome, but not impossible. Keep pushing back, challenging the status quo.
Doing the internal work. That system I mentioned, the one not designed for us, has also played a critical role in conditioning us to believe, think, and show up a certain way in order to be “accepted.”
And if we’re going to push back on this system, change the course that we’re on, that means we have to rewrite the narratives we think and believe about ourselves… and each other! This requires us to ask ourselves:
What limiting beliefs are we holding on to?
Where are we shrinking? Physically? Intellectually? Emotionally? With our ideas?
Where have we internalized that we need to wait for permission? That we need to be less bold? To be “likeable”?
Examining the ways we’ve been conditioned to shrink, stay silent, or wait our turn takes time and work. But it’s work worth doing because it will allow you to own your ideas, claim your space, and be visible in ways that actually lead to clients, cash, and revenue.
Calling out bias, especially when it’s subtle, normalized, or dismissed.
It Starts With Us
This isn’t just a leadership issue. It’s a societal one. And no matter your role, gender, or level of influence—you have a part to play.
Ladies: Keep using your voice. Keep showing up boldly, even when it’s uncomfortable. Amplify another woman’s idea this week. Next week. Every week.
Men: Be an ally. If you’re not sure what that means, ask one of us! Use your privilege to open doors, shift power, and create access.
Leaders with influence, access, and resources: Fund women’s ideas. Sponsor their leadership. Open doors for them. Help rebuild the system, so it actually works for all of us.
A Final Thought
Melinda Gates said, “When we invest in women and girls, we are not just investing in individuals—we are investing in solutions, economies, and a better future for everyone.”
I hope the business case for investing in women’s ideas and their voices is clear. Women see, feel, and experience the world’s problems faster and worse than everyone else. It’s time we finally invested in the people who have been leading, problem-solving, and serving all along.
What is your next step?
If you have a big idea, a message, or belief that you know is worth sharing but don’t have the words, let’s talk. I would love to help you get crystal clear on what you really want to say and share it with confidence. Click here to get started.
