International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the achievements of women around the world. It’s a day to recognize the progress we’ve made toward gender equality. To acknowledge there’s still work to be done to make a positive difference for women. UN Women’s theme for 2023’s International Women’s Day is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.” We’ve seen this theme take life in the form of women sellers in eCommerce–making significant strides, particularly as Amazon sellers.
According to a report by JungleScout, women make up 32% of Amazon marketplace sellers. This is huge especially considering that women-owned businesses only account for 40% of all businesses in the United States!
Why are women so successful as Amazon sellers?
- It’s no secret (seriously, there have been studies around it) women tend to be great multitaskers. Consider many of the women who start their eCommerce businesses: they’re already juggling a lot between full-time jobs and their families. Women are familiar with managing multiple responsibilities and can apply those skill sets to their businesses. They’re able to balance the demands of running a business with the demands of their personal lives.
- Women are usually very detail-oriented. With an eye for detail, women pay attention to the little things that make a big difference in the success of their businesses. Women can be meticulous about their product listings, their customer service, and their branding which can elevate their success in eCommerce. By taking the time to understand their customers, women can tailor their Amazon shop, product offerings, and digital shopping experience to meet their customers’ needs.
- We’ve also continuously seen that women are great communicators. They’re able to connect with customers on a personal level, building relationships that can lead to trust, repeat business, and positive reviews. Women are experts at networking and cultivating strong connections with other sellers and suppliers in their industry.
But starting an eCommerce business is no easy feat, especially for women who are already juggling so much (let’s not forget #1 from the list). It takes time, energy, and often a sizable financial investment. However, for many women, the potential rewards are worth the risk.
Example of a successful woman-owned eCommerce business
Our friend Amy Hoang. Amy was a retail pharmacist before she became an Amazon Seller. Amy and her husband, Uy, started their Amazon business doing retail arbitrage.
They saw immense success selling on Amazon throughout the pandemic. Not only was their business incredibly profitable, but they learned critical dos and don’ts to reach success selling on Amazon. They also learned how eCommerce selling can become a woman’s full-time gig. From their experiences Amy and Uy created an online course that spun off into a community and consulting business called WomenSellers. This side of their business grew quickly (and continues to grow!), with thousands of women entering into and/or growing their side hustle businesses on Amazon.
“I think the biggest challenge in becoming a full-time seller was the mental part of it– having the confidence to know that I can do it and I can make enough money to support myself,” said Hoang. “I want to give women the permission to be okay. If you ever want to do something different just do it. You don’t have to just give up entirely. You can start small and make it work for you.”
Amy’s story isn’t just one of success, it’s a true testament to the ways that women-owned businesses are thriving on Amazon. With the work that Amy and Uy are doing with WomenSellers, there’s proof that fostering a community built on trust, communication, and education can empower women to truly excel and find new heights to pioneer eCommerce.
So, how can we support women entrepreneurs in eCommerce?
Shop from their businesses. By supporting women-owned businesses, we’re not only helping them achieve their dreams and support their families, but we’re also helping to promote gender equality in the business world.
Advocate and support women entrepreneurs by mentoring and advising them. Many women who start eCommerce businesses may not have prior business experience or access to resources and support networks. Lean into your networks and offer your knowledge and expertise to help growing women-owned businesses overcome obstacles and achieve success.
There’s no shortage of ways to show our support and appreciation for women-owned businesses, not just on International Women’s Day but year round! Shopping from women-owned Amazon shops will help increase gender equality in the business world, but it will also widen our product selection beyond what it is today. So make it a habit to check for women-owned businesses when making your online purchases and honor these brave business owners who are paving the way for future generations of female entrepreneurs. Take International Women’s Day as a reminder that with dedication and creativity, we really can achieve “DigitALL!”
