The Future of Black Women-Owned Businesses: Where We’re Headed & How to Get Paid

Shalena Ward
Sep 9
2 min read

Let’s be real, Black women aren’t just joining the business world—we’re running it. Over the last five years, the number of Black women-owned businesses shot up by more than 50%. Yep, even in a pandemic and economic uncertainty, sisters are building empires.

We’re talking 2 million+ businesses owned by Black women, employing over half a million people, and bringing in close to $100 billion in revenue every year. That’s power. That’s legacy. And honestly, it’s only the beginning.

But here’s the thing—imagine if our businesses brought in the same average revenue as other groups. The U.S. economy could gain up to $1.5 trillion more a year. So not only is this about us—it’s about changing the entire economic landscape.

The Industries Where We Shine

Healthcare & Social Assistance

We’ve always been caregivers, and now we’re turning that into revenue. From home care agencies to doula services, this space is recession-proof and in high demand.

Transportation & Logistics

Black-owned transport and trucking companies exploded by 150% recently. Think delivery contracts with Amazon, medical transport for seniors, or freight brokerage. There’s money here.

Real Estate & Property

Black women are doubling their presence in real estate—whether that’s property management, short-term rentals, or notary services. Owning property = building generational wealth.

Beauty, Retail & Wellness

The Black haircare industry alone is worth billions, and we dominate it. Whether it’s an e-commerce brand, a beauty supply store, or wellness coaching, these are businesses built on cultural loyalty and repeat customers.

The Future Is Digital (and We’re Leading It)

More and more Black women are breaking barriers online—running Shopify stores, launching digital courses, building influencer brands, and cashing in on content creation. Why? Because digital is low-cost, scalable, and can run 24/7 while you sleep.

And don’t sleep on tech and AI either. Black women founders are stepping into spaces like app development, community-driven data, and AI-powered marketing services. Investors are watching—and they’re finally opening their wallets.

So, What Businesses Should You Start If You Want to Make Money?

Here’s the short list, bestie:

Healthcare & Home Care Services – recession-proof, government-backed.
Transportation & Logistics – hot shot trucking, delivery, or medical transport.
Real Estate & Property Services – rental management, notary, flipping.
Beauty, Haircare & Wellness – products, salons, e-commerce stores.
Digital Products & Online Education – courses, memberships, coaching.
Food & Hospitality – food trucks, ghost kitchens, catering.
Tech & AI Services – app development, data consulting, AI-powered marketing.

Notice a theme? Essential needs (health, housing, transport, food) mixed with scalable digital businesses (beauty, online courses, tech). That’s where the consistent money flows.

Black women aren’t waiting for permission—we’re building legacies, creating jobs, and redefining industries. The future is bright, but it’s also ours to take.

If you’ve been sitting on a business idea, this is your sign. The opportunities are real, the money is on the table, and the time to move is now.

Because the truth is… we’re not just participating in entrepreneurship. We’re shaping the future.