It’s amazing to witness women excelling in various entrepreneurial sectors and proving every day that women are capable of everything. Be it fashion, technology, broadcasting, or publishing, these women have established themselves as the lead driving force behind the success of their platforms and empowering aspiring women entrepreneurs every day by encouraging them to take their entrepreneurial leap.
Their passion and determination are shaking the business world and setting new industry standards for their male counterparts. These female disruptors are proving their worth with their amazing business ideas and acing in their respective fields. Check out the list below to know the most influential women disruptors of 2021.
Kimberly Carney
Kimberly Carney is the Founder and CEO of FashWire and GlossWire, two high-growth global app and web-based platforms. Kimberly combined her previous 20+ years of experience in tech with her 15+ years of working in the fashion industry to develop a two-sided global marketplace where fashion brands could leverage data-driven insights in an innovative, low-cost scalable way to bridge the connection between designers and consumers. Conversely, consumers can use swipe and social technologies to directly interact with designers. Since FashWire’s launch in 2018, and finding success in a global pandemic, FashWire has grown to 375+ designers from 40+ countries. In addition to disrupting the fashion space, Kimberly recently launched into the beauty industry with GlossWire. She has been recognized in the CEO Publication as one of the Top CEO’s of 2020, New York Fashion Tech Lab as an Industry Expert and by Authority Magazine as a disruptor in the digital space.
Jenan Alsehali
Jen Alsehali, founder of Jenan center and ÂMÉ, is a tenured licensed physical therapist practicing in the medical field for 10 years, she started her practice to help solve what’s lacking in the healthcare industry today: proactive independence and health confidence stemming from education. She noticed how society is reactive to sickness and injury, and more dependent on our healthcare providers than ever before because wellness education isn’t prioritized. With her meticulous approach her clinical schedule was constantly full, she realized that she wouldn’t be able to change the world’s healthcare by seeing one patient at a time. ÂMÉ is a manifestation of her vision to bring holistic wellness education and balance to a broader audience. It covers the inherent mental and physical process of natural robust aging. In addition to scientific wisdom, ÂMÉ features intuitive and alternative therapy. She created this digital lacuna as a place to connect on deep rooted practices, unearthly phenomena, and all things wellness for our insides and out.
Tracey Kearse
AcARRE™️ founder, CEO, and Chief Chemist Tracey is an esteemed chemical engineer who has worked in product development and marketing for over seventeen years. While working for a skin and hair care company, Tracey was approached by a friend looking for a product that she could use on her scalp. At this time, Tracey’s sister also came forward requesting a high-quality multi-use product for her face and scalp. These inquiries planted the seed for Tracey to develop a product with multiple uses for skin and hair. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, the decision to begin her own company was a natural one, and soon AcARRE™️ was formed.
Shortly after starting AcARRE™️, Tracey discovered she was expecting her first child. Becoming a mother, working full-time, and being a business owner, inspired Tracey to develop multi-use bioactive products made from natural ingredients for balance to the skin, for the beauty minimalist.
Creatively, she enjoys brainstorming on innovative ideas that have a direct impact on consumers and the influence that drives those changes. Taking her aspirations to another level allows her to pursue her passion every day.
Katie Anne Barnett
Katie Barnett is an authentic, dynamic and passionate influencer known most online and throughout her communities as an agent of change. Her first entrepreneurship, Chico Chalk & Calligraphy launched her love for business yet she felt the time constraints related to raising a family. She jumped into direct sales paving a new way to run a business solely online. By teaching others how to replicate her success, she has greatly impacted many lives globally. In a time when others were comfortable staying safe, Katie made her greatest personal and professional shift earning her the title of “disruptive.” She leaped into discomfort to join the most forward-thinking company in the gig economy. She’s a strong advocate for mental health, women’s rights, and living authentically. With her Master’s of Education and growing success, she hopes to empower others to discover their dream life through her coaching business and growing podcast agenda.
Kelly Teasdale
Kelly Teasdale is a major disruptor of the mainstream marketing and business growth industry. This highly experienced marketer has an enviable client list and proven track record with the likes of L’Oreal, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Samsung, The Walgreens Boots Alliance and GSK.
Kelly has been behind countless successful initiatives for well-loved brands such as Coca-Cola, Soap & Glory and Viagra and she was also part of the communications team that fought off Pfizer’s hostile bid of AstraZeneca in 2014.
In 2015, Kelly founded Market My Product Ltd and now splits her time between consulting for global corporate organisations and coaching small businesses.
In FTSE 250 circles, Kelly is known for her results-focused strategic approach and her ability to apply big business techniques to the small business environment, also makes her one of the most trusted business coaches in the start-up world. Kelly’s work is dynamic, intelligent and unafraid of the status-quo.
Steph Hamill FRSA
Creative innovator and diverse founder, Steph Hamill is transforming EXperience. Her transition from advertising to tech has gifted her a perspective to guide businesses from ‘tech-functions’ to ‘human-benefits’ mindsets. “I couldn’t continue to use my skills to sell things that could damage health or the planet, so I transferred my skills, helping businesses make lives better while taking care of the bottomline.”
At MettaNoon, Steph’s team consulted on the power of a human-centred approach to EXperience for clients including a bank, airline and EV company. And in 2020, Steph fully ignited EmpathyEQ.AI, a cutting-edge AI SaaS solution for entertainment platforms. “EmpathyEQ.AI takes a transformative approach to digital healthcare and how platforms can support users to make better choices.”
And given her brand roots, Steph is launching a sustainable luxury dental care company, CharcoalBamboo. After disappointment with ‘recyclable’ replacement electric toothbrush heads, Steph made her own, taking the responsibility to recycle away from the consumer by making the product sustainable. True to form, even the CharcoalBamboo D2C EXperience is different. “Our customer relationship happens via message. No email spam. WhatsApps and one-click purchases, making life easier while being planet-conscious.”
Vanessa Shepherd
Vanessa Shepherd is shaking up the marketing norms as the CEO of She’s Got Vision. Known for her success behind the scenes at marketing agencies working with high-profile clients, she wanted more for her clients than basic services could offer. After being in the thick of bro marketer land, she developed Ad Prep School™ to help bridge the gap between what’s possible and what’s typically delivered by business coaches and marketers. Vanessa laid the groundwork for a roadmap to getting ready to run ads that’s simple enough for any business to follow and find success without overcomplicating the process. Leveraging her business degrees and agency experience, Vanessa is exposing the gaps in typical marketing approaches while helping her clients create a unique marketing ecosystem that works for them, even when they’re on vacation!
Ayo Ogun
Ayo Ogun, a mom of six, including three girls with different hair textures, wanted products that allowed her daughters a painless experience. Starting a business was always in the cards, but this mission helped propel her purpose. With her homeschooling children in tow, Ayo embarked on a self-taught journey at neighborhood bookstores & libraries and studied all there was to learn about starting a business, marketing, sales, taxes and taking a binder-full of notes! Within 3 years of research & development, Soultanicals was born. Her toxin-free vegan line enables customers to address natural hair textures through high-quality hair care products formulated with natural ingredients. What started out as a small, handmade business from her kitchen in 2012, quickly morphed into a seven-figure company with viral-selling, sold out products! Fast forward to 2021, Soultanicals is now in over 5,000 stores Worldwide, including major Retailers such as Walmart, Target, Sally Beauty & Rite Aid.
Madeleine Wyke Silva, The Business Architect
Madeleine Wyke Silva, the Business Architect, is known for disrupting the mundane to bring in the spiritual, designing business models as unique as the visionary leaders, change-makers and rebel entrepreneurs she serves.
She has worked with multi-million dollar businesses and innovative entrepreneurs worldwide, teaching them to evolve their business structures to align with their visions using wit, smarts and piercing clarity.
As a speaker she has captivated small private audiences and appeared on coast-to-coast stages, podcasts and radio, speaking to audiences of thousands of some of the world’s most powerful visionary leaders, both in personal transformation and leading-edge business settings.
The daughter of one of seven rebel entrepreneurs in a small town in socialist Sweden, she learned the ropes working in her father’s business from the time she was twelve until she immigrated to the United States by herself when she was just nineteen.
After building five businesses from scratch on shoe-string budgets and selling two businesses for top dollars, Madeleine continues to disrupt the status quo of the entrepreneurial world with her out-of-the-box thinking and ingenious Evolutionary Business Methodology.
Keri Ann Kimball
Keri Ann Kimball is currently heading business and creative development for TAP STUDIOS—a Creative Media Agency in Hollywood and has a few projects in development and production. The most exciting franchise animation in the works is HAIBU; an entertainment franchise of books, tv shows, films, and games—invoking thought and positive change worldwide. We partnered with an important non-profit, WILD AID, in this animation franchise to ensure that we make an impact and change the world to stop wildlife cruelty. Keri Ann has obtained the “Life Rights” to stories some very interesting “Real Life Heroes”. Keri Ann Kimball was born in San Francisco and trained at San Francisco’s renowned ACT and then went on to study at Tisch School of Arts at New York University in Theatre and Film. Kimball Entertainment is a successful consulting firm to the Hollywood Entertainment Industry, developing film and TV projects while managing the creators.
Dr. Nancy Lee
Dr. Nancy Lee is a clinical psychologist in Beverly Hills, California and the author of Don’t Sleep With Him Yet: A Badass Guide to Dating in 10 Empowering Steps. Through her book, a 2019 runaway bestseller, Dr. Lee disrupted today’s dating world by introducing the concept of obligatory “polite,” “people-pleasing” sex and, more importantly, by showing women how to stand up to the emotional manipulation often at its core. Dr. Lee also cuts out the blame game and instead provides actionable tools across multi-facets, including confidence-building, strategic online dating and overcoming heartbreak. She even explores sensual sex and women’s relationship to beauty. Regarding the latter, consider: “A low-cut blouse or short skirt at any age says that the wearer is attuned to her body and femininity. It says nothing about if and when she’ll have sex.”
The book mirrors Dr. Lee’s therapeutic style, melding applied psychology, data-driven research, and neuroscience to empower both men and women to thrive in life. A Vitals’ Patients’ Choice award recipient, Dr. Lee’s engaging approach, incisive insights, and unique blend of clinical and scholarly expertise continue to render her not only a favorite among patients and readers, but a rising, inspiring sought-after speaker as well.
Jacquie Robison
Jacquie Robison is the founder of WAWOS (We’re All Working On Something), a multi-national nonprofit with a mission to celebrate children with neuromuscular delays and physical differences.
When Jacquie became a mom, the notion that she would one day hear “your child has cerebral palsy” wasn’t on her parenting roadmap. The diagnosis reminded her that we’re our own map makers and she resolved to embrace that spirit of adventure and discovery. So, when her daughter was prescribed a walker to practice stepping and commented that people were staring but not saying hi, Jacquie wondered, “How can I motivate my girl to step and encourage others to look beyond the device and see my amazing child?”
She created a hand-sewn walker cape with a leotard and tutu attached, and the response from her daughter was electric! More than that was the way people began to engage with her daughter — asking about her interest in ballet and complimenting her on the fun design.
Jacquie believed it was an idea that could make a difference for other families, and she launched the nonprofit to shift perception of disability and promote inclusion. Now, the all-volunteer organization makes and gives away these walkercapes for free. In three years, they’ve sent over 1200 to pediatric therapy clinics, rehabilitation hospitals and directly to families around the world.
The goal is to give more than a walkercape — it’s to create connection, conversation and community.
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, she recently launched a sister organization, WAWOS Canada in Toronto, Canada.
Raquel Tamez
Raquel currently serves as the Chief Inclusion & Engagement Officer at Charles River Associates, a global consulting firm. Prior to CRA, Raquel served as CEO of SHPE. Raquel joined SHPE in 2017 at a critical moment in time, implementing the biggest strategic transformation in the organization’s 50-year history. Prior to SHPE, Raquel served as CLO of SourceAmerica, a national nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Raquel began her career as a trial attorney after which she served in several high-impact roles in both the private and corporate spheres. Raquel has been widely recognized for her work in the legal sector and for her commitment to DE&I. In 2020, Raquel attended the World Economic Forum in Davos as part of the first-ever Hispanic delegation; and she received the Ohtli Award from the Mexican government, in recognition of her efforts to empower Hispanic communities abroad.
Blaise Hunter
Blaise Hunter is breaking barriers with her consulting agency Blaise the Trail inc. Known as the Modern-Day Superhero—Heroine, she contends for women to own their super identity.
Blaise is an author, two-time award-winning humanitarian, international speaker, fertility expert, certified human rights advocate, Mother of Purpose, and Breaker of Chains. She is a change agent for women’s rights. Blaise’s mission is to shake up the status quo and right the wrongs of this world. Her “disruption leads to inclusion” approach is making an impact wherever she goes. Leveraging her expertise in the entertainment, journalism, and public relations industries, she is a sought-after consultant. Blaise teaches people to do away with old tactics and play it SMART—Have a Strategy, utilize Marketing, be an Ambassador, lead with Respect, and operate as a Team.
Blaise founded the Heroine Movement to empower women to draw their swords and breathe fire on this world.
Denise Andrea Cherrington
Denise Andrea Cherrington is the founder of Poise’d Wines. Denise’s love for wine led her to want to create a wine that matches her taste, fashion, and lifestyle. She decided to go for it because why not. 2020 caused her to really think about her life and where she wanted to go next. Here we are in 2021, she’s an African American woman who stepped out on faith and decided to go for it, and create something that she can call her own and be proud of.
She quotes “Why did I choose Poise’d you ask? It describes me. How I carry myself, how I deal with life situations. The illustration? Well, she is me, a little style, a little fun, a little sexy all with poise. I’m just a girl combining her love of style and pouring it into a great wine.
Cheers!”
Natasha June Phillips
A transplant from Johannesburg and a survivor of domestic violence, Natasha realized that she is obsessed with living her best life and thriving. She shares everything she learns with anyone who’ll listen. Seeking out people, products, ideas, and concepts to share that make your life a little easier, a little better, and give all the opportunity to live their best life. Before this transition, she founded and ran one of the most recognized and respected corporate event management companies in Africa, working with clients such as Adobe, Nissan, HP, Nestle, TomTom, UBS, Intel, Ogilvy, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, etc.
Understanding the demands and pressures of working with Fortune 500 companies in several different verticals defines Natasha’s approach to business and clients. Hosting a live streaming show on SwayTV on Amazon Live is just the beginning. So stay tuned and keep watching to see what’s next. Let’s Sway!
Denise Maloney
“I still remember looking down, and how proud I was of those callouses on my hands. Although I was 17 years old and between school, studying and friends. I just earned my inland Waterway Tugboat license just like my father and grandfather had done.” Even as a young woman Denise Maloney had already developed what many today call “grit” that amazing combination of passion, determination, discipline and optimism that is the cornerstone to achievement.
In her current role – Denise continues to lead, now catalyzing innovation and optimizing strategies across multiple business units while leading an incredible team. Her business is truly all about seeing others succeed and showing them how to win.
Threaded through her storied career Denise has delivered thousands of volunteer hours supporting, mentoring and guiding a new generation of young people.
Megan Wintle
Megan is the dedicated Marketing Director at Nexio, a payment platform. Because of her intense strategic focus, she hopes to become the first female member of the executive team, breaking the glass ceiling and paving the way for women in leadership positions. Megan herself is a phenomenal leader. She uses her leadership skills to delegate and encourage her employees. In addition to Marketing, Megan has experience in B2B Sales, Direct Sales, Ecommerce, and FinTech. She has disrupted every field she entered by completely redoing their marketing to build brand awareness. She has accomplished all of this while also having six kids and believes, “You can have whatever you want. If you want a family, you can. If you want a career, you can. You can even have both!” When it comes to Marketing, Megan never misses the mark.
Eunice Onyema
Eunice Onyema is the founder of ENO Accountants. A qualified accountant and ACCA fellow, she has over 20 years corporate accounting and business experience within various industries including media, non-profits, local and central government organisations and the professional services industries
Eunice runs workshops for business owners , educating them on proper financial management for their business. She is passionate about the financial empowerment of women and black communities in order to close the wealth inequality gap that exists globally
Eunice lives in London with her husband and 3 children.
Delia Parker-Mims
An SMU Law School graduate, Delia Parker-Mims is managing attorney of Parker Legal. Her advocacy is providing a strong voice to vulnerable populations such as the disabled who have no means of financial support. She is one of the only providers of this service in the Lewisville Texas area. Parker-Mims seeks to disrupt the traditional method of obtaining disability by establishing a local advocacy presence built with community representatives. This system will not only provide meaningful access to financial resources for the disabled but enhance members of the community with an economic benefit by creating a second source of income. This approach provides an overall benefit to the entire community.
Since Delia’s parents taught her that it’s not about her but about others, she uses her professional and volunteer experiences to solve community problems.
The Bottom Line
The revolution in the business world is brought by women entrepreneurs who are capable of surpassing even their male counterparts. These female disruptors are the living proof that the industry is evolving rapidly and they are here to rule by proving their potential. The journey may not be easy, but they are eager to show that everything is possible with their hard work and dedication.
