Starting a business can be a daunting task, especially for women. In the past, having a college degree was a prerequisite for professional success, but times are changing. The landscape of entrepreneurship is shifting, and female founders are proving that formal education is not always necessary to achieve greatness.
In this article, we’ll take a look at five successful female founders who have made a name for themselves without a college degree.
Oprah Winfrey
First up is Oprah Winfrey – one of the most influential women in the world. She’s a media mogul, philanthropist, and businesswoman who didn’t complete college but has built a successful career through her work as a television host and actress.
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.” – Oprah Winfrey
Sara Blakely
Next on our list is Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, a company that sells shape-wear for women. She started her business with $5,000 (around R80,000) of her own savings and has since turned it into a multi-billion-dollar company. Blakely never finished college and credits her success to her determination and willingness to take risks.
“My dad encouraged us to fail. Growing up, he would ask us what we failed at that week. If we didn’t have something, he would be disappointed. It changed my mindset at an early age that failure is not the outcome, failure is not trying. Don’t be afraid to fail.” – Sara Blakely
Jessica Alba
Third on our list is Jessica Alba, founder of The Honest Company, a company that is renowned for its eco-friendly and non-toxic household and personal care products. Alba dropped out of college to pursue her acting career but later started her business after becoming a mother and wanting to create safe products for her children.
“I wish I was more educated, but I make do with the tools I was given in life.” – Jessica Alba
Sophia Amoruso
Sophia Amoruso is the founder of Nasty Gal, a clothing company that started as an eBay store and later turned into a multi-million-dollar business. Amoruso never went to college but taught herself how to run a successful business through trial and error.
“Sometimes in the world, there’s such pressure to follow a certain path that we forget the importance of learning as we go.” – Sophia Amoruso
Coco Chanel
Last but not least is Coco Chanel, the founder of the iconic fashion brand Chanel. She started her business after working as a seamstress and had no formal education in fashion design. To this day, Chanel’s legacy continues to inspire women in fashion.
“It’s not the appearance, it’s the essence. It’s not the money, it’s the education. It’s not the clothes, it’s the class.” – Coco Chanel
The role of Education in 2023
It’s clear from these examples that formal education is not a requirement for success as a female founder. However, honing valuable skills and knowledge that can help with running a business can make all the difference.
For female founders in South Africa, the financial implications of starting a business can be significant, let alone paying for a college degree. Luckily, with the rise of online learning platforms, it’s easier than ever to access affordable (and free) education and training that can help women overcome these barriers.
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