Oft relegated to “mom and pop businesses,” women owned/led companies, and their ever-increasing significance, are frequently ignored. That’s why we started the 50 Fastest Competition five years ago to highlight the increasing social and economic influence of women in the business world. The competition, for members and non-members alike, ranks companies according to revenue growth from 2007 through 2011. The 50 fastest growing companies have the chance of being published online and in print.
Last year, there were roughly 8.1 million women-owned businesses in the US that contributed $1.3 trillion to the economy, employing 7.7 million people. The top 50 in last year’s list generated an incredible $4.1 billion in combined revenues with an average of $82.7 million and 24,650 employees. WPO and American Express OPEN are happy to invite both members and non-members alike who had at least $500,000 in annual revenues by year end 2006 and 2 million in 2011 to apply for this prestigious award.
