I was at an awards event last week, surrounded by so many incredible women doing amazing things - running businesses, leading community projects, balancing about six jobs while somehow still showing up for everyone else. It was brilliant - really inspiring.

And it got me thinking, not just about how hard women work, but about how often that work goes unseen or unsupported - especially when it’s right their on our radar.

We all know so many brilliant women running their own businesses. Doing the graft, figuring it out, juggling kids and side hustles, and making it work (just about). And yet… when they share their work? Post about a new offer, launch a product, or try to get something off the ground?

Silence.

And I’m not pointing fingers - we’re all guilty of a mindless scroll now and then. But you can’t help notice that someone can post a video of their breakfast smoothie and a half-baked quote about “female empowerment,” and it gets shared 47 times and dumped into group chats like gospel. Meanwhile your friend is quietly building something real - and it barely gets a like.

This isn’t about keeping score. But it is about getting honest.

Because here’s the truth: women in business still face way more barriers than men.

And if we’re not clapping for each other, who is?

Let’s break it down:

Last year, less than 2% of all venture capital funding in the UK went to all-female founder teams. Meanwhile, all-male teams scooped up over 80%.

Female entrepreneurs are significantly less likely to secure business loans, and when they do, the amounts are usually smaller.

Around 1 in 3 women in business say they’ve felt dismissed or not taken seriously by investors or decision-makers.

And only 5% of women in business have access to a mentor - compared to 12% of men.

So yeah, the odds aren’t exactly stacked in our favour.

And yet… women still keep showing up. Starting businesses. Creating new spaces. Carving out work that actually reflects who they are and what they want. Often around everything else - kids, work, caring responsibilities, menopause symptoms that would floor most men, and a society that still expects them to “do it all.”

So when they finally do take the leap and share what they’ve created - support it.

And no, that doesn’t mean buying everything. We’re not saying empty your wallet.

But a comment? A share? Telling someone about their service? Showing up to an event?

It costs you nothing - but makes a real difference to someone who’s trying to do something that matters.

Because I’ll be honest - it can hurt when people you’ve known for years don’t back your work.

Especially when you’ve shared theirs. Supported them. Given them opportunities.

And you thought the connection was deeper than “what can I get out of you professionally?”

So if this resonates - maybe this week for Women In Enterprise Week, just pause.

Think of the women in your life who are out there doing it on their own and do something to help. Something visible. Something kind. Something that reminds them they’re not doing it all in a vacuum.

Because supporting women in business doesn’t start with fancy hashtags or polished slogans.

It starts with the people you already know.