The month of October is National Women's Small Business Month, celebrating the progress that we've made, and the progress that we continue to make.  It's hard to believe that women were not granted the right to vote until 1920. What's even harder to believe is that, just 26 years ago, women could not apply for a business loan without having a signature from a male relative. As a small woman-owned and operated business, Leading Retirement Solutions is proud of our accomplishments and of the accomplishments made by other small, women-run businesses. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), "women-owned small businesses have grown by 20 percent in five years and a quarter of small businesses are now owned or led by women." (SBA.gov.)

A 2013 American Express study conducted a "State of Women-Owned Businesses Report," which showed that last year, women owned a total of 8.6 million businesses in the U.S. (Accounting for 7.8 million employees and $1.3 trillion in revenue.) These are growing numbers serving as a testament to the progress made when women have access to capital, financial education, and the right tools for a business. LRS President Kirsten Curry believes that October's dedication to women-run small businesses is a step in the right direction. "I think it's inspiring to have this acknowledgement in place. It honors the past growth of successful, smart women and encourages the leaders of the future to lean in," she says. "It's important for women to have an impactful voice in the workplace."