Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Why Digital Confidence Matters
When conversations about digital transformation arise, the focus is often on technology—Google Sheets, Instagram, or automation tools. Yet for many women-led startups, the real barrier is not access to digital tools but confidence in using them consistently. Nearly one-third (33 %) of women entrepreneurs report they do not feel they have enough digital technology skills to meet their business needs. This lack of digital confidence often stems from fear of mistakes, wasting time, or feeling insufficiently “tech-savvy,” even when the founder is creative and committed.
The consequences of hesitation are tangible. Digital tools only deliver value when business owners feel at ease using them. Without confidence, spreadsheets go unused, social media becomes inactive, and systems revert to manual practices—costing time, visibility, and opportunities for growth. From global survey data, about 21 % of women entrepreneurs state they feel underprepared or completely unprepared for using technology and digital tools. Confidence is what turns tools into ongoing assets rather than one-off experiments.
GrowHer’s approach centers precisely on that shift in mindset. We do not merely set up digital tools and leave. We guide women step-by-step: how to schedule Instagram content, how to interpret sales data in Google Sheets, how to automate repetitive tasks so that systems become second nature. This hands-on method helps entrepreneurs build capability and confidence, creating a foundation they can lean on independently.
The barriers go beyond internal worries. Structural issues—related to access, cost, and safety—amplify the effects of low confidence. In low- and middle-income countries, for example, while 92 % of women entrepreneurs own a smartphone, nearly 45 % still lack regular internet access due to high costs or unreliable connectivity. Lack of internet access makes it much harder to gain confidence, as it limits opportunities to practice, experiment, and learn in digital spaces. Moreover, 57 % of women entrepreneurs surveyed have experienced some form of online harassment. These unsafe or uncomfortable experiences discourage visibility and experimentation online, compounding the confidence gap.
When a woman entrepreneur gains digital confidence, the ripple effects can be profound. Not only does her business grow—through better consistency, efficiency, and outreach—but she often becomes a model for others in her community. Her story of using digital tools with competence can shift expectations, inspire peers, and stretch what others believe is possible.
Digital transformation isn’t just about adopting tools; it’s about cultivating a mindset of possibility. Confidence is the foundation that turns small changes into lasting impact. By empowering women with both the tools and the confidence to use them, we help ensure that their businesses don’t merely survive in the digital age—they lead. Because when women entrepreneurs feel confident, they do more than adapt to the future—they help shape it.
