Report: Idaho has 2nd most female-owned businesses

The number of businesses with female owners is increasing across the country but even more so here in the Gem State.

Idaho is ranked the number 2 state with the most amount of female-owned businesses.

The analytics team at Frontier Business ranked every state according to the percentage of businesses owned by females.

New Mexico is ranked number one, by only .9 percent higher than Idaho. Washington is ranked third followed by Wyoming and Oregon.

And keep in mind, Idaho is the only state in the country without a women’s business center, which is a networking organization overseen by the Small Business Administration.

Julie Richards is the owner of the boutique shop Love at First Bite in Idaho Falls. She started her business with her daughter eight years ago. With little experience working with her husband and no formal education in business studies, Richards runs a successful business contributing to the statistic that makes Idaho number 2.

“That’s exciting that Idaho had the highest number of women business owners,” said Richards. “That’s exciting and exciting to know that I’m a part that. It ‘s been a blessing in my life it’s kept me busy and occupied and also I feel like I’m contributing to the community.”

The eight states with the fewest women-owned businesses were New York, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania last.