The Female Economy

It is 1988, and you're walking into the bank again. You have the business plan. You have the numbers. You have the experience. But you still can't get a business loan without a man's signature. In this episode, Ashley explores one of the most overlooked moments in women's economic history and how access to capital continues to shape who gets to build, scale, and succeed.From the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to today's venture capital landscape, Ashley traces the long fight for financial access and asks why women remain dramatically underfunded despite consistently delivering stronger returns on investment. More importantly, she explores why the future may not depend on waiting for institutions to change, but on how women choose to direct the economic power they already control.In this episode, you'll hear:• Why women couldn't get business loans without a male co-signer until 1988• The surprising story that helped change the law• How access to capital affects business growth and opportunity• Why women-led companies continue to receive a fraction of venture funding• How women can use their existing economic power to create changeSources:• For a complete list of sources, please visit thefemaleeconomy.coFemale Founder Spotlight:Bridgitte Mallinson - https://www.gutpersonal.comGutPersonal helps you feel better by supporting better digestion, energy, and overall wellnessUncover what your body actually needs Connect with Ashley:• Newsletter: thefemaleeconomy.co• Instagram: @ashleybraswellxo• After Organic: afterorganic.com• Ads By Lumi: adsbylumi.com

Nearly 90% of women-owned businesses generate less than $100,000 per year. The easy explanation is that women face more barriers to growth. And while those barriers are very real, this episode asks a more challenging question: how much of staying small is a genuine choice, and how much is the result of a system that never expected women to build empires in the first place?Ashley examines the data behind women's entrepreneurship, side hustles, and business growth, challenging some of the most common assumptions about female ambition. From funding gaps and caregiving responsibilities to lifestyle businesses and growth goals, this episode explores what happens when women are given the opportunity, support, and permission to think bigger.In this episode, you'll hear:• Why most women-owned businesses stay under six figures• What the data really says about women and side hustles• The difference between choosing a lifestyle business and settling for limitations• How funding, childcare, and opportunity affect growth• Whether women truly want the empire and what happens if they doSources:• For a list of complete sources, please visit thefemaleeconomy.coFemale Founder Spotlight:Chelle Neff - https://urbanbetty.com Urban Betty Salon and Spa in Austin, TexasHaircare and skincare services everyone will love! Connect with Ashley:• Newsletter: thefemaleeconomy.co• Instagram: @ashleybraswellxo• After Organic: afterorganic.com• Ads By Lumi: adsbylumi.com

In 1974, a woman could have a job, a salary, and a perfect payment history and still be denied a credit card in her own name. That's not ancient history. That's within the lifetime of millions of women living today. In this debut episode of The Female Economy, host Ashley Braswell (founder of LUMI and After Organic) explores the financial history most of us were never taught and why understanding it changes how we think about money, power, business, and opportunity.Women now drive more than 80% of consumer spending, yet women-founded companies receive just a fraction of available investment capital. So how did we get here? And what happens when women start intentionally directing the economic power they already have? Ashley introduces the mission behind The Female Economy: tell the truth about women and money, amplify women's voices, and put more money into women's hands.In this episode, you’ll hear:• Why women couldn't get a credit card in their own name until 1974• The surprising economic power women hold today• The massive gap between women's spending power and investment funding• How historical financial barriers still shape modern opportunities• The mission behind The Female Economy and why it matters nowSources:• For a full list of sources, please visit thefemaleeconomy.coFemale Founder Spotlight:Emma Heming Willis and Helen Christoni - https://maketimewellness.com/Daily brain and energy support, built for womenClinically backed formulas guided by Dr. Nicole Beurkens Connect with Ashley:• Newsletter: thefemaleeconomy.co• Instagram: @ashleybraswellxo• After Organic: afterorganic.com• Ads By Lumi: adsbylumi.com