Women in Hospitality & Entrepreneurship: Why We Need More Female Founders
- Bharti
- Feb 28
- 5 min read
When I started BloomsYard, I didn’t set out to make a statement. I just wanted to create a space where people could slow down, connect and enjoy great coffee and wine in good company (our team are the friendliest you’ll meet!). But as I’ve grown this business, I’ve come to realise that being a female founder in hospitality - and a British-Asian woman in business - comes with a responsibility.
A responsibility to show up. A responsibility to make space for others. And a responsibility to champion diversity in an industry that still has a long way to go.
This is why I’m so proud to be hosting an International Women’s Day event at BloomsYard Liverpool Street, in partnership with Female Founders Rise. It’s our third year in a row celebrating incredible female entrepreneurs and this time, 180 tickets sold out in just a few hours!
That tells me one thing:
Women are hungry for community, for support and for a place to share their stories.
So, as we approach International Women’s Day, I want to talk about why female-founded businesses in hospitality (and beyond) matter, the challenges we still face, and how we can all do more to support each other.
From Finance to Founding BloomsYard: My Story
I never imagined I’d end up in hospitality. My background is in finance, and I spent years working in industries like music and restaurants, including a role at Jamie Oliver’s business. I learned a lot - how to scale a brand, what makes a great customer experience and most importantly, how much I loved the human side of business.
But it wasn’t until 2020, during the pandemic, that I decided to take the leap and start something of my own. It was a time of uncertainty for so many of us, but it also gave me space to think about what I really wanted to create. That’s how BloomsYard was born - first as an online platform selling specialty teas, coffees & wines, and then as a physical space where people could gather, take a breather and feel at home.
Fast forward to today, and we have six locations across London. It’s been an incredible journey, but I’ll be honest: being a woman in hospitality comes with its challenges.
From securing new venues investment to being taken seriously in a male-dominated industry, I’ve seen first-hand how much harder women - and especially women of colour - have to work to get a seat at the table. But if there’s one thing I know, it’s this:
We don’t wait for a seat. We build our own table.
Why We Need More Women in Hospitality & Entrepreneurship
The hospitality industry relies on women. We make up more than half of the workforce, but when you look at leadership, the numbers don’t add up.
📉 Women hold just 26% of executive-level positions in hospitality.
📉 The gender pay gap in hospitality is one of the highest across industries.
📉 Less than 2% of venture capital funding goes to female-led businesses.
And if you’re a woman of colour? Sadly, those numbers are even lower.
This is why representation matters. When women see other women leading, hiring and thriving, it sends a clear message: you belong here too.
Female Founders Rise: Because Women Deserve Better Support
I’m incredibly proud to be partnering with Female Founders Rise for our upcoming International Women’s Day event. Founded by Emmie Faust, this community exists to support female entrepreneurs - because let’s face it, the business world wasn’t exactly designed with us in mind.
Did you know that?
💡 Less than 1% of UK startup investment goes to Black female founders
💡 Many female founders struggle to access networks, funding, and mentorship
💡 Women-run businesses are often undervalued, despite being more profitable in the long run
Female Founders Rise is working to change this by offering:
✔ Access to funding opportunities
✔ Mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs
✔ Workshops on scaling, investing and startup success
I truly believe that when women support women, we all rise. If you’re a female founder (or thinking of becoming one), check them out here: Female Founders Rise.
How We Can ALL Support Women in Business
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an aspiring founder, or simply someone who believes in supporting women, here are some easy ways to make a difference:
💡 Support Women-Owned Businesses – Your coffee, your wine, your dinner - choose places run by women whenever you can.
💡 Be a Mentor (or Find One!) – The best thing I ever did was surround myself with people who had been where I wanted to go. If you can, share your experience with someone just starting out.
💡 Invest in Women-Led Businesses – If you have the means, look into investment networks that prioritise female founders.
A few great ones:
Angel Academe – A UK-based network investing in women-led businesses.
Ada Ventures – Funding diverse founders, including women and underrepresented entrepreneurs.
💡 Join a Community – If you’re on this path, don’t do it alone. Find like-minded women who get it.
Here are a few brilliant ones:
Be Inclusive Hospitality – A game-changing initiative dedicated to advancing racial equity in the hospitality industry. (I'm proud to be on the Advisory Board!)
Enterprise Nation – Support for small business owners.
The Female Lead – Inspirational content and resources for women in business.
Final Thoughts
I never set out to be a “female entrepreneur.” I just wanted to build something I loved. But over the years, I’ve realised that our stories matter — and sharing them can inspire other women to take the leap.
We still have a long way to go when it comes to gender equality in business. But I’m hopeful. Because when I look around at events like the one we’re about to host at BloomsYard, I see a room full of powerful, talented, ambitious women who are changing the game.
If that’s you: keep going! The world needs what you’re building.
And if you’re in London, I hope to see you soon at one of our venues, or if you have tickets, I look forward to seeing you at our sold-out Female Founders Rise event.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s support, uplift and celebrate each other. Because when women rise, everyone wins.
With gratitude,
B x
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