Everyone has a story to tell. If you are a woman running a business in the UK, your experience could be exactly what another woman needs to read before she takes her next step. When you share your business story with Prowess, you help other women founders see what is possible. Prowess has published women-in-business stories since 2001, and we are always looking for fresh voices. Whether you are a sole trader, a limited company director, or scaling a high-growth venture, we want to hear how you got here.
Sharing your business story is not just good for our readers. It is good for your profile, your website traffic, and your own clarity as a founder. Here is how to submit your story to Prowess in 2026.
Why you should share your business story now
UK women in business still need more visible role models. According to ONS labour market data from 2024, around 1.6 million women in the UK are self-employed, yet their stories remain underrepresented in mainstream business media. The 2019 Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship found that only 1 in 3 UK entrepreneurs is a woman, and that closing the entrepreneurship gap between women and men could add up to £250 billion to the UK economy. British Business Bank data from 2024 shows women-founded businesses still receive less than 2% of total UK equity investment, which makes visible success stories even more important. Initiatives such as the Women Backing Women Fund, a £130 million British Business Bank vehicle launched in 2023, show that the funding landscape is changing, but representation still matters.
Our own reader research shows the demand is there. Women thinking about starting or growing a business consistently tell us they want to read more experiences and case studies from real women in business. Inspirational superstars have their place, but everyday entrepreneurs often resonate more strongly. A founder who has navigated HMRC self-assessment, secured a Start Up Loan, or juggled childcare while launching a company can make the next woman think, “I can do that.”
From a business perspective, a published profile also drives referral traffic to your website, builds backlinks that support your SEO, and gives you content you can share on LinkedIn and other channels. You can read more about the UK landscape in our Women in Business: Key UK Facts page.
What kind of stories we publish
We profile women at every stage and in every sector. We are interested in retail, crafts, professional services, manufacturing, technology, agritech, healthcare, trades, and everything in between. We want to hear from:
- Start-ups and one-woman bands who have just taken the leap.
- Established business owners who are employing others and scaling up.
- Women returning to work or starting a business after 40 or 50.
- Founders who have bootstrapped, crowdfunded, raised investment, or used grants.
We value honesty. Share the high points and the toughest challenges. Readers learn as much from what went wrong as from what went right.
How to draft your article
Your story should be between 600 and 2,000 words. Please use plain English and write as you speak. If you find it easier, ask a friend or colleague to interview you using the questions below, record the conversation, and type it up afterwards.
If you would prefer professional help, Prowess offers a writing and ghostwriting service. We will interview you by email or telephone and write the article with your input and final approval. Contact us if you would like to discuss this option.
Interview questions for your profile
Pick and choose from the list below, or create your own.
- Tell us about the business. What is your product or service? What need does it meet? Who are your customers? Where are you based, how long have you been trading, and what is the size of your operation?
- About you. How would you describe yourself? What did you do before starting the business, and how has that experience helped? How does family life fit alongside the business? What do you do to relax?
- Why did you start the business?
- What are your values and what role do they play in the business?
- What have been the high points?
- What were the toughest challenges and how did you overcome them?
- Money. If you needed funding to start or grow, where did it come from and how was the process?
- Marketing. Tell us about a marketing tactic that works well. What are your main sales channels?
- Technology. How does technology fit into the business? Are you using AI, accounting software, or e-commerce tools?
- Where do you get support from?
- Who has inspired you and why?
- What are your future plans or goals?
- Three things you have learned?
- Your best piece of advice?
Editing and what we accept
All submissions are reviewed before publication. We may make minor tweaks for clarity, style, or length. Anything more substantial will be discussed with you by email and approved by you before we publish.
We do not accept overt commercial plugs. The story should be about your business journey first, with transferable lessons for other women. Your business is the natural context, so mention it where relevant, but keep the tone subtle. Your profile, photo, and links will be promoted within the article.
What to send us
Email the following to editor[at]prowess.org.uk:
- Your story, pasted into the email or attached as a Word or Google Doc.
- A photograph of yourself, ideally landscape orientation and at least 1200 pixels wide.
- Contact details you would like included at the end of the article, such as your website, LinkedIn profile, and social media handles.
If you are ready to share your business story, email us today and tell us when to expect your submission. A deadline is a powerful motivator.
Next steps to take now
- Read a few recent Prowess profiles to get a feel for the format.
- Draft your story using the questions above, aiming for 600 to 2,000 words.
- Choose a clear, landscape photograph of yourself.
- Send your story, photo, and contact details to editor[at]prowess.org.uk.
Your experience could be the story that makes another woman founder take action. Share your business story with Prowess today.
