Sewn with Purpose: The Economic Impact of Women Who Lead
Let’s start this blog out by saying that we are PROUD to be a women-owned business. Being a woman-owned business owner comes with a strong sense of pride for several reasons, including the endless opportunities to create more equitable and inclusive workplaces, the ability to pursue your own personal passions as a career, the undeniable economic impact women-owned businesses have recently acquired, and the countless instances that inspire future generations of women entrepreneurs to dream big. Additionally, women-owned businesses are often recognized nowadays for their strong leadership skills, their innovative approaches, and the positive impact they have on their communities. We could list out so many more aspects to women leadership but that should paint a broad picture of how influential our female leader has always been.
For Lisa Riggs, Spirit Sox’s Founder and CEO, owning a business isn’t just a simple, basic job – it’s a heartfelt calling rooted in passion, pride, perseverance, and purpose. Spirit Sox was born from her desire to make a difference in her local neighborhood, and every step of her business’s growth journey has been fueled by the kind of grit and motivation only an entrepreneurial personality knows. Lisa wears the title “woman-owned” like an honest badge of honor because it represents not only her own business success, but the triumphs of every single woman before and after her who dares to chase a dream and build something of her own with their own two hands and intellectual ideas. She has always been inspired by the strength, creativity, and drive she has witnessed from fellow women business owners, whether they’re running a one-woman shop or leading a large, corporate team. The female pride is personal, the motivation is daily, and the honor is a lifelong dream come true.
Since this topic has been a recent thought of ours, we thought it would be productive and helpful to outline why every female out there should be proud to be a business owner. Even through those tough, long days, you should reflect on the reason why you started in the first place and always have that pride shining brightly. Here’s a more detailed look at why we are proud to be a woman-owned business:
1. Fostering Equality and Inclusion
Challenging the Status Quo
At Spirit Sox, we’re constantly shaking up norms, breaking the rules, and paving our own pathways, and not only in the custom sock design world. We’re always leveraging new, innovative ways to build and lead our team in a way to share the growth and foster everyone’s careers, not just the CEO’s. From day one, Lisa has prioritized equity, mentoring women, and inviting diverse voices into every business decision she’s made.
Creating a Supportive Environment
We don’t just talk teamwork: we live it. Our remote workplace is collaborative, encouraging, supportive, and always mood-lifting because that’s the best way to get the work done. It’s the kind of atmosphere where creativity thrives and confidence grows, and that’s something that’s always proven time and time again to be productive.
Promoting Diversity
We believe in championing inclusive partnerships, team members, and brand representation. From choosing women-owned vendors, to highlighting LGBTQ+ supportive campaigns, to fundraising for interracial couples, we believe in diversity. The ripple effect from our choices does matter, and it always starts right here with you. Treat everyone as an equal and you will be surprised at how many more doors will open for your company.
2. Pursuing Passion and Purpose
Turning Dreams into Reality
Pursuing a dream is precisely why Lisa founded Spirit Sox – she wanted to build something meaningful, creative, and beneficial to the masses. Designing custom socks with spirit for special causes, promotional events, and other brands she believes in was/is a dream come true.
Achieving Work-Life Balance
Creating healthy boundaries when working for yourself is something that takes time to figure out. Through years of experience, owning her own business has provided Lisa with the flexibility to lead on her own terms, which is a value that trickles down to her employees, enabling every team member to do the same.
Making a Positive Impact
It’s no secret, we’re about so much more than just sock sales. Whether through fundraising partnerships, community activations, or event affiliations, Spirit Sox is using the business as a force for good to help those around us. And truthfully, it’s because that’s just who we are.
3. Inspiring the Next Generation
Serving as Role Models
Every pair of Spirit Sox socks we create carries a message: we are women-led, we are women-created, we are women-impacted. There’s a sense of pride sewn into each of our high-end custom socks and it speaks volumes.
Creating Opportunities
By being a small women-owned company, we open so many doors for so many different people. We’re able to open doors for female teammates, vendors, partners, retailers, and entrepreneurs, helping build a confident, strong pipeline of talent and leadership.
Shaping a More Inclusive Future
We dream of a sophisticated business world where women-run companies can thrive without the negativity, limitations, and inequality. We will forever stand strong in doing our part to model that type of work environment today to strive toward a picture-perfect world.
4. Economic and Social Impact
By the Numbers
According to www.nwbc.gov, the 2024 U.S. Census report showed, “Women-owned businesses are a driving force in the U.S. economy, accounting for 39.2 percent of all enterprises and employing 12.9 million workers. While men-owned businesses still hold a larger share (54.9 percent), women-owned businesses are making significant strides, contributing a remarkable $3.3 trillion in annual revenue. These numbers highlight women entrepreneurs’ growing influence and increasingly pivotal role in shaping the American business landscape.” (We’ll just leave this quote here as one of our points.)
Absolute Pride
The simple fact that women have come such a long way in the workforce makes us extremely proud to be who we are and do what we do. Spirit Sox is here to be women, support women, grow women, and raise women’s ceilings.
Unconditional Impact
Unfortunately, we have to even mention that we are “women-owned” because it shouldn’t matter what gender, race, or life choice a business owner has. But since society has thrown that unwritten rule at us, we’ll take it in stride and stand tall with that label. But don’t you ever forget that we women are pushing for an impact that’s boundless, without strings, and unconditional, regardless of what labels you force upon us.
5. Leadership and Innovation
Pushing Boundaries
Women-owned businesses have always been known for their resilience, empathy, and innovative ideas, regardless of their industry. It’s beautiful to know that our gender is pushing boundaries while improving everyone’s futures around us.
Thinking Outside the Box
In order to change the world you have to do what’s never been done before. That’s where women thrive. If you need to take a business to the next level, create something no one has ever tried before, or change the rules for any type of project, hire a woman to help. We’ll read between the lines and curate a solution that will create an impact that’s never been previously measured.
Leading with Love
Empathy is one of the largest characteristics women hold stronger than men. When you have a female boss or female business owner, she’ll see emotions and the effects of emotions very differently than her male counterpart. No dig to males, but just a significant point we are proud to show off to the world because it’s been proven time and time again to improve any work environment.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, Lisa knows that being a woman-owned business is about so much more than just the label of ownership. It’s about honest leadership, legacy, and lifting others as you climb instead of stepping on your competition. She’s proud to stand alongside a growing community of business women who are literally rewriting the rules, showing up with passion, and proving that there’s room at the table for everyone. Every sock that leaves the Spirit Sox design room carries much more than fun custom colors and logos – it carries the spirit of a woman who dared to dream big and the belief that others can, too. We’re pushing for more in the business world. We’re a small women-owned business with big ambitions. We want to close the gaps, shape opportunity, share success, and create impact, one custom sock at a time. And that’s something absolutely worth celebrating, not just this month, but every day. We can and WE WILL!
We love to tell new clients that we’re not just a sock brand, we’re a vision. We believe that women-owned businesses like ours can lead anywhere with purpose, build community, and inspire progress. So, when you choose Spirit Sox, you’re supporting more than a great pair of custom socks, you’re stepping into the future of women’s entrepreneurship. So thank you for your unconditional love!