Meet the trailblazing women behind Fempreneurs

We invited Fempreneurs to shine a spotlight on its members, sharing their respective journeys, challenges, and successes in building their business through the platform. These features go beyond products and services, offering a glimpse into the real stories of resilience, innovation, and determination that define the Fempreneurs network

By showcasing these stories, Fempreneurs is further helping its members gain the visibility and recognition they deserve—amplifying their voices, celebrating their achievements, and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.

Fempreneurs was founded by four passionate women—Meg Enerson, Mandy Bircher, Lauren Lister, and Julia Clark—who shared a vision to uplift and empower female entrepreneurs across South Africa.

Meg Enerson, a seasoned marketing and tech professional, noticed a recurring struggle among many South African entrepreneurs trying to achieve market access for their businesses. “Everywhere around me, there were ladies up against multiple barriers when trying to scale their businesses,” Meg recalls. “The time, cost, and complexity of e-commerce websites, social media marketing and mentoring make this virtually impossible for many.”

Together with her co-founders, Meg set out to create a solution—a safe, supportive, and affordable community where women can easily list their businesses or set up a full online store without needing technical expertise or deep pockets. Thus, Fempreneurs was born: a multi-vendor e-commerce marketplace and a thriving community. “Our goal wasn’t just to build a platform,” Meg explains. “We wanted to create a movement that breaks down the barriers women face—lack of tech skills, limited access to mentoring, and the ongoing challenge of being taken seriously as female founders.”

As a side hustle driven by purpose, the FemFounders invested their time and energy into building this vision and overcoming many setbacks. “There were moments I almost gave up,” Meg admits. “But we believed so deeply in our mission that we practised resilience—every time.” Today, Fempreneurs is helping narrow the gender gap in small business ownership by offering tools, training, and support in a collaborative ecosystem.

Meg’s advice to other women: “If you believe in your business, be resilient. And never underestimate the power of your community. My FemCommunity carried me through the toughest times.”

Fempreneurs are not just helping women become financially independent—they’re building a movement.