Women Entrepreneurs is a challenging yet rewarding journey, especially for women who are breaking barriers in male-dominated industries. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or already on your path to success, it’s essential to stay motivated and inspired. One great way to do this is through movies that showcase the resilience, determination, and creativity that entrepreneurship demands.
Here’s a list of Inspirational movies that are not only entertaining but also provide valuable lessons for women entrepreneurs:
1. Joy (2015)
Director: David O. Russell
Key Themes: Resilience, Innovation, Perseverance
In Joy, we witness the transformative journey of Joy Mangano, an inventor and single mother, who overcomes immense obstacles to build a multi-million dollar empire. The film shows her journey from a life of financial struggle to developing and marketing her revolutionary Miracle Mop. As entrepreneurs, women often face multiple personal and professional challenges simultaneously. Joy’s journey teaches us that even when faced with failure, rejection, and betrayal, passion and determination can help overcome the odds.
Entrepreneurial Lesson:
Sometimes the biggest innovations come from identifying everyday problems. Joy’s story teaches that your personal experience can be the foundation for world-changing ideas. Persistence is key—your path may be long, but staying committed to your vision, no matter how many times you get knocked down, is critical to women entrepreneurs’ success.
2. The Intern (2015)
Director: Nancy Meyers
Key Themes: Leadership, Mentorship, Work-Life Balance
Detailed Inspiration:
In The Intern, Jules Ostin is a highly successful women entrepreneurs who founded a fast-growing e-commerce company. However, as her business expands, so do the challenges of managing her career, personal life, and relationships. Jules exemplifies the modern-day businesswoman: juggling multiple roles, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and often doing so with little support. The arrival of a 70-year-old intern in her company brings perspective and wisdom, helping Jules re-evaluate her work-life balance.
Entrepreneurial Lesson:
Entrepreneurship is not a one-woman show. Learning to trust and delegate can lead to more sustainable success. This movie also highlights the importance of mentorship, demonstrating how a different perspective can help leaders grow both personally and professionally. Even seasoned entrepreneurs can benefit from the guidance and experiences of others, regardless of age.
3. Erin Brockovich (2000)
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Key Themes: Determination, Justice, Passion
Detailed Inspiration:
Erin Brockovich tells the real-life story of a legal assistant who, without formal legal education, took on one of the biggest corporate environmental cases in history. Erin’s unrelenting determination, sharp instincts, and refusal to back down led to a groundbreaking victory for the people of a small town suffering from contaminated water. Her story teaches that success in business doesn’t always come from a polished résumé but from passion, intuition, and sheer grit.
Entrepreneurial Lesson:
In business, especially for women, it’s important to trust your instincts, stand up for what you believe in, and not be intimidated by larger, more established players. Erin’s ability to see opportunities where others only saw obstacles is an essential entrepreneurial trait.
4. Hidden Figures (2016)
Director: Theodore Melfi
Key Themes: Overcoming Barriers, Excellence, Collaboration
Detailed Inspiration:
This movie follows the stories of three African American women—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—who played crucial roles at NASA during the space race, despite facing severe racial and gender discrimination. Their brilliance, resilience, and refusal to accept limitations placed on them by society are awe-inspiring. For female entrepreneurs, their journey represents the importance of breaking barriers, pursuing excellence, and fostering collaboration.
Entrepreneurial Lesson:
In entrepreneurship, you will often face situations where you have to prove your worth and capabilities, especially in industries dominated by men. This film teaches that persistence and excellence are key to breaking through those barriers and that, as a leader, it’s important to foster inclusivity and build a supportive network around you.
5. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Director: David Frankel
Key Themes: Ambition, Self-Respect, Work-Life Balance
Detailed Inspiration:
The Devil Wears Prada portrays the high-stakes fashion world through the eyes of Andrea Sachs, an assistant to the demanding editor Miranda Priestly. While the movie highlights the challenges of working under extreme pressure, it also provides a powerful lesson about the importance of maintaining one’s identity and values in the face of ambition.
Entrepreneurial Lesson:
Success shouldn’t come at the cost of self-respect or personal happiness. In business, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important when chasing success, but as this film demonstrates, staying grounded in your values is essential for long-term fulfillment. As an entrepreneur, you must learn to set boundaries and find a balance between work and life.
6. She Did That (2019)
Director: Renae Bluitt
Key Themes: Empowerment, Community, Diversity
Detailed Inspiration:
This documentary sheds light on the lives of black women entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses despite significant challenges. Featuring women like Lisa Price (founder of Carol’s Daughter) and Tonya Rapley (founder of My Fab Finance), She Did That showcases the unique experiences, struggles, and triumphs of women of color in the entrepreneurial space.
Entrepreneurial Lesson:
Entrepreneurship for minority women comes with its own set of challenges, but it also comes with immense opportunities for creating community-driven, authentic businesses. The film highlights the importance of mentorship, networking, and staying true to your roots. Authenticity and community support are powerful assets in any business.
7. Molly’s Game (2017)
Director: Aaron Sorkin
Key Themes: Risk-taking, Adaptability, Integrity
Detailed Inspiration:
Molly’s Game is based on the real-life story of Molly Bloom, who ran one of the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker games. Molly’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to create a thriving business, but her willingness to take risks eventually brought legal trouble. Her ability to adapt, her business acumen, and her eventual stand for integrity demonstrate the highs and lows of being a businesswoman in a male-dominated space.
Entrepreneurial Lesson:
Risk-taking is essential in business, but knowing when to pivot and how to protect yourself legally is just as important. Molly’s story also highlights the importance of maintaining ethical standards, even when it seems easier to compromise them for short-term gains.
8. The Social Network (2010)
Director: David Fincher
Key Themes: Vision, Strategy, Relationships
Detailed Inspiration:
Although The Social Network focuses on Mark Zuckerberg, it offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs, especially about vision, strategy, and partnership dynamics. The creation of Facebook was fueled by innovation, but the film also delves into the complicated interpersonal relationships and ethical questions that arise when building a massive company from scratch.
Entrepreneurial Lesson:
As an entrepreneur, having a clear vision and the right strategy is crucial. However, just as important is protecting your intellectual property and nurturing the relationships that will support your success. The movie serves as a reminder that while innovation is important, business ethics and partnerships must be managed carefully.
9. Working Girl (1988)
Director: Mike Nichols
Key Themes: Innovation, Confidence, Persistence
Detailed Inspiration:
Working Girl is a classic story of a woman trying to climb the corporate ladder in the 1980s. Tess McGill, a secretary, takes control of her own destiny when she realizes her ideas are being stolen. She seizes an opportunity to present her innovative business idea to the right people, proving that ambition and creativity can lead to great success.
Entrepreneurial Lesson:
This movie highlights the importance of believing in your ideas and not letting others take credit for your hard work. For female entrepreneurs, the film serves as a powerful reminder to take control of your narrative, be assertive, and seize opportunities when they come.
10. Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (2020)
Director: Kasi Lemmons
Key Themes: Empowerment, Innovation, Breaking Barriers
Detailed Inspiration:
This inspiring series tells the story of Madam C.J. Walker, the first African American woman to become a self-made millionaire. Born to former slaves, Walker created a beauty empire through sheer determination, innovation, and savvy business skills. Despite the prejudice she faced, Walker’s ambition never wavered, and she built a lasting legacy.
Entrepreneurial Lesson:
Walker’s story teaches that no matter your background or circumstances, innovation and hard work can help you create the life and business you dream of. She also exemplifies the importance of giving back to the community, proving that success is about more than just personal wealth—it’s about uplifting others.
Final Thoughts
For women entrepreneurs, inspiration often comes from stories of persistence, ambition, and innovation. These movies not only entertain but also offer valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, and business acumen. Watching these films can reignite your entrepreneurial spirit and remind you that success is possible, no matter the challenges you face.
So grab some popcorn, sit back, and let these incredible stories fuel your entrepreneurial journey!
