It is 1988, and you're walking into the bank again. You have the business plan. You have the numbers. You have the experience. But you still can't get a business loan without a man's signature. In this episode, Ashley explores one of the most overlooked moments in women's economic history and how access to capital continues to shape who gets to build, scale, and succeed.

From the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to today's venture capital landscape, Ashley traces the long fight for financial access and asks why women remain dramatically underfunded despite consistently delivering stronger returns on investment. More importantly, she explores why the future may not depend on waiting for institutions to change, but on how women choose to direct the economic power they already control.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why women couldn't get business loans without a male co-signer until 1988

• The surprising story that helped change the law

• How access to capital affects business growth and opportunity

• Why women-led companies continue to receive a fraction of venture funding

• How women can use their existing economic power to create change

Sources:

• For a complete list of sources, please visit thefemaleeconomy.co

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