At the beginning of this year, we launched a new feature sharing the tales of independent women business owners who are reaping the rewards of entrepreneurial success — with each one revealing the kinds of freedoms and favors that can come with financial and professional independence. We called our project The Independent Life, and, every Friday, we have shared another story of a personal triumph in a female entrepreneur’s life.

The stories have been as diverse as the women themselves. There was the photographer who was able to create her own studio space, the interior designer who got rid of her debt, the plaque maker who has used her platform to destigmatize Muslim women, and the candy maker who moved to the United States and created jobs. These are just a few examples of the many female founders spotlighted in this project.

In 2018, we will continue to share the fruits of women entrepreneurs’ success — and we want to include you! What has economic independence, achieved through entrepreneurship, made possible for you? Email us at [email protected], and we might feature you in The Independent Life!

(Background photo by Raw Pixel, Stocksnap.)