The Grumpy Whale is owned and operated by a woman. In this blog, we celebrate women entrepreneurs in Iceland and showcase remarkable businesses.
In Iceland, women have made great progress in achieving gender equality and empowerment. They have been instrumental in shaping the economy through their thriving businesses and entrepreneurial spirit.
A Legacy of Equality
Iceland is known for its strong commitment to gender equality. It has been ranked as the world’s most gender-equal country by the World Economic Forum for 12 years in a row. This has created a supportive environment for women to succeed in business.
Women-Owned Businesses: A Growing Force
In Iceland, women entrepreneurs are achieving success and making a positive impact in different industries. Here are some inspiring examples of women-owned businesses that are making a difference in their communities.
2. Farmers Market: Designer Bergthora Gudnadottir’s brand, Farmers Market, showcases Icelandic design, emphasizing sustainable materials and traditional knitting techniques. Her clothing line is an embodiment of Iceland’s cultural heritage and modern fashion.
3. Bruggsmidjan Kaldi: Bruggsmidjan Kaldi was founded by a lovely couple, Agnes and Ólafur, in 2006 when there were few microbreweries in Iceland. Ólafur was a fisherman for 26 years but unfortunately suffered a knee injury at sea in 2003. It was a tough time for the couple. There were few job opportunities in the small town of Árskógssandur—except fishing. At that time, everything revolved around the fishing industry. If you’re wondering where Árskógssandur is, it is about 35 km from Akureyri and 12 km from Dalvík in a rural area of North Iceland.
In June 2005, Agnes happened to catch an interview on TV about microbreweries and how they were gaining popularity worldwide. She was particularly interested in a small microbrewery located in Denmark. At the time, there were no microbreweries in Iceland, just two mass-production breweries, Vífilfell and Ölgerðin. Agnes remembered how lucky they were to have access to such good and clean water in their little town, which comes from a spring in the mountains above Árskógssandur. And then, she had a crazy idea: open a microbrewery. Fast forward to September 30th, 2006, and Kaldi officially opened its doors to the public. Today, Kaldi is still brewing in Árskógssandur. They brew various styles and seasonal beers that are available across Iceland. More importantly, Agnes helped launch Iceland’s burgeoning micro-brewing scene.
Challenges and Triumphs
In Iceland, women-owned businesses have achieved great success. However, women entrepreneurs still face challenges, such as getting funding and dealing with gender biases. But thanks to the supportive community and government initiatives promoting gender equality, these barriers are being broken down. The Women’s Business Association (FKA) is playing a crucial role in promoting women in business through networking and initiatives.
A Bright Future
The number of women-owned businesses in Iceland is increasing. This shows that women are becoming more empowered and equal in society. These businesses are not only helping the economy but also inspiring other women to start their own businesses.
In women-owned businesses are playing a crucial role in shaping the country’s future. Their ideas, ambition, and dedication to equality are driving both business success and societal progress on this beautiful island.
