How to 10x Your Retirement as a Woman Entrepreneur

When I met Sarah, she was running a thriving business—but she didn’t have a single retirement account. 

“I know I should be investing,” she told me, “but I figured I’d wait until things felt more stable.”

Sound familiar? 

Many women I coach are building momentum in their businesses— growing their income, serving more clients, and feeling proud of what they’ve built. Yet when it comes to investing, they often stay on the sidelines.

Here’s the myth:

‍You have to wait until your business is bigger or more consistent to start investing.

Here’s the truth:

‍Even small, steady contributions now—like $50 or $100 a month—can lay the foundation for lasting financial freedom.

Your retirement account doesn’t have to come after your business success. In fact, it can grow right alongside it—tax efficiently and powerfully.

This article is your roadmap:
- 10x your contributions
- Unlock tax-saving strategies
- Tap into one of the most underutilized supertools for solopreneurs: the Solo 401(k)

When women entrepreneurs learn to use tools like the Solo 401(k), they unlock the power to build financial freedom on their own terms.

The Power of Starting Now: $5K vs. $20K Each Year

Let’s talk about what happens when you invest consistently—because this is where long-term wealth is really built.

Imagine you invest $5,000 per year for 10 years. That’s about $415/month.

With a 10% annual return, your money would grow to approximately $80,000.

Now let’s look at what happens when you open a Solo 401(k) and contribute $20,000 per year for 10 years.

Same return. Same time frame. Just a bigger decision up front.

That would grow to approximately $320,000.

That’s a difference of nearly a quarter of a million dollars—and it comes with major tax savings along the way.

KEY POINT: This is the secret: retirement accounts like the Solo 401(k) allow you to contribute much more than the standard $7K IRA limit.

You don’t need to be a millionaire to become one. You just need a plan—and some time on your side. Here are the details. 

Step 1: Your Business Structure Matters

Before you pick a retirement account, you need to consider how your business is structured. It affects how much you can contribute and how much you can deduct.

Sole Proprietor or LLC – Contributions (to a Solo 401(k) or SEP IRA) are based on your net earnings. This means you may be limited in how much you can contribute before turning a profit, especially in early years.

S-Corp (or LLC taxed as S-Corp) – Lets you pay yourself a W-2 salary, which becomes the basis for contributions. Both employee deferrals and employer contributions (up to 25%) are calculated from that salary. This structure can help reduce self-employment taxes and gives you more control over how much you contribute.

Why this matters:

‍Let’s say you’re an S-Corp owner paying yourself a $100K salary. You could potentially contribute a much higher amount to retirement:

• Up to $23,000 as an employee (or $30,500 if over 50)
• Plus 25% of your salary as the employer
• That’s a total of $48,000+ in tax-advantaged retirement savings

Understanding your business structure not only affects your taxes—it directly influences how fast you can build long-term wealth.

Step 2: Your Retirement Account Options

Now let’s break down the three retirement tools every woman entrepreneur should consider—because choosing the right one can change everything.

1. Roth or Traditional IRA

• Max Contribution (2025): $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+)
• ‍Best for: Entrepreneurs starting small or under income limits
• Tax benefit: Traditional IRA = possible deduction now

Pro Tip: A Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars and grows completely tax-free. 

2. Solo 401(k) (aka: your Wealth-Building Superpower)

• Max Contribution (2025): Up to $69,000 or (or $76,500 if age 50+) combining employee + employer contribution 
• Best for: High-earning solopreneurs who want to go BIG‍
• Tax benefit: Reduces your taxable income now, with tax-deferred growth

Contribution breakdown:

• Employee deferral: Up to $23,000 ($30,500 if over 50)
• Employer match: Up to 25% of W-2 salary (if S-Corp) or adjusted net earnings (if sole prop/LLC)
• Total combined cap: up to $69,000 annually (or $76,500 if age 50+)

Power Move: This is the strategy to 10x your retirement—and potentially save thousands in taxes each year.

3. SEP IRA

• Max Contribution (2025): Up to 25% of eligible compensation, capped at $69,000
• Best for: Simplicity, ease, and fewer admin requirements
• Tax benefit: 100% tax-deductible to the business

Heads-up: If you hire employees later, you’ll be required to contribute the same percentage to their accounts too. 

What Does 10x Look Like Over Time?

Assuming a 10% average annual return, here’s how your money can grow when you make much larger annual contributions:

Whether you’re starting with $7K or have the capacity to contribute $50K, this chart shows the undeniable power of consistent investing and compounding over time. 

If you're earning $250K or more, your peak income years create a powerful opportunity. By contributing $50K annually to a Solo 401(k)—and staying consistent—you could build nearly $3 million in just 20 years.

Real-World Example: From $20K/Year to $1.4 Million

Let’s say your business earns $150K, and you contribute $20K annually to a Solo 401(k):

• After 10 years: ~$318,000
• After 20 years: Over $1.4 million
• And those $20K contributions? Tax-deductible.

This isn’t a dream—it’s real numbers. This is how savvy women build financial power and freedom of choice. 

Final Thoughts: Ready to 10x Your Retirement?

As women entrepreneurs, we give so much to our clients, our teams, and our families. But your future self? She deserves attention with this wealth building tool.

Ready to start?

- Understand your business structure
- Open the right retirement account
- Begin contributing—even $100/week is a powerful first move

A Solo 401(k) can help you contribute 10x more than a traditional IRA.
That’s how you multiply your money, your confidence, and your choices.

Ready to Take Action & Create Financial Freedom?

You’ve worked too hard to leave your financial future to chance. Download your free Financial Freedom Checklist—designed specifically for women entrepreneurs ready to build serious wealth.

Inside, you’ll learn how to:
- Build a simple plan for long-term financial freedom
- Follow the exact steps women use to invest confidently
- Start maximizing contributions—even if you’re starting small

It’s not about working harder—it’s about making your money work for you.

Download your checklist now at PersonalFinanceWarrior.com

Kelly Gushue is a Financial Coach and CEO of Personal Finance Warrior. Subscribe to her newsletter for exclusive tips and strategies to help you build wealth and achieve financial freedom. Visit www.PersonalFinanceWarrior.com to get started today!