As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we bring you our top five British female entrepreneurs. These five women have made their millions from sheer hard graft, creativite vision and a huge amount of guts! We are inspired, we hope you are too…

1. J. K Rowling

This lady needs little introduction. The Harry Potter novelist penned her first book in a local cafe – as she couldn’t scrape together enough money to heat her house during the day – and went on to create the international smash hit Harry Potter series. She’s an absolute inspiration to us and any budding female writers out there. Estimated Net Worth: £647 million

2. Martha Lane Fox

Martha Lane Fox founded Lastminute.com at the peak of the dot com boom, her vision and forward thinking is an inspiration to those looking to start their own business, particularly online. She stepped down from the company in 2003. Estimated Net Worth: £313 million

3. Karen Brady

The measured, intelligent The Apprentice TV star was heralded as the first lady of British football, after buying out and managing Birmingham FC at the tender age of 23. She has gone on to run many successul businesses. If you can keep a rabble of football fans in order (and Sir Alan Sugar!)…Karen Brady: We salute you! Estimated Net Worth: £82 million

4. Natalie Massenet

Journalist Natalie Massenet sat around her kitchen table with a couple of friends and spotted a gap in the market, selling designer fashion online. She sourced funding from friends and family and set-up Net-a-Porter over a decade ago. She sold the company to luxury goods group Richemont a few years ago and netted herself £50 million in the process, whilst making all her friends and family millionaires. We are inspired! Estimated Net Worth: £50 million

5. Michelle Mone

Michelle Mone grew up in relative poverty in Glasgow, but had the brain wave of launching a range of support bra’s during a dinner party, after spending the evening wearing very uncomfortable underwear. She launched MJM International soon after and went on to become the founder of the super successful Ultimo lingerie brand. We interviewed Michelle Mone last year, read it HERE>> Estimated Net Worth: £39 million

Emily @FashionBite xx