This case study aims at understanding the success factors of women's businesses by analysing and comparing men's and women's businesses in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Based on databases of the Chamber of Commerce for businesses in Cartagena and on interviews with small business owners in Bucaramanga, the report highlights the challenges of women's businesses, the reasons of failure, the personal and professional characteristics successful business owners need to bring along and the achievements of programmes aimed at strengthening women's businesses.