Introduction. The relevance of the study stems from the growing contribution of women entrepreneurs to economic development amid persistent systemic barriers. The key contradiction remains the dissonance between the declared state support and real institutional constraints, including financial barriers, gender stereotypes and regional differentiation of business conditions.
Aim. To identify and compare success strategies of women entrepreneurs in Russia and abroad in the context of systemic barriers and the opportunities to overcome them in different economic and cultural environments.
Methods. Secondary analysis of scientific publications and analytical reports, content analysis of full-text sources. The sample of countries was determined according to the IMF classification: advanced economies.
Results. It was found that success strategies are determined by the level of economic development and the specifics of the institutional environment. Significant differences were revealed: in developed countries, proactive strategies for using institutional opportunities prevail, while in Russia and developing countries, adaptive and compensatory strategies for overcoming systemic barriers dominate.
Scientific novelty based on the comparative analysis of adaptive and compensatory strategies, the study identifies the unique character of Russian strategies, which combine elements of different models.
Practical significance. The results can be used by state and public institutions to develop targeted programmes to support women’s entrepreneurship, taking into account national and regional specifics, as well as by entrepreneurs themselves to select effective business strategies.