Amazon says these are the 6 best women-owned small businesses selling on its platform. We asked them to share their keys to successful entrepreneurship.

• Last week Amazon announced the finalists for its first-ever Small Business of the Year awards, and there was a special category for women-owned businesses.
• The 6 women finalists hail from across the US, and offer unique products from agriculture and heavy industry to wellness and playtime.
• Business Insider reached out to each of the finalists to hear their advice for how other entrepreneurs - men and women alike - can capture ideas, get funding, and continue to develop and grow their businesses.
• Visit BI Prime for more stories.

Women-owned businesses represent more than 40% of US small businesses, and Amazon makes it easy to find and buy products from women sellers on its platform through its Storefronts initiative.

Last week, six businesses were named as finalists in the women-owned category of Amazon's first-ever Small Business of the Year awards, highlighting some of the innovative ideas offered by female entrepreneurs.

Business Insider reached out to each of the finalists to hear their advice to other entrepreneurs for how to capture ideas, get funding, and continue to develop and grow their businesses. Their answers have been lightly edited for clarity.