click to enlarge FLICKR/RIAN CASTILLO

Women have started a higher percentage of new businesses in St. Louis than any other major metro area in the U.S.

St. Louis women may struggle to get paid as much as their male counterparts — but when it comes to starting our own businesses, we lead the pack.In fact, a new study rates the Gateway City No. 1 in the nation in terms of female entrepreneurship. It relies on census data to show that St. Louis has more women-owned startups any other metro area in the U.S.Looking at businesses that notched at least $1,000 in revenue and were formed in the last two years, the Seek Capital study determined that 45.2 percent of St. Louis-area startups have a woman on top. That's 2,726 companies, with an estimated $150 million to $500 million in revenue and 6,257 employees.Second on the list, Austin, wasn't even close, with just 32.7 percent of startups having a female owner. And it's not a case of Austin having a larger pool; it boasts just 1,433 female-owned companies. No. 3, Providence, had just 718 female-owned startups, or 30.9 percent of its total.In short, St. Louis women dominate. Or, to paraphrase Beyonce: Who run the world? St. Louis girls!