Women-owned businesses with revenues between $250,000 and $5 million struggle to find the loans they need to grow their businesses – that’s according to a new survey of women business owners about their capital needs by Invest in Women Entrepreneurs Initiative (I-WE).
To kick off Women’s History Month in March, Small Business Majority recently hosted a Twitter chat, “Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs” to share tips and resources for women entrepreneurs from business organizations and entrepreneurs around the country.
Small Business Majority's Deputy California Director Xiomara Peña spoke with Remy Meraz, founder of Me Tyme Network, to discuss her story and lessons she learned along the way as she built her business.
Women entrepreneurs contribute significantly to America’s economy and women are opening businesses at higher rates than their male counterparts. While women entrepreneurs face unique challenges around issues like accessing capital and finding mentors, they are increasingly optimistic. Bank of America’s 2018 Women Business Owner Spotlight found 58% of women business owners expect to increase revenue in the coming year, up from 44% in 2017. Similarly, 56% plan to grow their business over the next five years and 1 in 5 plan to hire in the next year.
Plenty of entrepreneurs like to think of their business as one of a kind, but for Dr. Heather Nelson it might actually be true.
Heather owns Heather Nelson Studio in Springfield, Mo. Heather’s unique musical training certainly qualifies her as a piano and vocal teacher, but she primarily works with those suffering from vocal injuries. While her typical clients range from novices to professional vocalists, Heather also provides vocal regimens and techniques to those who have damaged their vocal cords or been diagnosed with nodes or polyps to help them sing again.
Kateri Gutierrez co-founded Collective Avenue Coffee in Lynwood in 2016 with big dreams of what the business could do for her community. As her business has grown, this commitment to community has become the foundation of Collective Avenue Coffee, from it business structure to its mission and even how it's funded its growth.
Throughout Women’s History Month, we celebrate the economic, social and political contributions that women make to our world. Women account for roughly half of the American workforce, attain higher levels of education than men and are an increasing share of primary or solo breadwinners. There is no doubt that for America to thrive, we must promote the economic empowerment of women.