WomenVenture is an organization that is near and dear to me. It’s a 45-year-old nonprofit that provides women of all ages, cultures, races and income levels with the tools and resources to achieve economic success through small business ownership. Along with capital, WomenVenture also provides access to business consulting, training and development, mentorship and a community to help its clients reach their goals.
As the founder of a woman-owned business myself, its mission of helping women really resonates and the value of the resources and support it provides is immeasurable.
A Powerful Segment
I’ve written about my passion for helping women business owners before, and I have celebrated the growth of women-owned businesses over the years. In 2022, 42% of the U.S. businesses were owned by women, according to SCORE. And, between 2019 and 2023, the growth rate of women-owned businesses outpaced that of men-owned businesses in the number of firms, employment, and revenue. We are a powerful segment of the economy.
Still, many women need help. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, three of the most significant barriers to women business owners include capital, confidence, and market saturation. And, BIPOC women entrepreneurs often face more challenges, making resources like those that WomenVenture provides all the more critical for business development.
My Path
When WomenVenture began 45 years ago, my mom was home raising my younger sister and me. She taught us to be independent thinkers, outspoken and confident women. She worked to ensure we had more opportunities than she did in her own career.
When I left home for college to pursue a journalism major, I also was interested in women’s studies (known today as gender and women’s studies). I had already experienced the gender inequality that exists in the workplace, and I felt compelled to advocate for women’s rights. Though I went on to pursue a career that put the communications industry at the center, when I started Evo Communications I also found myself putting women at the center.
I have placed many highly talented independent communicators, both men and women, in corporate gigs. In addition, many of the companies I partner with—from accounting to legal and administration—are owned by women.
But, I’m not going to lie; I get the most energy when I know I’m helping women-owned businesses start, stabilize, and prosper by matching them with the kind of gig assignments and projects they have told me they’re looking for. Helping them thrive helps me thrive.
My Own Ties to WomenVenture
About five years ago, when Evo Communications was two years old, I began to develop a philanthropic focus. I decided that each time Evo won a new client, I’d make a $500 donation to WomenVenture. It made sense as the nonprofit’s mission and vision closely aligned with mine.
And as I embark on the Year of What’s Next after becoming an empty-nester this year, I have more time to support WomenVenture and help its clients. I’m excited about what I’ll be doing and I’ll reveal what that looks like in the coming months. In the meantime, I stand by my belief in the power of women. I also know that if we want to disrupt the systems of power in our country and create truly equitable opportunities for women, it’s those of us who identify as female who must start and support one another’s businesses.
To learn more about the support WomenVenture provides, visit womenventure.org.
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