Women are Growing Small Businesses

Women are Growing Small Business
by Claire Bridges, Business Coach

In an article from Wells Fargo Newsroom in January 2024 “The number of women-owned businesses increased at nearly double the rate of their male counterparts. Black women and Latina entrepreneurs emerged from the pandemic stronger than all women-owned employers.” It is gratifying to know that women-owned businesses are growing in vast numbers around the country. As a business coach part of my work is to provide clients with resources in their community. This month, to highlight International Women’s Month, I would like to point out the resources in Louisville and Kentucky that support woman-owned businesses.

First, I would like to highlight our own organization, the Small Business Development Center, which provides numerous opportunities for women-owned businesses. We can assist you in becoming a certified woman-owned business. Certifications help to level the playing field for minority and women-owned businesses. In Eastern Kentucky, the annual “Big Sandy Women’s Symposium” is held to celebrate women and their accomplishments in business. If you are in the area you should register for this event taking place on April 30th  here. Perhaps most exciting; over the past year the SBDC of Kentucky has launched its Childcare Initiative. “The objective is to devise and execute new programs promoting the growth and sustainability of childcare providers, enabling them to serve the commonwealth’s children more effectively (taken from UK Martin Gatton College of Agriculture article). Business coaches from around the state are now trained to assist childcare businesses, which in turn will also support working women and families across all sectors right here in our own community.

Another fantastic resource is the Women Business Center of Kentucky led by executive director Devanny King. The WBC of Kentucky is an inclusive organization supporting women from diverse backgrounds in their business endeavors through advising, training, and events. A great opportunity to connect is at their Strong Women Strong Coffee Roundtable, held in Louisville on the last Friday of every month. You can find out more info here.

Lastly, Woman Owned Wallet “W.O.W.” is a great community driver. This group has created a retail shop curated with inventory made by only female makers. “We believe in women supporting women. Forever and always.” This model has been very successful in Louisville and the SBDC has many clients who have been able to sell their goods in the shop. This brand has now launched another concept to further support woman-owned businesses. W.O.W. Factor Collective is a creative ad agency focused on women, they host workshops on various topics taught by women who are experts in their field and offer event and meeting space for women-focused events.

I certainly hope that these resources are helpful to you and that the women-woned businesses can benefit from these opportunities this coming year. Feel free to schedule an appointment with me here to chat further.