The Key to Empowering More Women Entrepreneurs

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What is the greatest resource that women entrepreneurs have?

Other women entrepreneurs.

But this idea poses a problem for women, as several studies reference one of the greatest barriers to women in entrepreneurship as lack of mentors. Some theorize that the reason for this is cyclical. Women seek out women mentors, and with only 23% of entrepreneurs being women, that puts them at a disadvantage. And while the gender gap in entrepreneurs is shrinking year after year (the ratio of women to men participating in entrepreneurship shrank by 5 percent since 2014), we still face a challenge in Fort Wayne—only 5% of entrepreneurs in our community are women.

That’s why our community’s programs designed specifically for women are so important. Check out these Northeast Indiana businesses that offer women-specific programming.

WEOC’s mission is to help women-owned and led founders to start, grow and scale their businesses and ventures. Our vision is to be known as the most trusted business-building resource in Northeast Indiana for women-owned businesses.

The mission of Own Your Success is to provide supportive community for women entrepreneurs in Northeast Indiana.

It’s crucial that women in our community have equal opportunity to realize their entrepreneurial dreams. As a community, everyone can help create this ecosystem by:

• Personally and professionally supporting women-owned businesses.
  Consider purchasing from local, women-owned businesses.
• Connect women to women.
  Recognize the entrepreneurial spirit in the women around you, and connect them with the resources that will help light their fire.
• Spread the word.
  The more we know, the more we grow. Talk to others in our community, at any level, about how they can be more supportive of women entrepreneurs in the community.

Entrepreneurship is a key economic driver in Northeast Indiana, and by supporting women in the entrepreneurial endeavors, we create a more prosperous and lively community.

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