By May 10, 2022 Community
Business ownership has historically been dominated by men in the U.S. Although the number of female entrepreneurs is increasing, their successes are often overlooked.
That’s something the Washington Women’s Business Center is looking to change with its annual Celebrating Dreams event.
Celebrating Dreams is an opportunity for participants to connect with other female entrepreneurs, mentors, community partners, resources, and leaders to celebrate female entrepreneurship. This year’s theme is ‘The Power of Pause and Its Possibilities’. A theme inspired by the strength female entrepreneurs have demonstrated during the pandemic and beyond. During the pandemic, women entrepreneurs have had to pause to reevaluate and reinvent themselves and their businesses. With the power of pause, they have found new possibilities to move forward into a new future.
We are proud to partner with the Washington Women’s Business Center at Business Impact NW and sponsor this year’s Celebrating Dreams event to celebrate the success of female entrepreneurship in the Pacific Northwest.
“Empowering and supporting women-owned businesses is good for the economy and creating a diverse business community that fosters innovation,” said Verity CEO Tonita Webb. “Owning a business is an avenue to creating generational wealth and long term stability. Partnering with people and organizations, like the Washington Women's Business Center, to create prosperity for all is part of Verity's core philosophy.“
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual business survey, 34% of new businesses in 2020 were started by women, and of those, 27% were started by BIPOC women. One of the main challenges cited by female entrepreneurs in starting a business is lack of financing. According to Forbes, only about 2.3% of venture capital goes to women entrepreneurs. And for the last two years, only about 29% of business loan originations in the U.S. went to female entrepreneurs, according to Experian. This leaves most women financing their businesses through their own cash, borrowing money from friends and family, or leveraging 401K rollover plans.
This is where the Washington Women’s Business Center, Business Impact NW, and Verity come in. The three entities partner together with female entrepreneurs to provide small business loans, coaching, and other support. Celebrating Dreams is a chance to celebrate these local business owners and uplift new entrepreneurs.
The event is hybrid this year, with the in-person event being held at The Metropolist in downtown Seattle. The virtual event is free and will have Spanish interpretation available.
To register for the in-person or virtual event, visit businessimpactnw.org/tickets
In advance of the event, Washington Women’s Business Center is hosting two free online webinars:
- Use the Power of Story to Grow Your Business, May 12 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Get Your Big Dream Mojo Back, May 19 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Visit https://businessimpactnw.org/annual-events/dreams/ to register.
Additional resources:
- Celebrating Dreams Showcase businesses -- shop and support women-owned businesses across the region
- Washington Women’s Business Center
- Business Impact NW
- Business checking accounts at Verity
- Business loans at Verity