Women's entrepreneurship

When Maritza Gomez couldn't get a job, she took matters into her own hands and started a business.

Maritza, who owns MG Custom Printing in Riverside, Calif., moved to the United States from Mexico when she was nine. After starting her business, she decided to study business at California State University San Bernardino. While she was in school she became involved with the business programs on campus that further developed her entrepreneurial spirit.

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.

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.

Spills are an inevitable part of life for a mom with two toddlers, but Cara Brzezicki of Littleton, Colorado, needed a way to minimize messes after her sixth-month-old son’s favorite game became throwing his sippy cup on the floor. 

After trying to no avail to find a product that would prevent her son’s cup from falling, Cara decided to take matters into her own hands. She bought a clamp from a hardware store, drilled a hole in it, attached a cord and hair tie, and the Sippie Clippie was born. 

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 its funded its growth.

On July 24, Small Business Majority launched its new Women’s Entrepreneurship Program in Los Angeles, a special initiative offering tools and resources for female entrepreneurs to succeed. Women—especially women of color—are one of the fastest-growing segments of our economy, but they continue to be at a disadvantage in critical business indicators. The Women’s Entrepreneurship Program will help local women entrepreneurs gain the resources they need to start and grow their companies. Read on for a recap of our program kick off to learn more about the program.

Small Business Majority recently participated in the 2018 POSiBLE L.A. Entrepreneur Summit, a curated bilingual event dedicated to Angelino entrepreneurs and sponsored by Univision. California Deputy Director and National Hispanic Outreach Manager Xiomara Peña moderated a panel entitled, “La receta del éxito para restaurants” or “The recipe to success in the restaurants industry." This panel explored how business owners in the restaurant industry can secure financing and thrive. The interactive dialogue provided a wealth of knowledge about starting a business in the local restaurant industry. Read on for a recap of this event and to learn more about launching a successful restaurant business.

Armed with a cosmetology license, two bachelor’s degrees and a love for organic hair care, Mariatu “Tu” Browne is on a mission to unlock the natural beauty of every client she encounters. She discovered her passion for hair at the early age of nine while braiding hair for her friends and family in her native home in Sierra Leone.

Candace Combs is a spa owner on a mission, working to heal her customers and make massage more accessible to her community.

“What we do isn’t designed just to relax you, but to physically help you,” Candace said. “People need massage in their lives.”

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. Central to women’s economic success is women’s entrepreneurship, which contributes significantly to overall economic growth and prosperity.