November is National Entrepreneurship Month, which aims to spotlight small business founders and owners and their contributions to innovation and economic impact. According to Fundera there are 12.3 million women-owned businesses in the United States. For many, launching, growing, and growing is a lonely adventure. Jenny Shum, general manager of Chase Ink, says something that can help make the journey less isolating is leaning on a like-minded community for support. “It’s this connection to the community that helps business owners find the resources they need to succeed.”
The role that recognition can play
While the importance of being part of a community is nothing new, the power of winning awards is less often talked about. “Small businesses are the heart of our communities,” Shum says. “Ongoing recognition and collaboration with trusted partners and peers can often help a business overcome potential obstacles and thrive.
That’s why, in 2022, Chase Ink has partnered with Entrepreneur to launch the Entrepreneurista 100 Awards. The awards honor and celebrate trailblazing female founders who are changing the world. Jessica Abo sat down with three winners to learn more about their businesses and how being recognized has helped improve their visibility, credibility and bottom line.
The story of Anouck Gotlib
Anouck Gotlib
After studying fashion design and working at fashion houses like Zac Posen and Natan, Belgian Anouck Gotlib became marketing director of Belgian boys, which bakes quick breakfasts and cookies in whimsical packaging to bring happy European treats to families across America. In 2018, she was appointed CEO.
When the pandemic caused the sudden loss of nearly a third of Belgian Boys’ business with airlines, catering and more, Gotlib not only donated more than 80,000 treats to local communities and struggling frontline workers, but she also increased revenue and doubled the team. . She joined The Entrepreneur League and says being part of the community gave her the strength she needed to get through this difficult time. “Having a community gives you a sense of belonging. It’s seeing people and being seen. It’s about lifting others up and being connectors.
She leveraged her network to secure Belgian Boys’ first outside investment in 2021 from Equilibra, the family office of KIND Snacks founder Daniel Lubetzky, and was recognized as an Entreprenista 100 honoree. She says the wins and the awards gave him the confidence to reach higher and raise the bar to make more of an impact. Her advice to other female founders is to “surround yourself with amazing people and build the strongest team around you.” Bring together the people who inspire you and together you will build great things.
Tori Bell
Tori Bell’s story
Tori Bell discovered the power of community when she founded the organization “Black Women at Facebook,” which now has 3,000 members worldwide under her leadership. Her passion for creating inclusive change within businesses inspired her to pursue entrepreneurship herself and launch Inclusion unpacked in 2021. Bell says the biggest hurdle was getting funding to get started. “Black women receive on average less than 1% of available venture capital dollars,” she says. “I knew the obstacle would be difficult.” She successfully raised the capital she needed to build her digital community of members, which provides training, events, and a support network for founders and leaders committed to building diverse, equitable, and inclusive businesses from the ground up.
“After applying for numerous grants and programs, I finally got one after receiving an Entreprenista 100 award. The grant came at a crucial time for us. Since winning this award, we have secured venture capital investment and experienced an increase in sales to new customers. With the support of her own trusted community, Bell has racked up several impressive achievements and accolades, including admission to several notable incubator programs, and was the first Black woman to win the prestigious Columbia Startup Pitch Competition Business School. She says that if you’re starting out, you have to make yourself visible. “Being part of a network is essential. A significant part of your early success is often due to others defending and supporting you. »
Jill Apgar
Jill Apgar’s Story
After struggling to manage her mixed-race daughter’s curly hair, Jill Apgar had the idea to create a solution for other multicultural families. When she noticed that silk pillowcases helped her own hair, a light bulb went off and Apgar designed a prototype silk crib sheet. Daughter Cora’s tangles and dry skin improved almost magically overnight thanks to buttery-soft Coco Beans sheets. In 2020, after a fortuitous layoff from her corporate role due to a pandemic, she decided to take the plunge and officially launch Coconut beans, a luxury bedding and sleepwear brand designed specifically for children with textured hair. She also fearlessly launched a new line of bamboo pajamas amid market uncertainty, further diversifying the brand’s offerings with eco-friendly manufacturing that’s kinder to the skin and the planet.
Apgar says she’s faced her own set of challenges, including supply chain issues caused by the global pandemic. “We were able to overcome our cash flow issues by adopting an organic marketing strategy leveraging our small but loyal social media following, as well as activating the central Ohio market through a series of local pop-up stores” , she says. “My advice is to start fast and small. Rather than waiting for a product or service to be “perfect,” prioritize marketing it and start building a relationship with your customers. Feedback will help you deliver a better product or experience and ultimately build trust with customers – a key pillar of long-term success.
Apgar says going from a corporate environment to owning her own business has been a lonely path, but being part of communities of female founders like The League has been essential. “These women have been so generous, sharing lessons learned from victories and failures, lending a compassionate ear during difficult times, encouraging me to take myself to the next level, and cheering me on every step of the way.” She adds that receiving an Entreprenista 100 Award has boosted her brand’s credibility as well as her trustworthiness as a founder and she encourages more women to come forward.
The circle is complete
Even as these three founders overcome obstacles with the help of mentors and peers, they not only lead fast-growing businesses, but they also empower the communities around them. This year, they will be part of the selection committee for the Entreprenista 100 Awards. The deadline for apply is November 22, 2024.