Rethinking Financial Health for Women Entrepreneurs in Low-Income Countries

A new report from CARE’s Strive Women program reveals that women entrepreneurs in emerging markets face far more than just funding challenges. Based on insights from nearly 2,500 women in Pakistan, Peru, and Vietnam, the report shows that digital access, crisis savings, support networks, and caregiving responsibilities all significantly impact business success. While most women are confident in their ability to grow a business, many are held back by limited financial tools, lack of digital training, and the weight of unpaid household labor. True financial health, the report argues, means designing systems that reflect women’s real lives—offering flexible funding, digital upskilling, peer support, and solutions that ease the burden of care. To read more, see this link.

Women Business Owners More Concerned About Economic Uncertainty

A new CNBC|SurveyMonkey survey shows that women small business owners are feeling more anxious than men about the economy. They’re more likely to worry about inflation, rising costs, and the possibility of a recession—and nearly 70% say they’re stressed about their business finances. While women are starting businesses at record rates, these concerns reflect the real challenges they’re facing and highlight how differently economic conditions can impact people depending on their experiences. Click this link to read more.

Motherhood Meets Entrepreneurship: Creative Strategies That Work

Now that Mother’s Day has passed, we’re spotlighting insights from women entrepreneurs who are balancing the full-time demands of both business and motherhood. In this HerStory feature, they share the real-life “hacks” that help them juggle investor meetings, school runs, and toddler tantrums—often all in the same day. From time-blocking during school hours to using sensory kits to keep kids engaged during work calls, these mothers rely on structure, early mornings, and strong support systems. They also emphasize the importance of self-care and mental clarity. Their message to other moms thinking about launching a business: you don’t need a perfect plan—just the confidence to begin and the grace to ask for help.

Cyber Threats to Small Business

Nearly half of small and medium-sized businesses globally have experienced a cyberattack, according to a forthcoming Mastercard survey of over 5,000 business owners. The most common forms of attack include hacking, malware, and phishing. These breaches not only lead to financial losses and reduced productivity but also lasting reputational damage—80% of affected businesses reported needing to rebuild trust with clients and partners. Alarmingly, nearly one in five businesses that suffered an attack ended up closing or filing for bankruptcy.

While 86% of small businesses have conducted cybersecurity risk assessments and created prevention plans, only 23% feel very confident in those plans or in their ability to detect threats. A major challenge is educating employees, who often serve as both the first line of defense and a potential vulnerability; 73% of owners report difficulty getting staff to take cybersecurity seriously.

The article published by Mastercard underscores the urgent need for better tools, training, and support to help small businesses strengthen their cyber defenses and avoid devastating consequences.

Celebrating Growth at the Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell: A Fireside Chat from Celebration Ezra 2025

This video features a fireside chat about the Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell, held during Celebration Ezra 2025 — a two-day entrepreneurship conference hosted each spring to unite students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members.

The conversation between Program Director Kirsten Barker and Faculty Director Deborah Streeter explored the Institute’s remarkable growth, from an initial goal of educating 5,000 students to enrolling over 100,000 participants. They also shared video clips of student stories, highlighting how the program has helped entrepreneurs expand their networks and grow their businesses.

Understanding Small Business Lines of Credit

A small business line of credit is a flexible financing option that allows businesses to borrow, repay, and reborrow funds as needed, only paying interest on the amount currently drawn. It helps manage cash flow, cover unexpected expenses, and navigate seasonal fluctuations. Credit lines can be secured (backed by collateral) or unsecured, with eligibility based on factors like credit score and financial history. Unlike term loans, they provide revolving access to funds, offering more control but also requiring disciplined use to avoid accumulating debt. It’s ideal for businesses needing short-term, on-demand access to capital rather than a lump sum loan. To learn more, check out this helpful link published by PNC Bank.

Monetizing Your Podcast

This week’s episode of the Side Hustle Pro podcast delivered a hands-on lesson in business growth for content creators. In this April 16th episode titled “Why Your Podcast Isn’t Making Money (and How to Fix It),” host Nicaila Matthews Okome shared strategies to turn a creative side hustle into a revenue-generating business​. She outlined effective marketing tactics to consistently reach your audience, how to think outside the box with non-traditional sponsorships (e.g. events or retreats, not just ads), and ways to create offerings that listeners will pay for (such as courses or premium content)​.

Looking for Inspiration? Check Out These Titles

If you’re an entrepreneur looking for inspiration, practical advice, or just a good business read, this roundup of 20 must-reads for 2025 has you covered. From Kathryn Finney’s empowering Build the Damn Thing for underrepresented founders, to Andy Dunn’s raw memoir Burn Rate about mental health and startup pressure, the list covers everything from emotional intelligence (Primal Leadership) to harnessing AI for growth (Competing in the Age of AI). Whether you’re launching your first product (Launch, 48-Hour Start-up), building a virtual team (Virtual Freedom), or rethinking leadership (Dare to Lead, Move Fast and Fix Things), there’s a book here that meets you where you are. With tips on financial literacy, productivity hacks, and human-centered entrepreneurship, this list is basically a curated bookshelf for anyone who wants to grow smarter, lead better, and stay sane while building something meaningful.

Impact of US Tariffs on Small Business

Donald Trump’s push to expand tariffs—taxes on imported goods—could significantly impact small businesses by increasing the cost of raw materials and components, especially for those reliant on global supply chains. This would raise production expenses, squeeze profit margins, and potentially force small businesses to increase prices or reduce operations. Uncertainty surrounding trade policy may also deter business investment and disrupt consumer confidence, creating a more volatile environment for small enterprises. To read more about the impact of tariffs, check out this article in The Guardian.

Insights from the 2024-25 GEM (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor) Report

Entrepreneurial activity in the U.S. has bounced back to a historic high, with a diverse group—including veterans, immigrants, and underrepresented communities—actively launching businesses, though many are doing so out of necessity rather than opportunity.

Digital tools, AI, and sustainability are becoming increasingly important, especially among younger entrepreneurs, and women are making international strides despite persistent confidence gaps. Black and Hispanic individuals show especially high optimism and motivation for entrepreneurship, highlighting the need for targeted support to fuel inclusive economic growth.

To read more details from this report, see this link.