Author: Kirsten Barker

Offering Free Childcare Slashes Turnover At Small Business

Headshot of Starr Edwards, founder of Bitchin' Sauce

In this article from Fast Company, Starr Edwards, founder of Bitchin’ Sauce, shares how offering free childcare augmented retention and hiring, especially during the worst of the pandemic. Edwards shares, ” Everyone touts work-life balance—and this is one of the most essential forms of that. Can you care for your family and work at the same time? If people can find ways of doing that, whether it’s subsidizing outside care or doing it internally like we have, I think ultimately it’s in the company’s best interest.”

Institute Impacts Women Entrepreneurs in Jacksonville, FL

Headshot of Melissa Ross during her First Coast Connect radio program on WJCT News

The Institute was mentioned by Bank of America Jacksonville Market President Mark Bennett during an interview with Melissa Ross of WJCT News (NPR) Jacksonville as part of her First Coast Connect program and her Women’s Small Business Month series. Mark highlighted how the Institute is helping women in Jacksonville grow their businesses.  His comments begin just past 53:50.

Bank of America Launches Capital Directory for Women Entrepreneurs

hand putting coins into a piggy bnk

Bank of America, in partnership with Seneca Women, announced the launch of the Bank of America Access to Capital Directory. This platform was created to help educate women-owned businesses in the U.S. on navigating the capital landscape and identify potential sources of funding, such as equity, debt and grant capital. Click here to read the press release. Click here to access the directory.

We All Need Help – The Importance of Finding A Mentor

two businesswomen sitting in leather chairs at a conference table having a discussion

Michele Sileo, Managing Director at Eleven, has some important thoughts on the importance of mentorship. She states, “There is significant pressure on women to work smarter, harder, and more dutifully than men, and that pressure often leads to a hesitation to ask for help.” That said, she goes on to share that, “asking for help is part of growth…and it’s one of the most important lessons one can learn from mentorship.” Learn more about her take on asking for help and becoming a mentor in this Fast Company article.

Accelerating Your Success As A Female Founder

woman entrepreneur standing outside door holding "welcome - we are open" sign

This recent piece in Entrepreneur entitled “How to Accelerate Your Success as a Female Founder” shares that there are basically two steps to starting a business: doing something to get the ball rolling, and then saying, “I’m doing this.” The article states that many female entrepreneurs struggle with the second part and provides ideas on how to get unstuck and feel more comfortable with self promotion.

Cohort of Charlotte-based Latina Entrepreneurs Complete Certificate Program

Sil Ganzo - Charlotte, NC entrepreneur

This is a link to a wonderful 3-minute radio spot put together by WFAE. The piece aired as a local segment in Charlotte, NC during NPR’s “All Things Considered” broadcast. It shares some of Latina entrepreneur, Sil Ganzó’s, thoughts about how the Women’s Entrepreneurship certificate program impacted her personally and professionally.

We are so proud of that first Charlotte-based cohort to complete the program and are excited to see the second cohort underway!

Anne Finucane to Retire

Headshot of Anne Finucane

Bank of America recently announced that Anne Finucane, Vice Chairman and member of the company’s executive management team will retire at the end of 2021.  Finucane is the first woman vice chairman of Bank of America and the first woman chairman of the board of Bank of America Europe, the company’s European banking subsidiary based in Ireland. In addition, she directed the development of Bank of America’s ESG and sustainable finance work, where she has mobilized the organization’s scale, global reach, talent and financial capabilities to address some of society’s biggest challenges.  She was instrumental in the launch of the Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell which is now working to support 50,000 women entrepreneurs.  We are so appreciative for her advocacy and support and wish her well in her next chapter!

Interview with Yael Vizel on the $200MM sale of Zeekit

company logo for Zeekit

Yael Vizel is the founder of the startup, Zeekit, which uses artificial intelligence to enable customers to try on clothes via a virtual platform. Vizel is also one of the only Israeli women to seal a nine-figure exit deal with an acquirer (in this case Walmart). This article shares a fascinating interview with her as she discusses the deal and also the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur.

Link to webinar-Workshop Your Network: Cultivating Mentors, Peers, and Mentees in Business

Screenshot of Michelle Talbert from webinar

During this highly interactive workshop, Michelle Y. Talbert, ‘00 Human Ecology (and graduate of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Certificate Program) guides listeners in setting personal intention, identifying the pressing needs in one’s business, and creating a strategy to connect with the right people. To access a recording of this webinar, click here.