The document discusses the rise of women entrepreneurs in the U.S., noting their significant growth compared to the national average between 2002 and 2012, with successful startups featuring more women in senior roles leading to better business outcomes. It emphasizes the unique challenges women face in entrepreneurship and the need for innovative solutions, while highlighting the positive impact of women in leadership on business returns. The document also outlines the initiatives by Empowered XX to attract and serve diverse business owners, featuring strategic communication and targeted programs developed based on extensive research and community collaboration.

1. Diversity
Initiative

2. Women are
the fastest
growing
demographi
c of
business
owners in
the country
in
increasing
diverse

3. Between
2002 and
2012, the
number of
women-
owned
businesses in
the U.S.
increased at
a rate of
x 2 1/2
the national
average.

5. Successful startups have 2x
as many women in senior
roles than unsuccessful
companies.
- Fortune, 2012

6. The Value of Diversity
• Women entrepreneurs tend to treat their
employees better and give back to their
communities
(Criterion Institute, 2013)
• Women entrepreneurs have higher levels of
innovation than their male counterparts
(Harvard Business Review, 2013).
• More broadly, an increase in the number of
women in business leadership positions is
correlated with increased business returns and
payout ratios.
(Kaufmann, 2015)

7. The Development of WBO’S
• Extensive research now exists on the obstacles
that diverse business owners face.
• Women face similar challenges but feel the
effects more acutely and require innovative
solutions to addressing those challenges.
• Gender, like race or age shapes the values and
social experiences of an individual .
• Best practices have been developed and are
currently being executed.

8. Can your program attract
and serve the growing
diversity in
entrepreneurship?

9. Empowered XX
Working with
economic
developers to
effectively attract
and retain diverse
business owners.

10. Empowered XX
Strategic
Communicatio
n
Community
Collaboration
Counseling Skill
Building

11. Unique Value Proposition
• Attracting and effectively serving
• National emerging research combined
with local ecosystem analysis
• Communications skills easily transferred
to multiple diverse populations
• Internal counseling skill building

12. Consider redesigning programs rather
than extending specialized ones to
include women. What has worked to
recruit your current clients may not
necessarily work for a different
demographic.
– Kauffman Foundation, 2015

15. Empowered PhXX Beta

16. Traction
Since August, 2015:
• Held 6 meetings with 35+ attendees.
Leadership from over 200 community
partners.
• Been highlighted by 3 major
publications.
• Held over 100 one on one interviews
to develop market research and best
practices.

17. Traction
90 Days of Maricopa Small Business Development Center
Beta
• Strategic communication strategy
• Counseling skills building training
• Training on the latest research on women business
owners and the unique obstacles they face
Already resulting in…
• Increased connections and referrals of qualified
DIVERSE candidates
• Tracking toward specific impact goals

18. Program Expansion
2 New Cities in 2016
Are you one of them?

20. Connect with Empowered Lab
Communications
www.empowered-lab.com
Or
Empowered-phxx.com
@KristinSlice
Kristin@empowered-lab.com