Julie Weeks spoke at the Women's Business and Enterprise Conference in Glasgow on 9th May. Her presentation highlights the success of female tailored business support in America.

1. Women’s Enterprise Development:
A View From Across the Pond
Julie R. Weeks
Womenable

2. Before the “Big Bang”
▲Incomplete
knowledge
▲Lack of policies,
programmes
▲One women’s
business association

3. Tremendous Progress Seen
Over Past 25 Years
▲Growing research data,
statistics
▲Explosion in # women’s
business associations
▲Transformation in view:
WOBs as customers,
suppliers

4. Growth in Number of Women-Owned Firms
Exceeds National Average
Employment/Revenue Growth Tops All But Largest Companies
American Express OPEN/Womenable estimates as of 2013, based on 1997-2007 data from US Census Bureau.

5. What Employment Growth There’s Been
Since 2007 Has Come From Publicly-Traded
Corporations ... AND Women-Owned Firms
American Express OPEN/Womenable estimates as of 2013, based on 1997-2007 data from US Census Bureau.
NOTE: Estimated job growth in this chart is for private sector, non-farm employment only, so does not include such public sector jobs as government & universities.
+5.3 million
+5.9 million
-569,000
+175K
-635K -46K

6. Women-Owned Firms Lead Sector Growth
in 8 of Top 13 Industries
Continue Trend of Diversification Across Sectors
American Express OPEN/Womenable estimates as of 2013, based on 1997-2007 data from US Census Bureau.

7. Firms Owned by Women of Color Driving the Growth in
Number, Economic Clout of Women-Owned Firms
American Express OPEN/Womenable estimates as of 2013, based on 1997-2007 data from US Census Bureau.

8. Number of $10M+ Women-Owned Firms
Up Nearly 57% Over Past Decade
American Express OPEN/Womenable estimates as of 2012, based on new, previously unpublished 2002-2007 data from US Census Bureau.

9. We are Entering into a Period of
Climate Change
▲WBC, NWBC programs under
threat
▲CWBR defunct
▲Decline in funding
▲WOBs growing, but gaps still
remain

10. WBC Trend Indicative of Entire
Women’s Enterprise Movement
Fast Growth Early, Now at a Plateau
#ofClientsAnnually
? ? ? ?
Data courtesy of US SBA
Year

11. Lessons Learned
▲Policy necessary but not
sufficient (self-reliance/DIY)
▲Harmonic advocacy critical
(many voices)
▲Celebrate our unique styles
of leadership
▲Our best asset is each other
(cooperate, collaborate)

12. Women’s Enterprise Development:
A View From Across the Pond
Julie R. Weeks
Womenable