Women Investing In Women At Gwinnett Women’s Chamber

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Women in Gwinnett County, Georgia, are breaking barriers and making waves in the business world. With a growing number of female entrepreneurs, Gwinnett County is quickly becoming a hub for innovative businesses that are investable and have a significant economic impact.

In this article, we will explore how these women are changing the face of entrepreneurship in Gwinnett County and the challenges they face in achieving success.

Gwinnett County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Georgia, with a population of over 900,000 residents. It is home to a diverse range of businesses, from startups to large corporations. However, until recently, women have been underrepresented in the business world. According to a 2019 report by the National Women’s Business Council, only 37% of businesses in Georgia are owned by women. In Gwinnett County, the numbers are slightly better, with 39% of businesses owned by women.

Despite the progress made, women still face significant challenges in starting and growing businesses. These challenges include access to funding, lack of support networks, and gender bias. However, women in Gwinnett County are taking matters into their own hands and are finding ways to overcome these obstacles.

One of the ways women in Gwinnett County are creating investable businesses is by leveraging their networks. Many successful female entrepreneurs in Gwinnett County credit their success to the support they received from other women. Through networking events, mentorship programs, and business associations, women in Gwinnett County are building strong support systems that help them navigate the business world. These networks not only provide emotional support but also help women access funding and other resources they need to grow their businesses.

Another way women in Gwinnett County are creating investable businesses is by tapping into niche markets. Many successful female entrepreneurs in Gwinnett County have identified unmet needs in their communities and have created businesses that address those needs. For example, Katie Wilson, the founder of Goldfish Swim School, recognized a need for high-quality swimming lessons for children in the area and opened a swim school that caters to young children. Today, Goldfish Swim School has expanded to multiple locations across the country and has become a successful franchise.

Women in Gwinnett County are also taking advantage of the many resources available to entrepreneurs in the area. The county’s economic development agency, Partnership Gwinnett, provides a wide range of resources and services to help businesses grow. These include access to funding, mentorship programs, and educational resources. Women in Gwinnett County are taking advantage of these resources and are using them to create businesses that are not only investable but also have a significant economic impact on the area.

Despite the progress made, women in Gwinnett County still face significant challenges in starting and growing businesses. One of the biggest challenges is access to funding. According to a 2020 report by the Kauffman Foundation, women-owned businesses receive only 2.3% of venture capital funding in the United States. This disparity is even more pronounced for women of color, who receive only 0.5% of venture capital funding.

To address this issue, women in Gwinnett County are turning to alternative sources of funding. Many female entrepreneurs are taking advantage of crowdfunding platforms, such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo, to raise capital for their businesses. Others are turning to community development financial institutions (CDFIs), which provide loans and other financial services to underserved communities. By leveraging these alternative sources of funding, women in Gwinnett County are finding ways to overcome the funding gap and grow their businesses.

“Despite the progress made in recent years, women still face gender-based discrimination in the business world.”

Another challenge women in Gwinnett County face is gender bias. Despite the progress made in recent years, women still face gender-based discrimination in the business world. This discrimination can manifest in many ways, from the lack of

representation of women in leadership positions to the unequal pay for women in the workforce. This bias can also affect women’s ability to secure funding for their businesses.

To combat gender bias, women in Gwinnett County are advocating for greater representation of women in leadership positions and promoting diversity and inclusion in the business world. Many women are also actively seeking out investors who are committed to supporting women-owned businesses and creating more equitable opportunities for all entrepreneurs.

One example of a woman-owned business that has overcome these challenges is the bakery business, The Baking Grounds. The owner, Kayla Brantley, faced discrimination and challenges in securing funding for her business, but she persevered and was able to open her bakery in Gwinnett County. Today, The Baking Grounds has become a popular destination for locals and has had a significant economic impact on the area.

In conclusion, women in Gwinnett County, Georgia, are creating businesses that are investable and have a significant economic impact on the area. Despite the challenges they face, women are finding ways to overcome these obstacles and are creating businesses that serve their communities and contribute to the growth of the local economy. Through strong networks, tapping into niche markets, and taking advantage of available resources, women in Gwinnett County are breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of female entrepreneurs. As we move forward, it is crucial to continue to support and uplift women-owned businesses and promote diversity and inclusion in the business world. By doing so, we can create a more equitable and prosperous future for all.