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Name: Laura M Bonner Business Name:  The Muff Liquor Company Location:  Donegal, Ireland , Ireland Category:   Premium Spirits Manufacturing Website: www.themuffliquorcompany.com Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-m-bonner-88021215/ Company Detail: The Muff Liquor Company specialises in producing award-winning spirits, including Irish gin, vodka, and whiskey. As a global entity, the company recently established a new Brand Home in Muff, County Donegal, which opened last year. The company boasts A-list celebrities as investors and made its debut in the United States in January of this year. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: The company’s distinctive offerings include potato-based gin and vodka, as well as peated whiskey, which sets it apart from other Irish brands. All three spirits have garnered multiple global awards. Challenges Faced During the Journey: The company has faced numerous challenges, including the impacts of Brexit, the civil unrest in Hong Kong, the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted shipping delays, capital raising, brand awareness, and securing funds for its expansion into the U.S. market, where it is currently present in 34 states and continuing to grow. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Laura's advice to women entrepreneurs is that they possess more resilience than they realise. Take each day as it comes, celebrate achievements, and remember that "fail" stands for "first attempt in learning." They are not alone in this journey; many people are willing to support them, and they won’t regret taking the leap.

Name: Bhumika Vagrecha Business Name:  FinMind Corporation & Evoltec Solutions Location:  FinMind - Delaware, USA and Evoltec Solutions: Manama, Bahrain , Bahrain Establishment (Year): 2021(FinMind)  and 2023 (Evoltec Solutions) Category:   Technology-Led Business Solutions Website: www.FinMind.ai and www.evoltecsolutions.com Company Detail: FinMind provides Automated Corporate Credit Risk Analysis for both public and private entities globally, in the simplest, fastest & most objective way. It’s proprietary and innovative algorithms have a unique ability to provide early warning signals of credit weakening as well as lead indicator of credit upgrades at least 12 months in advance in the form of an automated credit insights report, financial projections and shadow rating, and serves as an important tool for effective credit risk management and informed decision making. Evoltec Solutions is a leading provider of innovative technology solutions, committed to empowering businesses to achieve their digital transformation goals. It’s flagship product- Comprehensive Real Estate ERP Suite is the ultimate solution that sets the standard for excellence in the real estate industry. The powerful platform streamlines operations and enhances efficiency across all aspects of real estate management. Built with cutting-edge technology & an intuitive UI/UX, it offers unparalleled usability & access to essential tools anytime, anywhere. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: FinMind- Fast turnaround time led by automation provides a first mover advantage at earnings release and acts as an effective early warning signal, saves about 30-40% of your analysis time. Further, the low-cost offering results in substantial cost saving for its users and provides global coverage for both public and private entities whether small, medium or large. Evoltec Real Estate ERP is a scalable, secure, and high-performance solution designed by industry experts. Its seamless integration and advanced UI/UX enhance productivity, while cloud accessibility ensures flexibility. Tailored for real estate operations, it meets industry-specific needs with precision. Challenges Faced During the Journey: As the founder of FinMind and Evoltec Solutions, Bhumika Vagrecha faced numerous challenges, from securing initial funding to navigating rapid technological changes and intense market competition. Building trust with clients, assembling a strong team, and ensuring continuous innovation were key hurdles. However, resilience, a clear vision, and a commitment to delivering value-driven tech solutions helped her overcome these obstacles and establish a strong foothold in the industry. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Her advice to young women entrepreneurs is to believe in their vision and never let self-doubt hold them back. The business world may be challenging, but resilience, continuous learning, and adaptability will set them apart. Surrounding oneself with mentors, taking calculated risks, and embracing failure as a stepping stone to success are key. Most importantly, owning the journey with confidence is vital.

Name: Laura Sultan Business Name:  Designs by Nature Gems Location:  Toronto , Canada Category:   Handmade Jewelry Website: https://designsbynaturegems.com/ Social Media: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/laura-sultan Company Detail: Designs by Nature Gems is a handcrafted, crystal jewelry business based in Toronto. Founded by Laura Sultan, it champions the small business ethos and is built on the principles of quality, sustainability and craftsmanship. All Designs by Nature Gems are made by artisans and original pieces that are truly one of a kind. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Designs by Nature Gems is truly unique in its approach to the art of jewelry making. Focused on artistry, the company focuses on the people behind the craftsmanship. The company offers competitive benefits to all its eligible employees, paid leave for mental health, sick days and birthdays. All while raising the company minimum wage above the standard in 2021, and again in 2022 to adjust for inflation. Designs by Nature Gems is committed to changing the way business is seen. Challenges Faced During the Journey: As a small business and woman-owned, it has been a challenge to exist in the business world. The fight to be taken seriously as a female entrepreneur while maintaining integrity, while working tirelessly to scale the business. There has been a lot of learning in navigating the e-commerce space, logistics and production needs to become an international brand. Every year, there is a new task in staying adaptable to the evolving online algorithm. But, the company has managed to do this with smart financial planning to ensure balance while building a team that is excellent at every part of what they do. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Start before one feels ready. Perfection isn't necessary to take the first step and everyone feels unsure when they begin. Remember to adapt to change and pivot as required, while maintaining original goals and being true to oneself. Know the numbers, understand the finances, find a support system and never stop learning.

Name: Sanja Hendrick Business Name:  Talent Academy Location:  Adelaide , Australia Category:   Training and Education Website: www.talentacademy.com.au Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjahendrick/ Company Detail: Talent Academy is a leading provider of expert facilitation and training services, specializing in communication skills development for leaders and organizations. Founded as a solo venture by Sanja Hendrick, Talent Academy has grown into a collective of eight communication specialists. They help individuals and teams enhance their presentation, speaking, and communication skills, enabling them to build stronger, more cohesive teams, pitch for funding, and lead effectively. Their team focuses on empowering leaders and professionals across industries, offering tailored programs to improve corporate communication strategies. They are passionate about supporting growth through skill development and creating positive impacts for both their clients and the broader community. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: What sets Talent Academy apart is their commitment to a collaborative, team-based approach to communication. While competitors often work as solo coaches, they offer a collective of experts who specialize in different aspects of communication. This allows them to provide a comprehensive service that addresses various needs, from public speaking and pitching to crisis communication and leadership development. Additionally, they stand out as the only public speaking trainers in South Australia who use Yoodli, an AI-powered speaking tool. This tool provides real-time analytics and chatbot support to help their clients continuously improve their presentation skills. This innovative use of technology enhances the depth of their offerings, allowing them to deliver better, data-driven results for their clients. Challenges Faced During the Journey: Sanja Hendrick’s journey began as a solo female founder, which came with its own set of challenges. Overcoming self-doubt, resource limitations, and the fear of failure required resilience and perseverance. The biggest obstacle came when Talent Academy faced a 100% loss of income during COVID-19 due to the cancellation of events and a halt in speaking engagements. To overcome this, she had to pivot quickly, shifting their offerings to cater to online presentations and developing new programs that could be delivered virtually. This helped them weather the storm and, remarkably, bounce back stronger, doubling in size post-pandemic. They also faced the challenge of growing a business in a competitive landscape. She tackled this by focusing on collaboration rather than competition, growing the team through partnerships with direct competitors. This approach allowed them to expand into NSW, launch a second office, and work with international clients. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: To young women aspiring to be entrepreneurs or those already on their entrepreneurial journey: The best advice Sanja Hendrick can offer is to embrace collaboration over competition. Find mentors and build a network of support that can help you grow. Business can be tough, but by learning from others and offering value to your community, you will strengthen your position and create lasting impact. Additionally, never be afraid to pivot when things aren’t going as planned. Flexibility, resilience, and a strong belief in your vision are essential to overcoming obstacles. And most importantly, always give back—whether through charity, mentorship, or other avenues that support the community.

Name: Mponeng Seshea Business Name:  iEvolution Social Venture Studio Location:  cape town , South Africa Category:   Venture Studio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imizizi_evolution/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/imizizi-evolution/ Company Detail: IEvolution is an impact venture studio that supports the development of women and their businesses in hard to reach places and with a unique servicing offering for the real economy. The process is discovery and assessment of women ventures, developing and supporting through a program, practical hands on workshops and investment ready prep events. They craft new businesses and scale young ones through creativity, collaboration, and craftsmanship, immersing themselves in their teams to guide them towards financial independence and growth. They use the venture studio to break barriers and bridge gaps while resuscitating uBuntu. They go through an Involution process with the founders and projects, fostering creativity, teamwork, and excellence, engaging them deeply to build, resilient ventures that contribute to a more equitable and prosperous society. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Their mission is to shift the current poverty cycle to a prosperity cycle in Africa, and at its core, this requires a mindset shift. They reach the untapped and undeveloped businesses in the “hard to reach” areas and propel their growth while exposing them to more opportunities to take them further. They seek scalable businesses with a strong founding team, a commitment to solving real-world problems, and the potential to offer attractive returns. Challenges Faced During the Journey: iEvolution is a passion business born from the need they saw and encountered while growing Imzizi - a People Management Advisory company. The potholes and pitfalls of not knowing enough and the resulting fear of the unknown, not being connected and the resulting lack of access or opportunities is a journey they had to face. Economical factors like covid that can never be planned for taught them to pull the carpet from under their feet and be ready for the unexpected. Large corporates taking advantage of the fear of losing a client by requesting unfair terms, industry regulations that require them to relook at their operating model, people issues and the continued battle of work life balance and learning to have boundaries empathetically. What they wanted the most was to teach other women from their lessons learnt so they can avoid as much as possible some of the mistakes they made. Women entrepreneurs in South Africa, particularly those operating in the real economy and hard to reach areas face systematic and structural barriers that stifle their growth, limit their access to funding and prevent them from realizing their full economic potential. Despite being recognized as powerful economic drivers, women remain an untapped force due to deep rooted inequalities in investment, development opportunities and business support structures. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: It's a journey, both of the business and the self. As the business grows, it requires more from them and of them, because it is evolving. This requires a different version of them each time. They need to evolve with the business and beyond it. Be comfortable with not knowing and be a student for life. Growth mindset is what will get them through. They call it the ABCs of growth mindset - Always be Curious, because curiosity opens up to creative thinking and problem solving. Never forget their passion and their reason for having started, the reason for the conceptual idea and continue to evolve to be the person that brings that vision true. Running a business will require a lot out of them, remembering why they started is one of the fires that keep them going. There is a reason they started. That Idea was theirs to see it through. Do it. Do it scared, Do it unsure, but do it, Their way.

Name: Shruti S. Parekh Business Name:  SPConsulting Location:  New York, NY , USA Category:   Career Guidance and Services Provide Website: www.consultspc.co Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sp-consulting-solutions-llc Company Detail: SPConsulting helps executives make effective career transitions. The firm serves as strategic partners to its clients, delivering a premium, highly customized experience through executive coaching, career planning, and career transition. The services include brand development, job search strategies, strategic networking, interview preparation, offer evaluation, and salary negotiation. Resume/CV development, LinkedIn profile development, and job search optimization are also provided. The firm works with clients from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups across various industries and functions, including financial services, professional services, technology, CPG, advertising, sales, retail, and non-profit. With nearly a 100% success rate, clients have secured roles at organizations such as Google, Uber, Verily, Visa, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo. With a global footprint that continues to expand, SPConsulting has served clients in Mumbai, Dubai, London, Saigon, Singapore, Tokyo, New York, San Francisco, and Maui, among other major cities. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Career transitions often lack effective strategic planning. Unlike other firms that offer only cookie-cutter solutions, SP Consulting Solutions enables end-to-end career transition support, from brand and market positioning through offer negotiation. This is achieved by first uncovering and understanding client goals and leveraging these insights to develop their brand, job search assets, and marketing and search strategies. By staying up-to-date with the latest job market trends and hiring practices, the firm provides clients with the most relevant and effective guidance. Recognizing that job searching can be stressful, the firm strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment that helps clients feel at ease and gain the confidence to achieve their goals. Challenges Faced During the Journey: Starting the business was anything but easy. Shruti had zero funding, was battling cancer, was caretaking, and was juggling the weight of medical bills. With no foundation to start from, the odds were stacked against her. But she refused to let these obstacles define her path or deter her from pursuing her dream of building her own coaching firm. Instead, these challenges fueled her determination. She had to be strategic, resourceful, and relentless in her efforts to market herself and build her reputation. Without the cushion of financial backing, she relied entirely on the quality of her services to generate word-of-mouth referrals and establish credibility in the industry. She knew that if she was going to succeed, every client interaction had to be exceptional. Through perseverance, hard work, and a deep passion for what she does, she gained momentum. Slowly but surely, the business grew—one satisfied client at a time. Looking back, the challenges she faced only made her stronger and more committed to her mission of helping executives navigate their careers with confidence and clarity. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Keep going. No matter where they are in their business journey, there will be roadblocks and pain points at every stage. They will be tested—again and again. But in those moments, they have to believe in their goal, their mission, and the value they deliver. Resilience is the key to success. Challenges will arise, but perseverance is what will set them apart. Stay focused, stay committed, and trust that their hard work will pay off. The path may not always be easy, but their determination will lead them to success.

Name: Isha Taneja Business Name:   Complere Infosystem Location:  Mohali , India Category:   AI & Data Solutions Website: https://complereinfosystem.com/ Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isha-taneja18/ Company Detail: Complere Infosystem is a multinational technology support company that serves as the trusted technology partner for clients. Complere Infosystem is working with some of the most advanced and independent tech companies in the world. They provide solutions for AI & Data. They have the needs of the business & convert the raw data into actionable insights for business leaders. Expertise: Engineering Solutions Complere Infosystem’s data engineering services offer innovative solutions for a wide range of industries and projects. With a team of highly skilled and experienced engineers, Complere Infosystem provides comprehensive design, analysis, and consulting services to meet specific needs. Architecture Design & Implementation Complere Infosystem has expertise in architecture design and implementation for data-driven organizations. The team has experience in building robust and scalable infrastructures tailored to meet the unique needs of clients. Cloud Computing Complere Infosystem understands the importance of having a cloud computing solution that is reliable, secure, and scalable. The team provides customized cloud computing solutions that meet the specific needs of businesses. Business Process Automation Complere Infosystem recognizes that every business has unique requirements for process automation. That’s why it provides customized solutions tailored to meet the specifications of each client. Data Analytics Complere Infosystem believes that data can be used to make informed decisions and create new opportunities for businesses. Their data analytics solutions provide businesses with the tools and insights needed to make informed decisions. Custom Application Development Complere Infosystem specializes in providing custom application development services designed to meet the unique needs and requirements of businesses. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Complere Infosystem leverages the latest technology while minimizing infrastructure costs, delivering solutions that drive real business improvements. Challenges Faced During the Journey: Isha started the company right after college, and the journey was filled with challenges. She had to navigate the corporate world, learn how businesses operate, build and lead a strong team, establish efficient processes and systems, create a recognizable brand, and understand the significance of marketing. To overcome these obstacles, she invested heavily in learning and implementation. Continuous self-improvement and strategic decision-making have helped her scale the company to a team of 100 people today. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Start small, but don’t hold yourself back. Keep learning, keep implementing, and stay resilient. Every challenge or setback is an opportunity to grow—treat it as a lesson, not a failure. Believe in yourself and your vision, and success will follow.

Name: Neeti Macker Business Name:  Mac Coatings Pvt ltd. ( Brand name Vasarte-previously called The Homemakers) Location:  Gurgaon, Haryana , India Category:   Residential Modular Furniture Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neetii-maacker/ Company Detail: The Homemakers began as a sole proprietorship firm in December 1998, driven by Neeti Macker's simple intent: to create functional, hygienic, and aesthetically beautiful spaces where women tirelessly prepare delicious meals for their loved ones. What started as an intent soon became her vision and her reason to wake up each morning, excited to get to work. She has been fortunate to witness a significant shift in people's mindsets—moving from investing just enough to create basic, dimly lit kitchens to designing spaces where families now gather, creating memories over coffee and conversations. This journey has been immensely rewarding and gratifying. They have come a long way—from a sole proprietorship to a private limited company, delivering over 20,000 products and working on projects across India and beyond. Today, they don’t just specialize in modular kitchens but also in wardrobes and more. Being recognized by YourStory as the woman who brought modular kitchens to Indian shores and receiving both national and international accolades has been truly humbling. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: She believes their greatest uniqueness lies in their authenticity and genuine commitment to providing solutions rather than merely selling a product. As an artisanal design advisory firm, they ensure that every solution is crafted with their clients' lifestyles and budgets in mind, rather than simply offering what they create. Their second key differentiator is their 26 years of rich, hands-on experience, coupled with impeccable after-sales service. The fact that they have never relied on promotional or marketing activities, yet continue to work on projects across borders, is a true testament to the value they bring to people's lives. Challenges Faced During the Journey: She comes from a family of celebrated educationists, and her challenge began at home when she left a financial advisory job to embark on her own entrepreneurial journey. The learning curve was steep, especially since this industry was virtually nonexistent 26 years ago. She travelled and read a lot to become technically sound. Setting up her own plant was also not easy as availability of skilled labour and technicians was a challenge. Educating people and shifting their mindset was also an uphill battle. At the time, many had apprehensions—whether it was setting aside a budget or planning for a space they had never previously considered worth their time or money. Being young and new to the business world, she often found that clients didn’t take her word seriously at first. However, once they engaged in detailed discussions with her, their perception changed as they recognized her in-depth understanding of the industry. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Don't let peoples opinions define you. Go for what you truly believe in and then leave no stone unturned. success doesn't come easy to anyone and whether we like it or not, we as women always need to walk the tight rope, balancing home and work. so rather be prepared and learn how to juggle well, but do not give up on your dreams.

Name:   Lori Jones Business Name:  Black•ology Coffee Company Location:  Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Category:   Specialty Coffee & Teas Excellence Website:   www.blackology.coffee LinkedIn:   Lori Jones – Black•ology Coffee Company Detail: What started as a small, pandemic-born idea has grown into an internationally recognized coffee brand. Lori's ability to scale Black•ology Coffee Company globally through digital innovation has made waves in the coffee industry. Today, Black•ology reaches customers and students in over a dozen countries through its e-commerce store, digital courses, coaching programs, and virtual coffee events. Her name and brand have appeared in online publications, international award features, and top search results for Black woman-owned coffee brands—solidifying her reputation as a thought leader in the global coffee space. Her story, teachings, and coffee culture education have transcended borders, creating a global footprint without a physical storefront—proof that legacy brands can be built through the power of story, strategy, and digital excellence. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Premium, Low-Acidity Coffee : Carefully selected and roasted for smooth, bold flavor without the harshness. Luxury Minimalist Aesthetic : Clean, modern branding that speaks to sophistication and intentionality. Global Coffee Education & Consulting : Courses, masterclasses, and mentorship for coffee lovers and entrepreneurs worldwide. Black Woman-Owned & Mission-Driven : A brand rooted in cultural representation, purpose, and philanthropy—supporting nonprofits and underserved communities. Signature Blends with Global Flair : Unique recipes inspired by international coffee traditions and flavors. Black•ology isn’t just a brand—it’s a global invitation to experience coffee with purpose, power, and passion. Challenges Faced During the Journey: Black•ology Coffee Company was built on faith and grit. After being laid off during the pandemic, Lori turned a personal setback into an entrepreneurial breakthrough with little capital and no formal blueprint—just vision, resilience, and a deep love for coffee. Key challenges faced: Bootstrapping From Scratch : Launching and branding the business during a global crisis with minimal resources. Juggling Multiple Roles : Balancing solopreneurship, motherhood, speaking, studying, and coaching. Carving Out Space in a Saturated Market : Breaking into the coffee industry as a Black woman required intentional differentiation through luxury branding and storytelling. Scaling Through Smart Systems : Growing sustainably by leveraging drop-shipping, digital products, and an international e-learning model. Her journey proves that clarity, consistency, and calling can transform a dream into a legacy. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Own Your Confidence : Build your own table. Speak up, trust yourself, and know your worth. Start Where You Are : Use what you have. Refine along the way. Be Consistent & Disciplined : Discipline builds legacy. Keep showing up. Learn, Pivot, Grow : Stay curious, adapt when needed, and never stop learning. Align Business with Life : Design a brand to support joy, peace, and purpose. Charge What You’re Worth : Price based on value, not fear. Luxury doesn’t explain. Stay Spiritually Grounded : Let God (or the universe) guide. Purpose over profit. Build Meaningful Connections : A network builds a brand. Collaborate and connect. Create Wealth, Not Just Income : Think long-term. Build streams. Own freedom. Just Start & Keep Going : Imperfect action beats inaction. The world needs what only you can offer.

Name: Geeta Chauhan Business Name:  HiWiPay Location:  Mumbai , India Category:   FinTech Innovation – Education Website: https://hiwipay.com/ Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geetachauhan31/ Company Detail: HiWiPay  is dedicated to making international education more accessible by providing a student-centric portal and mobile app that streamline overseas money transfers for educational purposes. Its platform ensures a seamless, secure, and cost-effective way for students to transfer funds globally, eliminating the hassles of excessive paperwork, high FX rates, and complex banking procedures. Beyond money transfers, HiWiPay  also acts as an aggregator of loan providers, including both banks and NBFCs, to help students secure the best possible education loan rates. By negotiating directly with multiple lenders on behalf of students, they leverage their partnerships to ensure the lowest interest rates, minimal processing fees, and faster loan approvals—without charging students any fees for their services. With HiWiPay , students can focus on their education while they take care of their financial needs—making international studies more affordable, accessible, and stress-free. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: The challenges in traditional money transfers were significant: the process was entirely physical, leaving customers with no choice to transact digitally. Customers had to complete KYC  multiple times, even when transferring funds to the same account. Long queues, tedious paperwork, and, most importantly, high FX rates made the experience frustrating and costly for retail customers. That’s where HiWiPay  comes in—solving all these problems. They’ve designed a seamless, DIY (Do It Yourself) process  that’s so simple that even those with minimal financial literacy can follow the steps with ease. Customers have the flexibility to transfer funds online or visit a branch, whichever suits them best. Since HiWiPay  secures wholesale FX rates from banks, they pass these benefits directly to students, ensuring they get the best possible exchange rates. Additionally, with locally stored KYC  details, customers no longer need to submit physical copies or re-upload documents repeatedly. With HiWiPay , international money transfers are now easier, faster, and more affordable than ever before. Challenges Faced During the Journey: She was born in a small town, Deoria, Uttar Pradesh , where educating a girl child was almost unheard of. But her parents defied societal norms, fighting against all odds to ensure she received not just an education, but the best education possible. Their resilience became the foundation of her journey. Starting her career, she entered a male-dominated industry , where 90% of her team  consisted of men. Fresh out of college, full of ambition and enthusiasm, she believed she could make a difference. But reality hit hard—despite her hard work, her voice remained unheard. Her bosses dismissed her, assuming she was just a young woman with little to contribute. After months of frustration, she made a tough decision—to leave and start fresh in a new organization. But this time, she refused to be overlooked. From day one, she made sure to speak her mind, stand her ground, and not let anyone overshadow her . It wasn’t easy. She didn’t get it right immediately, but with persistence, dedication, and unwavering commitment, she ensured that her contributions were indispensable. She made it a point to be there whenever her team needed her, proving her worth through action rather than words . Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: She burnt the midnight oil, and she still does. One of the greatest lessons she learned from her mentor was this: "You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room, but make sure you are the hardest-working one." That philosophy has guided her through every challenge, and it continues to drive her forward today.

Name: Kate Enters Business Name:  ArtCan Location:  London , United Kingdom ( UK) Category:   Arts & Culture Advocacy Website: www.artcan.org.uk Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artcanorg Company Detail: ArtCan is an international organisation that creates opportunities for artists through exhibitions and practice development, as well as peer-to-peer connections, professional recognition, and access to specialist knowledge and support. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: ArtCan’s artist-centred ethos means that its model does not involve charging commissions on sales, helping artists focus on developing a sustainable practice. It also provides a valuable community for artists, as being a practising artist can be quite a lonely existence. Challenges Faced During the Journey: ArtCan is a volunteer-led organisation with no formal funding. It has always relied on fundraising events to help execute its programme each year, but this also encourages more creativity in finding opportunities for artist members. However, this year, a moderate membership fee was introduced to help cover costs for all the great opportunities it aims to provide for artist members. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Finding a supportive network is essential; trying to do everything alone can be challenging. Having people behind, whether family or close friends, can make all the difference. Flexibility and adaptability are also crucial—being prepared to change plans when needed is key to success.

Name: Jess Koscher Business Name:  Write Connections | strategy + design Location:  Elkhart , USA Category:   Marketing & Strategic Consulting Website: makethewriteconnections.com Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/write-connections-strategy-design Company Detail: Write Connections is a strategy and design firm that works with businesses, municipalities, and nonprofits to fulfill their marketing and strategic consulting needs. The firm is unique in offering a full menu of marketing and graphic design services (web hosting/building, social media management, graphic design, promotional items, etc.) along with strategic services including executive coaching, GallupStrength coaching, strategic planning, DEI consulting, and customized training. . Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Write Connections is an all-female design team that focuses on building relationships and providing top-notch customer service. While many firms tout their customer service, this firm lives it. Clients not only retain its services but also continue to collaborate on advancing their organizational needs. Everything is created uniquely for each client—nothing is canned or dialed in. Challenges Faced During the Journey: The firm was established in October 2019, and by February 2020, the world shut down. It had to pivot and find new ways to serve and attract clients. Its dedication to relationship-building enabled it to grow even when other businesses were struggling. Without advertising or employing project/sales managers, the firm has expanded across the United States solely through its reputation and word of mouth. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Jess Koscher recommends staying fluid and open to learning—both in challenging times and during success. She emphasizes the importance of cultivating a strong network and continuously growing it. Being a good partner who leans in, contributes, and seeks advice is key. She also encourages taking the time to listen and engage with others, regardless of how successful one becomes.