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Name: Liz Bentley Business Name: Liz Bentley Associates Location: New York , USA Establishment (Year): 2012 Category: Training & Coaching Profession/ Specialty: Leadership Development and Executive Coaching Website: www.lizbentley.com Social Media: LinkedIn Company Details Liz Bentley Associates is a training and coaching company that helps individuals, teams, and organizations achieve peak performance and cultivate a positive culture through leadership development programs and executive coaching. Their services include: Coaching: Individual, group, and team coaching Consulting: Pre-hire, CEO and Board consulting Seminars: DiSC, feedback, leadership + management, and women-focused topics Facilitations and Retreats: Facilitating workshops and team retreats Surveys: Leadership and company-wide surveys Coaching Assessments: 360 Feedback and DiSC assessments (Epic-Wiley Sapphire award recipient) Speaking Engagements: Keynotes, speaking series, and women-focused presentations Unique Selling Proposition Liz Bentley differentiates her coaching approach through three key areas of expertise: Human Behavior: With over 20,000 hours of coaching experience and extensive studies in psychology (including a BA from University of Virginia and graduate classes at Harvard), Liz has a deep understanding of human behavior, including current trends, personality patterns, subconscious programming, and the impact of early experiences on success. Business Acumen: Years of experience in corporate America have equipped Liz with a strong understanding of the business landscape, departmental interactions, and political dynamics. Sports Performance Model: Drawing on her experience as a 2-sport D1 athlete, Liz instills principles of teamwork, competition, practice, and skill development in her clients to help them achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Challenges Faced Building any successful venture requires overcoming challenges. For Liz, the biggest transition was leaving her stay-at-home mom role to launch her coaching business, especially with three young children and a relatively unknown industry. Nonetheless, she persevered, building her client base one by one. While facing setbacks and victories along the way, she never lost faith and credits her success to the support of her professional and personal network. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs Liz offers candid advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs: Expect Difficulty: Be prepared for challenges and setbacks. Grit and resilience are crucial for navigating inevitable obstacles. Be Decisive: Don't dwell on failures; learn, move on, and keep pushing forward. Embrace Versatility: While leveraging your strengths, be willing to learn and handle diverse tasks as an entrepreneur. Build a Strong Team: Surround yourself with talented and dedicated individuals who share your vision and values.

Name: Vanessa Li Business Name: BLOOM BY HER Location: Sydney , Australia Establishment (Year): 2021 Category: Advertising & Marketing Profession/ Specialty: Marketing (Social Media) Website: https://www.bloombyher.com/ Social Media: LinkedIn Company Detail: BLOOM BY HER is a talent agency that empowers creators of all colours, backgrounds, and experiences. Female-founded and female-run, they believe in reimagining the digital media landscape with diverse faces. One collaboration at a time, they connect brands with digital creators to produce beautiful and authentic content. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Here at BLOOM, the focus is on diversity, and the approach is creator-first. Stemming from the Founder's own experiences, Vanessa felt and noticed a strong lack of cultural diversity within the social media industry. Inspired to create a space and platform for content creators who look like her, Vanessa founded BLOOM. From the outset, their mission was to reimagine the social media landscape with diverse faces. BLOOM is now a place that brands come to collaborate with a diverse global portfolio of influencers and UGC creators. Challenges Faced During the Journey: As an Asian female founder, Vanessa faced challenges in establishing and positioning her business within an industry that did not have room for faces like hers. BLOOM was founded in Vanessa's third year of law school and in the midst of working two other jobs — as a young person, her age was at times seen as a weakness and a sign of inexperience even before she had the opportunity to speak. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: What women entrepreneurs tell themselves can either be their greatest weapon or their greatest weakness. This is a learning from Vanessa's years in business and law school that she continues to preach daily. No matter what point of the business journey one is in, limiting beliefs and 'what ifs' are the one main thing stopping entrepreneurs from building the business and life they dream of.

Name: Juliana VanLaanen & Samantha Alavi Business Name: 2MamaBees Location: Pompano Beach , USA Establishment (Year): 2019 Category: Manufacturing Profession/ Specialty: Manufacturing Website: www.2mamabees.com Social Media: LinkedIn Company Detail: Just two Mama Bees, they strive to juggle it all. Best friends since childhood, they are now proud mommies of eight children. The story began in their own backyards, handcrafting playhouses for families to enjoy.The design approach for all 2MamaBees products is undertaken with an unwavering commitment to every facet of play. Months are dedicated to perfecting every detail, driven by their mission to make playtime with parents readily accessible. The playhouses all stand almost 6 feet in height to ensure parents can comfortably join in the fun. It’s a reflection of their belief that play is best enjoyed together.What truly sets 2MamaBees apart is their commitment to quality craftsmanship. Products are proudly manufactured in America by skilled Amish artisans. Each piece is meticulously crafted, receiving the personal touch of multiple hands to ensure unmatched quality. They don’t just create toys; they construct heirloom pieces designed to be cherished and passed down through generations. Finding ways to involve sensory play, motor development, and environmental consciousness was also very important to them. That's why their stove handles click, their faucet knobs turn, their play food can be cut in half, and their window boxes can be used to plant real flowers or herbs. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: 2MamaBees is committed to three core brand promises: quality craftsmanship with a low carbon emission domestic manufacturing process, sustainably sourced lumber from managed forests, and a goal to always be giving more than they take. As mothers themselves, they have experienced the never-ending cycle of broken and poorly-made toys. The brand was created to withstand generations of family use while remaining aesthetically timeless. Being made in America was another top goal, with pieces that are hand-touched, non-toxic, and authentic to the founders' story. All 2MamaBees products are proudly manufactured by skilled second-generation Amish artisans in America. The brand takes great pride in working hand-in-hand with some of the most hardworking and talented craftsmen, overseeing the entire process from conception to completion. Challenges Faced During the Journey: 2MamaBees' story has its roots in their own backyards. Childhood best friends and mothers to five children at the time, they were searching for a way to generate extra income to support their families. Starting small, they operated an Etsy shop selling window boxes and porch bed swings. One day, in a spontaneous burst of creativity, they decided to give Samantha’s backyard playhouse a makeover to better complement her outdoor space. The transformation was so charming that they showcased it on their Etsy shop to see if anyone else shared their enthusiasm. This impulsive decision marked a pivotal turning point in their lives, with orders flooding in faster than they could have ever imagined. In a few short months, their small Etsy Shop outgrew the backyard and expanded into one warehouse, then two, before eventually blossoming into a full-fledged manufacturing venture. This marked the birth of their own brand of playhouses and children’s products under the name 2MamaBees, officially launching in October 2021. Their journey, from those initial backyard aspirations to a thriving brand, embodies the spirit of determination, creativity, and entrepreneurialism that defines 2MamaBees. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: As mothers of six daughters, they strive to always set an example of hard work, determination, and balance. Their advice would be to align the company mission early on and stay steadfast in that alignment, set the "whys" early on, and do not waiver. For them, the "why" will always be their children, and in setting that "why," they have created a company that embodies the core values they care about in their own households. Non-toxic, eco-friendly, and environmental consciousness are core goals they have as consumers, so being able to create a brand that they can not only be proud to purchase from but also to have the opportunity to build is truly a dream come true. They truly feel it is easy to be passionate about what they are doing when they can be proud of what they are creating.

Name: Maria Rodriguez Business Name: Care counseling center Location: Somerville , USA Establishment (Year): 2015 Category: Health & Wellness Profession/ Specialty: Doctor in mental health counseling Website: Carecounselingcenter.org Company Details Care Counseling Center, nestled in Somerville, NJ, stands as a testament to overcoming personal hardship and emerging with empathy and resilience. Founded upon the lived experiences of navigating the complexities of parental divorce,battling depression, and adjusting to life in a new country while facing bullying, sexism, and racism, the center possesses a deep understanding of the multifaceted nature of mental and emotional health. Their specialized counseling services cater to a range of concerns, including family dynamics, depression, cultural adjustment, and discrimination. Their approach is centered on compassion, fostered by firsthand understanding, and aims to provide individualized support that empowers clients to heal, grow, and thrive in the face of life's challenges. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage What truly sets Care Counseling Center apart is their profound empathy and understanding, cultivated through real-life experiences. The founder's personal journey through significant challenges like parental divorce, depression, migration, bullying, sexism, and racism imbues their approach with a unique depth of compassion and insight. This authenticity resonates deeply with individuals seeking a safe space that genuinely comprehends the intricacies of their struggles. Clients choose them for: Personalized Empathy: Their services transcend textbook knowledge, drawing upon the founder's lived experiences to create a relatable and deeply empathetic counseling environment. Culturally Sensitive Approach: Having personally navigated the challenges of migration and cultural adjustment, the center offers a nuanced understanding of these issues, making it a preferred choice for those facing similar situations. Comprehensive Support: They address a wide range of concerns, encompassing family dynamics, personal struggles, and societal challenges like racism and sexism, providing a holistic approach to mental wellness. Empowerment Focus: Their counseling goes beyond mere coping strategies, aiming to empower individuals to transform their challenges into strengths and lead fulfilling lives. Safe and Inclusive Environment: Care Counseling Center fosters a space where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued, facilitating healing and growth. This commitment stems from the shared personal experiences of the center's team, their professional expertise, and a dedication to comprehensive care, making it a unique and trusted choice for those seeking support and understanding on their journey toward mental wellness. Challenges Faced During the Journey: Establishing and growing Care Counseling Center wasn't without its hurdles: Stigma around Mental Health: Dispelling societal stigma associated with seeking mental health support proved challenging. Creating an environment where therapy is viewed as a sign of strength rather than weakness required persistent education and outreach efforts. Funding and Resources: Securing the necessary funding to begin and maintain high-quality services presented difficulties. Balancing financial sustainability with the desire to provide affordable care demanded strategic planning and efficient resource management. Building Trust: Establishing a reputation as a trustworthy and effective counseling center took time. It involved consistently delivering compassionate, professional, and effective care to gradually build a strong referral network and reputation. Personal Challenges: The founder's own experiences, while a driving force behind the center's empathetic approach, also meant confronting and processing personal traumas while maintaining the strength and presence needed to support others. Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity: Ensuring that the center's services were culturally sensitive and inclusive for individuals from diverse backgrounds required continuous learning, adaptation, and expanding the team with staff possessing varied experiences and expertise. Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the intricate landscape of healthcare regulations and maintaining compliance with all legal and ethical standards demanded diligence and flexibility. Adapting to Change: The rapidly evolving landscape of mental health, particularly with the emergence of teletherapy and digital tools, necessitated ongoing adaptability and technological integration without sacrificing the personal touch. Each obstacle was tackled with resilience, a steadfast commitment to the center's core mission, and an unwavering focus on the mental well-being of the clients, forming the foundation of the center's success and reputation. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Drawing from these experiences, here are some key pieces of advice for young women aspiring to be entrepreneurs or already on their entrepreneurial journey: Believe in Your Vision: Have faith in your unique perspective and the value you contribute. Your passion and conviction in your vision will not only motivate you but also inspire others to support your journey. Embrace Resilience: The entrepreneurial path is fraught with challenges. View failures as opportunities to learn and persist through obstacles with unwavering determination. Seek Mentors and Network: Cultivate relationships with mentors who can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights gleaned from their experiences. Networking can open doors to new opportunities, partnerships,and resources. Understand Your Market: Conduct thorough research into your target market. Understanding your customers' needs and preferences is crucial for creating products or services that truly resonate with them. Prioritize Financial Literacy: Gain a solid understanding of financial management. Knowing how to manage cash flow, secure funding, and maintain a budget is essential for the sustainability of your business. Balance Assertiveness and Empathy: Be confident and assertive in your decisions and negotiations, but also lead with empathy. A compassionate leadership style can foster a loyal, motivated, and productive team. Invest in Personal Growth: Continuously seek opportunities for learning and self-improvement. Staying updated with industry trends, enhancing your skills, and being open to feedback can significantly contribute to your success. Set Boundaries and Self-Care: Entrepreneurship can be all-consuming. Remember to set healthy boundaries and prioritize self-care to maintain your well-being and avoid burnout. Advocate for Inclusivity and Diversity: Champion inclusivity and diversity in your business practices.

Name: Amanda Cuadra Incer Business Name: Madre Consulting Location: Managua , Nicaragua Establishment (Year): 2016 Category: Advertising & Marketing Profession/ Specialty: Brand strategy Website: www.madre.consulting Social Media: LinkedIn Company Details Madre, a brand consultancy firm based in Nicaragua, Central America, focuses on nurturing brands with strategic creativity to help them enter new markets, communicate effectively, and achieve optimal positioning. Their approach involves strengthening a brand's foundation to streamline all communication efforts towards achieving business goals. They specialise in six core areas: Brand diagnosis Brand strategy & conceptualization Visual brand identity systems Communication guidelines Communication campaigns Unique Selling Proposition: Madre's unique approach blends rational and analytical processes with creative and innovative methodologies to identify a brand's "sweet spot." This sweet spot ensures brand authenticity while remaining relevant to the target audience and standing out from competitors. Everything they do is rooted in strategy, which then translates into creative ideas, referred to as "MADRE ideas" in Spanish. These ideas encapsulate what the brand does and why it's different and relevant, serving as the guiding light for visual identity, brand communication, and even business decisions. Challenges Faced: As the first brand consultancy firm in Nicaragua, Madre faced the challenge of educating clients about the importance of prioritising brand strategy, regardless of their stage in the brand journey. They demonstrated the potential missed by established brands focusing solely on superficial aspects. The initial years involved perfecting their processes and working with smaller budgets to build a portfolio showcasing their work. Just as things seemed promising, the country faced social and economic unrest, followed by the pandemic. These challenges forced Madre to adapt, requiring them to find new projects, focus on lead generation, and master remote networking. While challenging, this journey has led them to move from a 100% local portfolio to a 90% international clientele spanning the UK, US, Europe, and South and Central America. They often encounter scepticism regarding their understanding of local preferences and cultural nuances. However, they counter with their proven success in over 55 countries, highlighting the synergy created by combining their clients' industry and local expertise with their own brand strategy knowledge and unique outsider perspective. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Madre emphasises the importance of surrounding oneself with a talented team sharing your values and purpose. Having a trusted mentor and continuous learning through reading, listening, and following industry leaders are also crucial. They advocate for dedicating time to passion projects as a way to gain experience and build a portfolio. Finally, they believe in the power of self-belief and the importance of demonstrating it to others to gain their trust.

Name: Philippa Rickards Business Name: My Bookkeeping Buddy Location: Geelong Australia , Australia Establishment (Year): 1999 Category: Legal & Accounting Profession/ Specialty: Bookkeeper Website/Social Media: www.mybookkeepingbuddy.com.au Social Media: LinkedLn Company Details My Bookkeeping Buddy, a boutique full-service bookkeeping firm, stands out by prioritizing the success and well-being of small businesses. Founded with the mission to alleviate burdens and propel growth, the company tailors its services to meet each client's unique needs, offering a truly customized experience. Competitive Advantage My Bookkeeping Buddy differentiates itself through its commitment to individualization. Instead of offering pre-packaged solutions, the firm understands that every business operates differently and requires distinct bookkeeping approaches. This dedication to bespoke service fosters strong client relationships and ensures each business receives the specific support it needs to thrive. Journey Challenges The firm's journey has not been without its hurdles. Balancing personal health and life challenges with the demands of business growth presented an ongoing obstacle. However, the company navigated these difficulties through resilience and a steadfast commitment to its core values. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs For aspiring women entrepreneurs, My Bookkeeping Buddy offers a simple yet powerful message: believe in yourself and take the leap.

Name: Tanya Hilts Business Name: Cloud Business Services Location: Belleville, Ontario, Canada , Canada Establishment (Year): 2018 Category: Legal & Accounting Profession/ Specialty: Accounting Website: www.cloudbusinessservices.ca Social Media: LinkedIn Company Details: This firm specializes in cloud accounting, offering a range of consulting, advisory, and bookkeeping services. They have garnered recognition for their innovative approach and commitment to simplifying financial processes for clients. Their focus is firmly on client needs, eschewing technical jargon in favor of clear and understandable communication. They strive to be not just professional service providers, but also personable partners in their clients' financial journeys. Unique Selling Proposition: What sets this firm apart is their personalized, client-centric approach. They prioritize ensuring that clients, regardless of their financial background, understand their financial data by using accessible language. This educational approach empowers clients, transforming them from passive recipients of services into active participants in their financial well-being. Additionally, their early adoption of cutting-edge cloud accounting technology positions them at the forefront of innovation, offering efficient and up-to-date solutions. Their dedication to clarity, combined with their technological edge,makes their services uniquely appealing to those seeking both understanding and excellence in their financial management. Challenges Faced: Building a successful business while maintaining a work-life balance has presented significant challenges. Initial perceptions that a home-based business signified a casual hobby rather than a serious endeavor hindered gaining recognition and respect. Identifying the ideal client profile also required time and strategic adjustments. Educating potential clients about the value of professional bookkeeping services further added to the initial hurdles. Overcoming these obstacles has not only strengthened the business model but also deepened the firm's commitment to providing exceptional, personalized services to their clients. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: For young women embarking on the entrepreneurial journey, the firm's foremost advice is to acknowledge the unwavering dedication and resilience required. This path is not for the faint-hearted, but the rewards, both personally and professionally, are immense. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Secure the understanding and support of friends and family, as their buy-in is crucial. This support system becomes invaluable when navigating the inevitable ups and downs of building a business. Remember, your passion and perseverance are your greatest assets. With them, you can overcome obstacles and achieve your dreams.

Name: Megan Seagram Business Name: Seagram's Systems Audiovisual Location: Richmond, Virginia , USA Establishment (Year): 2014 Category: Art & Entertainment Profession/ Specialty: Event Audiovisual Production Website: www.seagramav.com Social Media: LinkedIn Company Detail: Seagram AV is an event production company specializing in turnkey live, hybrid, and virtual events. They work with corporate, education, nonprofit, and association planners and venue partners to ensure an excellent event for attendees and clients, and exist to take the stress of technology off the event planner so they can focus on running a successful event. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Seagram AV was started by the founders after working in the hotel industry for years and seeing the lack of dedicated service for event planners and their event technology. With their background in event planning and administration, moving into the audiovisual space gave them a unique advantage to become a planner's true event partner on all things AV. They work closely with planners to ensure they understand the key components of what they are bringing to their event and provide dedicated, turnkey service that is specific to their needs. Because they think like event planners, they're able to work closely with clients and even help them create their scripts and run of shows based on their knowledge of planning and show flows that work. Their most repeated (and loved!) praise has been "Seagram AV makes everything so easy! Clients know when they hire Seagrams, they don't have to think about AV; it will be great!". Challenges Faced During the Journey: In 2019, there was crazy financial growth, but also massive burnout for the founders running their business that had grown too quickly. They spent the end of 2019 planning to cut their business in half in 2020 because they were overwhelmed and overworked. As we all know, by the end of Q1 2020, the Global Pandemic had handled that for them. As their inboxes filled with cancellations in mid-March, they panicked for a few days, and then quickly pivoted to marketing virtual events and livestreaming. They had been livestreaming for a couple of years already for a handful of clients, so now they just had to market it to those who would have never gone that route if not for the current state of the world. Through the next two years, they spent hours and days teaching their clients how to put on successful virtual events while not adding to the Zoom Fatigue so many felt. 2020 ended up being their favorite year of business so far because they had more time to focus on what really mattered to them and actually provide excellent, dedicated service to each of their clients, which is why they started the business to begin with! 2021 was a bit more challenging because so many people kept trying to hold in-person events again, only to have them canceled by the latest variant, but by 2022, they had hit their new stride in business and are now able to confidently maintain their service level for all events and maintain financial stability in the company as well. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Women entrepreneurs are advised to find their community! The early years of entrepreneurship, especially as a young adult, are so hard, and if they don't have a community, it's so isolating. The founders are grateful they were able to find several communities of women in their city that were interested in similar things and all wanted to design a life they loved. They believe in collaboration over competition and have seen firsthand that if everyone works together instead of working against each other, they will all go further, faster. They no longer see people as their competition but as opportunities to learn new things. They are passionate about helping women succeed in growing their business, figuring out pricing that works for them, finding the right connections for things they need, and finding a community that uplifts them in the hard times, and they're grateful to the women who did and do the same for them.

Name: Jennifer Rider Business Name: Hera Associates Location: Fairfax , USA Establishment (Year): 2022 Category: Consulting Profession/ Specialty: Social Impact Business Consulting Website: www.hera-associates.com Social Media: LinkedIn Company Detail: Hera Associates is a global social impact consulting firm that elevates purpose-driven leaders and organizations to achieve positive and lasting change. They combine a private sector perspective with nonprofit and international development expertise to address complex social challenges with innovative and scalable solutions. Hera Associates builds organizational capacity - not dependence - by designing the strategy, structure, and process needed for long-term success. Their strategic planning, capacity building, operational execution, resource mobilization, and leadership development services advance effectiveness and build prosperity for businesses, stakeholders, and society. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Founded in 2022 by two former colleagues and now life-long friends, Hera Associates was created to be a consulting company unlike any other - one based on values, determination, idealism, and a passion to deliver real and transformative results for partners and the world. In tackling today's complex problems, Hera Associates develops unique and customized strategies for each client, creating collective net positive impact. With more than 50 collective years of nonprofit, business, international development/humanitarian, scalability, and sustainability success, their inspirational leadership, grounded in business management, provides collaborative advice and tools for net positive business success. Approach: Hera Associates draws on their expertise and a global network of experts across disciplines to create social good strategies that help organizations achieve goals. Their work is based on a client-centered approach that recognizes the organization's strengths and honors its experienced wisdom. They listen and work collaboratively to co-create lasting solutions for unique challenges. Why Hera: Built from passion, curiosity, and vision, Hera Associates believes that diverse communities thrive when everyone is engaged and socially responsible. They know that by working together, they can positively impact the world. What sets them apart: Industry expertise: From small start-ups to vast global organizations, they know what it takes to drive positive change; Minority and women-owned: Hera empowers women. When women are engaged at all levels, families and communities thrive. Their identity is their superpower. Lived/shared experience; Bilingual: English and Spanish Challenges Faced During the Journey: They had to learn how to transfer their skills and subject matter expertise to the marketplace to attract viable customers. They entered the government contracting space to fill gaps, improve efficiencies, and influence operational excellence and net positivity. To do this, they had to learn the complexity of government contracting - from various registration and certification processes, to business development, and networking through extensive bureaucracies. A major obstacle in this space is what is known as "past performance". Governments will only issue contracts to businesses with a proven track record securing and executing on government contracts. So - how do they get that experience when governments won't work with them until they have a proven track record? This is a huge barrier to entry! To overcome this obstacle, they found mentors to help them improve their capability statements, streamline their business development process, and they networked extensively to establish relationships with prime government contracts for whom they could subcontract and organizations with whom they could partner. It was a slow - and at times, very daunting - process, but they persevered. If they want to build a new way of doing business - if they want to build net positivity - if they want meaningful social change - then they must keep pushing forward. It has taken them a year to lay the foundation for long-term viability and they're excited to make it happen! Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Go for it! Do not let fear stop them. They all have an amazing ability to create excuses (most of which are based in real truth) - it's those who push through those excuses that succeed. It comes down to this: every single morning, they have two choices: they can continue to sleep with their dreams or they can wake up and chase them. They say chase them!

Name: Melissa Buch Business Name: Brandbuch Location: Zurich , Switzerland Establishment (Year): 2018 Category: Advertising & Marketing Profession/ Specialty: Corporate Communications Website: www.brandbuch.com Social Media: LinkedIn Company Detail: Brandbuch is a women-owned boutique agency that assists clients in placing purpose at the center of growth. They partner with Fortune 500 companies such as Apple, PepsiCo, Grupo Bimbo in corporate communications, culture, and employee engagement to communicate with proofs and authenticity, a concept they refer to as Storyproofing. The service offering varies depending on client challenges, guided by their overarching purpose of creating solutions that shape the envisioned future. Solutions take various forms, and here is an overview of their services: 1. Articulating purpose Defining what the client stands for and making it stand out. Brandbuch specializes in helping businesses transform with purpose. 2. Starting conversations Approaching corporate communications differently, they believe in the synergy of internal and external communications, working together to engage all audiences consistently. 3. Enhancing reputations Placing stories and proof at the center of the corporate brand, helping clients focus on the right areas and share purposeful actions to enhance their reputation. 4. Creating impact reports Sharing purposeful actions and achievements in a creative and engaging way, creating reports with an inspiring concept and narrative. 5. Helping colleagues volunteer Engaging employees and communities by creating corporate volunteering programs, aligning purpose, organization, and community. 6. Activating your culture Prioritizing culture to engage employees, redefining and reinventing workplace culture and community to empower talent, purpose, and growth. 7. Elevating DE&I Promoting and activating diversity, equity, and inclusion, working with DE&I teams to define strategy, report, and launch. 8. Amplifying ESGs Developing impact and sustainability strategy, identity, and reporting, making sustainability part of every conversation and working with sustainability and communications teams. 9. Building governance models Organizing and optimizing corporate communications efforts by breaking down silos, creating workflows, and systems for an overview of all communications. 10. Leading Storyproofing™ training Providing personalized training for communications teams and leaders, sharing knowledge and ideas globally to turn stories into action and prove their impact. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Their unique selling proposition lies in the thinker and doer approach. The company is capable of bringing deep strategic thinking and then putting it into action with a clear plan and pragmatic approach to change. As a remote agency with people scattered around the world, they bring a multicultural approach to every project, offering global overviews with local understanding. Additionally, they pride themselves on being agile partners to their clients, co-creating with them to embed themselves in the organization and ensure shared success. Challenges Faced During the Journey: Before the pandemic, it was not easy for the remote agency to convince big corporations to work with them. Despite being remote and multicultural, they had to persuade clients that they could provide the same level of service as traditional agencies. Another challenge was being a young female agency owner and CEO, an uncommon occurrence in the industry that could initially create doubts for some traditional clients. The introduction of a self-managed (teal) organization model focused on balance and people instead of titles posed another challenge. Creating a new culture prioritizing balance and mental health in agencies was not easy to "protect" initially. The company has always allowed people to take a day off and not work 100% to prioritize balance and mental health. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: The first piece of advice for women entrepreneurs is to say no. If they have a dream and a clear vision but are just starting, entrepreneurs often struggle to reject projects that don't align with their dream. Saying no is crucial to avoid being occupied with things that don't belong to the business and damaging the organization's image. Knowing what they don't want is deemed more important than knowing what they want.

Name: Lori Werner Business Name: Medical Marketing Whiz Location: Canton , USA Establishment (Year): 7 Category: Advertising & Marketing Profession/ Specialty: Marketing Website: www.medicalmarketingwhiz.com Social Media: LinkedIn Company Detail: Medical Marketing Whiz specializes in marketing exclusively tailored to private practice physicians in the fields of women's health, anti-aging medicine, and holistic health. With more than 20 years of experience working with doctors across the US and Canada, Medical Marketing Whiz knows how to attract ideal patients and generate revenue for practices. Their women-led team understands how patients think because they are the ideal patient. The primary mission is to ELEVATE EXCEPTIONAL DOCTORS, ensuring that a greater number of patients can discover the most suitable healthcare providers for their unique needs. The team firmly believes that the future of medicine lies in prevention and longevity, taking pride in guiding more patients toward the finest doctors and groundbreaking solutions in these areas. The expertise lies in harnessing the power of various marketing channels, including social media, email campaigns, webinars, events, podcasts, and local search engine optimization. They focus these strategies exclusively on promoting women's health, holistic health, and anti-aging medicine specialists, enabling them to reach a wider audience and make a more significant impact in their respective fields. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Medical Marketing Whiz stands out from other marketing agencies by specializing in women's health and functional medicine. Their unique approach involves taking the time to understand clients' specific needs and working closely with them to build their patient base. Through personalized strategies, they aim to position clients as the number one provider in their area. With a focus on specialized areas of healthcare, they are dedicated to helping clients achieve success and prominence in their field. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: The single best piece of advice Lori wants to share with women who are starting new businesses is to trust their gut. While seeking advice and guidance from others is valuable, women entrepreneurs should remember that no one knows their business or their customers better than they do. Intuition and instincts as entrepreneurs are powerful assets. Listening to them, having confidence in decisions, and staying true to the vision can lead to innovative ideas, bold decisions, and ultimately, the success of the business. Trusting the gut can be a guide to achieving success in entrepreneurship.

Name: Courtney M. Lukitsch Business Name: Gotham PR Location: New York City , USA Establishment (Year): 2002 Category: Art & Entertainment Profession/ Specialty: Art, Design, Architecture - Global Website: https://www.gothampr.com Social Media : LinkedIn Company Detail: The company provides expert consultancy for the best in business for the arts, design, and architecture, serving award-winning, creative clients in 30 countries worldwide. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Their unique selling proposition lies in strategic business building, creative partnerships, and high-profile marketing campaigns that drive both awareness and profitable results client-side. Challenges Faced During the Journey: Challenges included upheavals in the global economy and in New York specifically starting in 2002 after 9/11 - and most recently post-pandemic following 2020. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: For women entrepreneurs, cultivating both tenacity and resilience are key to building a business that lasts and creates significance in the world.