Celebrating Women in Business
The Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is proud to support the growth of women-owned small businesses here in New York State, In fact, nearly 65% of the entrepreneurs we provide 1:1 assistance to are women.
Women make up about 51% of the population in the United States so when women succeed, we all succeed. New York is home to over 725,000 women-owned businesses who account for over $105 billion in annual sales (source: 2012 US Census data).
Successful entrepreneurs are usually inspired by other successful entrepreneurs. So, In recognition of National Women’s History Month, we wanted to celebrate a few recent women-owned business success stories.
Emellie O’Brien
Founded by Emelie O’Brien in 2013, Earth Angel works with production companies to reduce their carbon footprint by implementing waste reduction efforts and procuring sustainable products, helping to divert tons of waste from landfills, or “Make movies without making a mess. Pace SBDC helped Earth Angel’s founder map out and develop a business plan & financial projections, and start the MWBE certification. With the assistance of her business advisor, Earth Angel secured a $100,000 SmartLoan from Excelsior Growth Fund
Downtown Yarns is a woman-owned yarn store dedicated to keeping the craft of knitting alive and well among the members of the their local community. Pace SBDC worked with the new owner of the East Village’s Downtown Yarns to review the business’ cash flow and formalize accounting procedures, supporting her $30,000 GofundMe campaign and private loans to save five jobs and ensure the business’ continuity.
Movitzsa Simmons
Movitzsa Simmons, who found a lack of healthy frozen snacks in the marketplace, recognized the market niche and sought to produce nutritious fruit smoothie ice pops with a taste that kids and adults alike would love in an easy-to-go, mess-free tube. Smooth Pops won the Queens StartUP! Competition, providing Movitzsa with a $10,000 cash prize and enabling her to create two new jobs.
Rosa Garcia
Rosa Garcia has worked as a stylist and manager of a beauty salon and now runs the women owned Hair Studio on the Lower East Side. With the Pace SBDC’s assistance, Rosa was able to secure a $30,000 loan from LES People’s Federal Credit Union to supplement her own investment and has created three new jobs with an additional three more projected for later this summer.