Female entrepreneurs face a range of challenges, both unique to their gender and shared with their male counterparts, including:
Access to Funding
Even though women represent 49% of all startups and new ventures, yet only earn 3% of all venture capital funding. Similarly, people of color only earn 1.87% of all venture capital.
Gender Bias and Stereotypes
Women and people who identify as women, may encounter gender bias and stereotypes in the business world, which can impact how they are perceived by investors, customers, and other stakeholders. This bias can manifest in various forms, including assumptions about women’s leadership abilities, negotiation skills, and commitment to their businesses.
Work-Life Balance
Balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with family and personal responsibilities can be challenging for women, especially those with caregiving responsibilities. Partners are stepping up to sharing family childcare responsibilities, yet this is still a work in progress. The pressure to juggle multiple roles and commitments can lead to burnout and stress.
Networking and Mentorship Opportunities
Building professional networks and finding mentorship opportunities can be challenging for women, particularly in male-dominated industries. Women may face barriers accessing influential networks and may struggle to find mentors who can provide guidance and support.
Access to Resources and Support
Females, and those identifying as women, may have limited access to resources and support services, such as business incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneurship programs. This lack of support can hinder their ability to overcome challenges and grow their businesses.
Gender Pay Gap
Women entrepreneurs may face challenges related to the gender pay gap, including lower earnings and fewer financial resources to invest in their businesses. This disparity can impact their ability to hire employees, invest in marketing and growth initiatives, and achieve financial stability.
Our mission is to connect young female entrepreneurs with experienced entrepreneurs to expedite the learning process and avoid trial and error pitfalls. We create a safe space for female entrepreneurs and small business owners to support each other, learn about relevant topics, and find mentors that provide insights and experience to new entrepreneurs.
Goals
Connection
Women Entrepreneurs@Chapman provides you with a safe space to share your wins and challenges with other female founders. We connect and share our collective wisdom with each other. And, let’s face it, sometimes we just want to feel heard!
Mentorship Program
We provide mentors from seasoned entrepreneurs who have been in your shoes. Our mentorship program pairs you with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, accountability, and encouragement as you navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
Education
We host speakers to educate the group around topics you choose. Everything from funding opportunities, scaling, negotiation, communication skills, building confidence, marketing strategies, financial management, leadership development, and more.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with a diverse community of women entrepreneurs from various industries and backgrounds. Share insights, exchange ideas, and forge valuable partnerships that can propel your business forward.
Our program is open to students and community members.