Career Conversations is our response to the realization that people want to launch products but the barrier to entry for product-based businesses is higher than the service oriented agency model that black and brown communities usually explore as a transition to entrepreneurship. The US Census Bureau revealed a record-breaking 5.5M new businesses were started in 2023. And according to Wells Fargo, the number of women-owned businesses between 2019 and 2023 increased at nearly double the rate of those owned by men; and from 2022 to 2023, the rate of growth increased to 4.5 times. More than a decade ago, women-owned businesses were concentrated in just three industries. Now, half of all women-owned businesses (50%) are concentrated in these four industries:

• Other services (hair and nail salons, pet care, laundries, and dry cleaners)

• Professional, scientific, and technical services (legal, bookkeeping, and consulting)

• Admin, waste management, and remediation services (office admin, staffing, security)

• Healthcare and social assistance (child care and homecare, mental health, physicians)

We support women in building product-focused businesses where they can move away from trading time for money and experience the time and financial freedom that comes with creating a scalable productized business.

As you know WOC is growing and changing. We love connecting women through engaging dialogue and intimate events, like Career Conversation, to discuss all things beauty, fashion, retail and commerce as it relates to Women of Color.