WOMEN OF COLOR ENTREPRENEURS

(WOCE)

Supporting Women of Color Entrepreneurs

Access to expertise and resources propels a business forward. Peer support builds a community for change. We weave these elements together to help our entrepreneurs succeed.

In these difficult times for many small businesses, WOCE is focused on helping our entrepreneurs keep their businesses going, and emerge stronger than before.

Our entrepreneurs overcome barriers.

Here is what we are doing to help them grow their businesses:

1-on-1 Support

Our entrepreneurs work with their mentor to review business goals, strategy, and implementation. We also provide 1-on-1 technical assistance with subject matter experts.

Programming

Our entrepreneurs gather to learn from experts in a variety of fields essential to business growth, including sales, marketing, finances, HR, and pitching to investors.

Peer Support

Entrepreneurs need peer support. Our entrepreneurs meet monthly to discuss business successes, challenges, and provide feedback and support to each other.

Network Access

Access to new networks opens the door to opportunity. We make introductions to potential customers, investors, and lenders.

Entrepreneurs enter WOCE with some revenue, having begun their business with the help of an early-stage entrepreneurship program. While in our program, they build their business to reach their goals, whether it’s becoming profitable, hiring staff or growing revenue, or qualifying for a bank loan.

Building a new business isn’t easy — it usually takes years — but WOCE is right there, each step of the way.

Meet Our Sixth Cohort

 

Cathy Waiswa
Love Balungi

Love Balungi is a natural beauty company creating a range of products that are gentle on sensitive skin.

Cvic Innocent
Frankenbuild Ventures

Frankenbuild Ventures, f(v), is a venture capital firm investing in companies building hardtech, dual-use technologies capable of functioning in extreme environments, including the unique & challenging demands facing space tech, ocean tech, information tech, mining tech, agritech, robotics, nanofabrication, semiconductors, human-machine interface tech, and more.

Elaine Chow
ChopValue Boston

ChopValue engineers recycled chopsticks into a high performance composite to manufacture carbon negative furniture solutions for your business or home.

Karleen Porcena
KPP Consulting

KPP Consulting provides expert guidance to craft powerful economic development strategies for nonprofits, municipalities, and small businesses.

Leslie Forde
Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs

Unique among Mom blogs, Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs is dedicated to helping you make space for self-care and growth. We provide Moms with products, research, and community to reclaim time from the never-done list for their wellbeing.

Liliana Martins
JBE Counseling

With Just Be Counseling, clients can expect a compassionate and personalized approach that addresses their unique needs, creating a safe space for open dialogue and personal growth. Together, we'll work towards improved well-being and a more fulfilling life.

Mabel De Mota
De Mota Cleans

DeMota Cleaning Services is a professional cleaning company that specializes in residential and commercial cleaning services.

Maria Storms
MVS Welding

We strive for an excellent reputation while providing high-quality construction in a manner that is safe, on-time, and within budget.

Rokeya Chowdury
Shanti Boston

At Shanti, be transported to a peaceful place. Find more than Indian cuisine, and indulge in a Bangladeshi style cooking known as Bhuna.

Shonté Davidson
Better Together Energy

BT2 Energy provides end to end consulting and turnkey energy installation services with a specific focus on transportation electrification.

Silpa Pande
Melt in Your Mouth

Melt in Your Mouth offers many choices including gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, egg less, and nut-free desserts.

Yvette Philip
Cultivated Accounting

Cultivated Accounting provides partnering with nonprofit organizations and small businesses and their leaders to provide the financial expertise and guidance essential for their long-term success.

 

Meet Our Fifth Cohort

 

Marissa Ferola
Nine Winters

Nine Winters is a bakery combining traditional Korean flavors and ingredients with American style pastries.

Paige Pasley
The Social Butterflies Events

The Social Butterflies Events is an event planning company, specializing in corporate celebrations and weddings. With over 6 years of experience, co-founders Paige Pasley and Valerie Francois have successfully orchestrated more than 200 events.

Valerie Francois
The Social Butterflies Events

The Social Butterflies seamlessly navigate the entire event process, from conceptualization to execution, ensuring ideas become reality within the specified timeframe and budget. Their full-service approach encompasses the development of creative concepts and themes, meticulous oversight of operations, day-of coordination, and the curation of decor aesthetics.

Pamela Aimee Leins
In the Cut Barbershop

In the Cut Barbershop is a family-owned barbershop with a mission to provide its community with top-notch service while staying true to the “old school” barbershop culture.

Sika Sedzro
Uncut Lab

Uncut Lab builds custom web and mobile applications, strategically bridging technological gaps in the economic development space to foster connectivity, inclusivity, and empowered communities.

Mishell Brookins Ekunsirinde
PLAY & OAK

At PLAY & OAK, discover the best kids wall art, kid's wall decor, nursery decor, and playroom decor to transform any space into a whimsical wonderland. From charming prints to vibrant wall decals, find unique designs that inspire creativity and joy in your child's room.

Nancy Daniel
Madhrasi

Madhrasi brews authentic South Indian chai, delivering warmth and flavor.

Laury Lucien
Cami Flower

Cami Flower is a socially conscious, heart-centered, social equity cannabis brand that mindfully crafts the finest pre-rolls, including cannagars, blunts, and joints.

Gabriela Follett
Artemisia & Acupuncture

Artemisia & Acupuncture offers East Asian Medicine-based healthcare with focus on radical healing and trauma-informed care.

Joyce Onyango
Informatix Health

Informatix Health connects quality healthcare providers with facilities at reasonable rates, bridging the employment gap.

Kalpana Kethineedi
Kay’s Curries

Kay’s Curries offers authentic Indian meal kits for easy, flavorful, and healthy cooking in 15-20 minutes. Just add water!

Hla Hla Win
360ed Tech

360ed pioneers accessible AR tools for K-12 digital learning, transforming ESL and science education globally. Their solutions support teachers, cater to low-cost devices, reshaping education with innovative technology.

Marie LaFontant
Lost Art Cultured Foods

Lost Art Cultured Foods produces traditional fermented vegetables that are naturally raw, probiotic, and gluten free.

 

We are grateful for the generosity of individual donors, whose gifts (both small and large) help sustain us.

If you are interested in making a tax-exempt donation to help support our work with women of color business owners and on the larger issues of gender and racial inequity, please use the link below.

WOCE has helped me focus on my business goals and on executing my plan to grow my business. The support I've gotten from the other women in the program and my mentor and the training has been hugely helpful. I'm a big fan!

— Nikia Londy, CEO, Intriguing Hair