A Wise Way to Empower Women

by Teresa Miller

When Teena Johnson, owner of Catered to You, first began thinking about starting a business, she realized she needed help. That's when she turned to the Women's Initiative for Self Employment.'

"I had been wanting to open my business for years. When I made the decision to do it, I felt empowered. But in the back of my mind I still wondered, can I do this? The business training I received and the positive energy from other women in the program influenced me to move forward."'

That was three years ago. Now Teena serves a loyal following of Catered to You customers (who Yelp about her tasty sandwiches) in her Downtown Oakland take-out restaurant.

The Women's Initiative for Self Employment is a nonprofit organization that provides business training and resources for women with diverse backgrounds from low-income households who have a dream of becoming business owners. Some speak Spanish as their first language. "Our hope is that every woman will know she has the power to build assets, to be safe, and to achieve prosperity," Karuna Jaggar, Executive Director of Women's Initiative East Bay, states.

Teena's story, along with one of the most well-known graduates of the Women's Initiative, Alison Bakarat of Bakesale Betty in Oakland, are samples from the 20,000 women whom The Women's Initiative has supported over its 20-plus year history. They do this by promoting their mission of helping women to overcome economic and social barriers through self-sufficiency.'

The Organization is nationally renowned as a leader in microenterprise and the recipient of many notable awards. In 2001, former First Lady Hillary Clinton presented the organization the Presidential Award for Excellence. In 2008, California's First Lady Maria Shriver honored the Women's Initiative's accomplishments by making them one of the first to receive funds and support from the WE Invest Program.

Even in a challenged economy, statistics have shown that women entrepreneurs are among the fastest growing groups of business owners. The Center for Women's Business Research estimates that eight million women-owned businesses in the U.S. which contribute $3 trillion annually to the US economy.'

The Women's Initiative continues to expand its vision to embrace more women and support the development of women-owned businesses. It recently grew from two sites to five sites and currently offers business-training classes in 14 locations around the Bay Area. "Our strategic plan includes national growth in the coming years, including immediate interest in New York and Chicago," notes Jaggar. The Women's Initiative expects to continue to be a forerunner in providing a platform for women to become entrepreneurs, so they can create viable and sustainable business communities that offer a wise way to empower us all.

To learn more about how you can be a part of the Women's Initiative mission, or if you have a dream of business ownership, visit them online at: www.womensinitiative.org.

Teresa Miller is a Certified Professional Empowerment Coach who works with clients and organizations to "inspire women for life." Visit her at www.t-empowerment-coaching.com