The Governor’s Commission on Women is organizing an annual initiative to support women entrepreneurs in the state.
Over the next two months, the Women-Owned Business Series, in partnership with the Beacon State Fund, will mark its return for 2022.
Texas has the third highest number of women-owned businesses, boasting nearly one million. In the year In 2020, Texas was ranked as the number one state for women-owned business in 2020 and had five of the 50 fastest-growing women-owned and operated companies.
Small businesses across the state can participate in two different opportunities: the annual pitch competition and a series of free webinars.
“The wealth of knowledge we are bringing together as a commission will empower and empower women across Texas,” said Amy Henderson, Vice Chair of the Governor’s Commission on Women. “There is something for all industries to participate in and gain something from the experience as well as enter the pitch. Opening up opportunities for young entrepreneurs through the Junior Pitch competition is something we are very proud of and it’s exciting to see who applies across all ages.”
Pitch competition
Women business leaders from each state have the opportunity to enter the pitch competition, and could win a $7,000 prize from the Beacon State Fund.
Judges are looking to identify creative ways in which entrepreneurs and business owners navigate problems and devise creative strategies as solutions.
Click here to fill out the application.
Click here for more information on requirements. The deadline is July 31 at 11:59 PM CT.
The commission, in partnership with Lemonade Day and the Beacon State Fund, is launching the first-ever Junior Pitch Competition to foster entrepreneurship among the state’s small business minds. The newly formed partnership with Lemonade Day aligns with the program’s mission to teach youth how to start, own and manage their own business: lemonade making.
The prize for the junior winners is $1,000.
Finalists from each region will be invited to present a live competition to the judges on the date below. Finalists will present immediately following the Women-Owned Business Series event.
Wednesday, August 31, 2022: East Texas
Wednesday, September 7, 2022: West Texas
Wednesday, September 14, 2022: North Texas
Wednesday, September 28, 2022: Central Texas
Thursday, October 6, 2022: South Texas
Business series
The Governor’s Commission on Women was established in 1967 to serve as a champion and resource for women in the state of Texas. It focuses on providing leadership in outreach, education, research and referral services. Specifically, the commission will focus on increasing opportunities for women-owned businesses in Texas.
This year, the commission will host a series of informative webinars for each Texas region with the goal of sharing information about resources for women-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs.
The first four events in the series will take place in a virtual format, while the fifth and final event will be completed in person. Each session focuses on a primary topic, as well as untapped or unknown resources for women-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“We want to reach out to as many women and business owners as we can to provide resources and tell them there is hope and help — and provide a great resource through our webinar series,” said Natalie Parker, chairwoman of the Governor’s Commission on Women. .
The webinars are free and cover the following topics for communities across the state:
- Wednesday, August 31, 2022: Legal and Accounting for Small Businesses (Virtual)
- Wednesday, September 7, 2022: Financial and Supply Chain Planning for Small Businesses (Virtual)
- Wednesday, September 14, 2022: Marketing Your Small Business (Virtual)
- Wednesday, September 21, 2022: Managing Burnout and Employee Retention for Small Businesses (Virtual)
- Thursday, October 6, 2022: In Person South Padre Island Governor’s Small Business Series – Celebrating Women-Owned Businesses
Click here to register for the webinars.
Parker said it’s important for small business owners to take advantage of the commission’s resources, especially since the pandemic and rising inflation pose additional challenges.
“I’m a fellow female entrepreneur. And I’ve always understood how powerful it is in terms of change, especially now, to own a business,” she says. “It’s never easy, but it’s time to come together. Be a community. We must come together because small businesses can only survive when the community supports their neighbors.
She encourages women entrepreneurs across Texas to find help through the new Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal, which launched in March 2021.
