WBENC Honors Women’s History Month by Encouraging America to Support Women Owned

Today kicks off Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the vital role women have played throughout American history, as well as the role we continue to play today. At WBENC, we have seen the incredible contributions women make to the economy and their communities every single day, and we’ve worked hard to expand opportunities for women business owners over the last 20 years. But there is still much work to do! That’s why we’re celebrating Women’s History Month with one clear theme: Support Women Owned.

According to the 2017 American Express State of Women Owned Businesses report, Women Owned businesses account for 39 percent of all firms in the U.S., but only 4.2 percent of business revenue. While we’ve experienced tremendous growth in many ways, we’re still far from reaching gender parity in the world of commerce. According to the American Express study:

“Since 1997, whether its numbers of firms, employment or revenue, the rate of growth of women-owned businesses has been phenomenal. However, if women-owned businesses’ share of employment (8%) and revenues (4.2%) were similar to their share of firms (39%), they can make a much greater impact on the economy.”

That’s why we want to build a broad consumer movement of support for Women Owned businesses. We want to continue to see growth in numbers of businesses, but more importantly, we want to see those businesses succeed and fuel our economy. Are you with us? Join our Support Women Owned campaign this month.

Here’s how:

FOLLOW WOMEN OWNED @BUYWOMENOWNED

• Follow @BuyWomenOwned on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for daily product and business features, Women Owned product round ups, interviews with amazing business owners, and more.

• In conjunction with International Women’s Day, we are launching a new and improved WomenOwnedLogo.com website, which includes a new blog series, Women Who Own It, featuring incredible women entrepreneurs.

SPREAD THE WORD #BUYWOMENOWNED

Let the world know you support Women Owned! We’ve created a few fun and easy ways to share with your family and friends:

• Change your Facebook profile photo using our I Support Women Owned photo frame.

• Share our fun Women Owned social media graphics. We’ve created a library of them here. Share away!

MAKE A COMMITMENT TO #BUYWOMENOWNED

No better time than Women’s History Month to make a commitment to #BuyWomenOwned. Check out the WomenOwnedLogo.com website for inspiration and product ideas in our expanding Women Owned directory. Look for the Women Owned Logo in stores when comparing products. Already know and frequent a Women Owned business? Write her a review or give a recommendation to a friend – that’s the best form of compliment for a business owner!

GIVE BACK

Women’s History Month is a time to recognize the women before us who paved the way, support our peers in business, and help the next generation of female pioneers. Consider mentoring, volunteering and/or donating to your favorite women’s empowerment related causes this month, to help those who may need a leg up and work to continue the momentum of progress for women in society.

We’re looking for a great month of supporting Women Owned businesses. Join us in honoring women’s contributions to society and business in the past – and helping them succeed well into the future.