Women-owned businesses are changing the landscape of the business world for the better—generating $1.3 trillion in revenues annually, up more than 58 percent over the past 15 years. In that spirit, the Women’s Fund of Central New York tested the waters of funding eight women entrepreneurs to grow their fledgling businesses. With the leadership of the WISE Women’s Business Center the program model of $9,000 ($1,000 for each woman and $1,000 for scholarships to conferences and classroom activity) was part of the annual Grants Committee of the Women’s Fund 2012 awards. The Committee felt it was a new way of increasing the “good” in our community by generating economic impact at the grass-roots level. 

Eight women worked hard to personally save $1,000. After they achieved that milestone, Cooperative Federal Credit Union matched savings with another $1,000. Then the third $1,000 from the Women’s Fund “Kick Start” program and administered through the Whitman School of Management’s Falcone Center kicked in with another $1,000! So these women will be starting their businesses with a strong $3,000. Congratulations! 

• Rashida E Shabazz, Rashida’s Transformation Center, Salon services 

• Lucy Marr, Tall Tails, Online retail store for those who use service animals 

• Kimberly Murch Huffman, K.M. Murch & Associates, Educational design and community organizing consultancy 

• Brenda Muhammad, Relatively Speaking, A genealogy-based investigation firm 

• Antonisha Trapps, Afica (Where Beauty’s Natural) salon, natural and multi-natural hair care 

• Bernadette Rella, Ma Ma Rella’s Fine Foods, Family recipes – Marinara Sauce, Riggie Sauce, Alfredo Sauce 

• Abigail Henson, LoFo, Gourmet chef and restaurant-- owner, locavore, fresh foods concept 

• Phyllis Ivey, Pilates with Phyllis, Fitness and skin care center 

We wish these new business women the best of everything and expect to hear of tremendous progress far into the future with this Women’s Fund investment!