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Associated Press
07-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
NAWBO CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF POWERING THE DREAMS OF WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS
The Next 50 Years Starts Today, on NAWBO's Birthday, With a Renewed Commitment WASHINGTON, July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks 50 years since the founding of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO®), a powerful voice and ecosystem of support that has fueled the dreams and growth of millions of women entrepreneurs across the U.S. Since its founding on July 7, 1975, NAWBO has been the only dues-based national organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries. It has served as a catalyst for change, a champion for equity and a steadfast source of connection, education, advocacy, recognition and opportunity. Read about 50 years of progress for women business owners here and more about the role NAWBO played here. 'For five decades, NAWBO has been there—advocating, elevating and empowering women business owners,' says NAWBO's CEO Jen Earle. 'We've helped shape the environment in which women entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses, and we're proud to continue that work today with more resources and support than ever before.' NAWBO's impact over the past 50 years includes: For more on this impact, check out NAWBO's historical timeline and 50th anniversary commemorative book now available on Amazon. As NAWBO celebrates this milestone year, it remains focused on the future: on expanding its reach, growing membership and ensuring that every woman business owner has the tools, visibility, voice and community she needs to thrive in this ever-evolving business landscape. 'Women business owners are resilient, innovative and unstoppable,' adds Earle. 'NAWBO's next 50 years starts now with a renewed commitment to ensuring they're never alone in their journey.' About NAWBO Founded in 1975, NAWBO is the unified voice of America's more than 14 million women-owned businesses representing the fastest growing segment of the economy. NAWBO is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries. NAWBO develops programs that help navigate women entrepreneurs through the various stages of their business growth. To learn more, please visit View original content: SOURCE National Association of Women Business Owners
Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
NAWBO® Installs Megan Patton to the 2025-2026 Board of Directors
Megan Patton will lead the NAWBO mission and represent the 14 million business owners nationwide as Chair of the National Board WASHINGTON, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) installed Megan Patton, co-owner and the Chief Strategy Officer of Beyond Strategy Partners, Inc. (BSP), as Chair of the 2025-2026 NAWBO Board of Directors. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the organization, which began when women business owners could not join Rotary Club or Chamber of Commerce organizations without their spouses. Today, NAWBO represents the more than 14 million women business owners across America. At the local level, NAWBO members serve as community-minded leaders and business professionals committed to creating positive change. Nationally, the organization advocates for women entrepreneurs, educating lawmakers about their challenges and proposing meaningful solutions. The NAWBO National Board guides this vital work. 'Serving as Chair during NAWBO's 50th anniversary is both an honor and a responsibility I take to heart,' said Megan Patton, NAWBO National Board Chair. 'As we celebrate five decades of progress, we are also laser-focused on the future—championing policies and partnerships that ensure women business owners can thrive for the next 50 years and beyond. It is my duty to represent our members and ensure that lawmakers are aware of the current realities facing women business owners and the support needed to help them continue on a stable and successful path.' Megan is a co-owner and the Chief Strategy Officer of BSP Inc., an international consulting firm focused on fueling sustainable growth and enhancing wealth for entrepreneurial-minded businesses. The firm works at the intersection of strategy, people, and finance, ensuring alignment with goals. Megan worked in a 'Big Four' consulting firm for many years and focused on business process reengineering, change management, and learning system development. Her clients ranged from large multinational companies to internal constituents. She also ran a small family consulting firm, ODA Strategy, for many years before the founding of Beyond Strategy Partners, Inc. Before her career in management consulting, Megan was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal. Megan received a Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College and an MBA in Strategy from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. Megan is an active NAWBO Northeast Ohio Chapter member and served as the Chapter President in 2015-2016. The 2025-2026 NAWBO Board of Directors includes Megan Patton — Chair; Dr. Janis Shinkawa — Immediate Past Chair; Thresette Briggs — Chair-Elect; Krista Martinez — Treasurer; Amber Wallace – Secretary; Liliana Bernal, Sandra Clitter, Sylvia Garrett, Leslie Hassler, Janet Kendall White, Victoria Stevenson, and Trisha Barita — Chair of the Chapter Leadership Council. NAWBO held the board installation on June 6, 2025, before the National Women's Business Conference held June 7-8, 2025, in Washington, D.C. About NAWBO Founded in 1975, NAWBO is the unified voice of America's 14 million women-owned businesses. NAWBO is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries. NAWBO develops programs that help navigate women entrepreneurs through the various stages of their business growth. To learn more, please visit View original content: SOURCE National Association of Women Business Owners
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Women business owners like us drive the economy. Here's how we keep growing.
Did you know that women business owners were unable to apply for a business loan at most traditional banks without a male cosigner—until 1988? It seems impossible that this prevalent lending practice existed only 37 years ago. But thanks to the Women's Business Ownership Act (HR 5050), which was championed by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), women can now secure the necessary capital to grow their businesses without the assistance of a man. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NAWBO was founded in 1975 by a group of women business owners who were unable to join many professional organizations that were, at the time, exclusively for men. One of NAWBO's founding members, Susan Hager, famously said, 'Get a seat at the table or build your own table, and make sure to include other women.' That tenet rings as true today as it did at NAWBO's founding. It also serves as the principle by which the organization advocates for the needs of women business owners. More: Metro Nashville evaluates its support for minority, women-owned businesses NAWBO represents all women business owners across geographies, industries, and sizes, and regardless of political affiliation. In fact, we encourage and support bipartisan legislation focused on building and strengthening a sustainable business economy. Women business owners contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, adding $3.3 trillion in 2024. According to the 2025 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses Report by Wells Fargo, closing the revenue gap between women and men-owned businesses could generate an additional $10.2 trillion in economic activity. The NAWBO Nashville chapter started in 1993 and is a powerful community of women entrepreneurs who share resources, collaborate and support one another in their business growth. We believe women business owners don't have to go it alone—they can tap into local and national networks to help them build their businesses, create jobs and contribute to the local economy. More: Black business owners organize to attract Nashville tourism dollars, attention This year, NAWBO will host its annual Women's Business Conference in Washington, D.C., June 5-8, 2025. The event will bring together thousands of women business owners to expand their network, attend educational sessions, and commemorate the organization's 50th Anniversary. The national conference also includes an Advocacy Day for members to meet with U.S. representatives and senators to share the issues most impacting women business owners, as well as the following calls to action: Congress must make access to technology and digital tools available on the federal level, and publicize them to help women business owners expand market share. Congress must continue to support specific programs such as the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) program, which has helped women enter the federal procurement system and scale their businesses. NAWBO believes Congress should look at ways to ensure small businesses can continue to thrive through the use of independent contractors. NAWBO urges Congress to consider legislation that can help small businesses offer employee benefits by increasing access to existing federal and state benefits portals. NAWBO hopes Congress can work toward a bipartisan solution that gives small businesses an option to access a paid leave system that works financially for themselves and their workforce. Congress needs to codify a definition of a microbusiness. Women entrepreneurs need community, support and a voice on The Hill to grow their businesses. We invite you to join us locally in Nashville and nationally in Washington, D.C. as we celebrate 50 years of collective progress. Danielle McGee Gibson is Advocacy Chair, NAWBO Nashville and the CEO of Black Business Boom. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Women entrepreneurs need support. NAWBO gives it | Opinion
Associated Press
11-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
THE COUNTDOWN TO NAWBO'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT IS ON!
The Strongest Voice and Supporter of U.S. Women Entrepreneurs Is Headed Back to DC—With Ashley Judd and Cynt Marshall as Keynotes—to Celebrate a Major Milestone WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest data shows that America's 14 million women entrepreneurs are a leading contributor to today's economy and have a strong outlook for the future. This optimism continues to fuel the National Association of Women Business Owners ' (NAWBO®) mission to propel women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide as it heads back to Washington, DC—where it was founded 50 years ago—to celebrate its milestone anniversary. NAWBO's 50th anniversary event will be held June 5-8, 2025 at DC's Omni Shoreham Hotel. It will bring together members and non-members—of all ages, sizes, stages and industries—as well as partners, supporters and international guests to celebrate 50 years of connections, education, leadership and bipartisan advocacy wins and set the stage for the future. The event includes Advocacy Day (June 5), Membership Meeting, Leader Onboarding & Afternoon Sessions (June 6) and the National Women's Business Conference & Awards Gala (June 7-8). NAWBO is thrilled to announce two remarkable keynote speakers who will be headlining this year's conference: Actress and Social Justice Humanitarian Ashley Judd knows what it's like to want to make the world a better place and to use her voice to help make small yet meaningful changes that amount to significant change over time. She'll share what's possible when you use your voice for good. Also, Entrepreneur, Former Dallas Mavericks CEO and Author Cynthia 'Cynt' Marshall will inspire with her visionary leadership and powerful story of achieving business results through inclusion and a relentless focus on people and operational excellence. Other well-known industry experts will speak on topics like: • Marketing to the next generation of buyers • Selling on the world's largest online retail platform • Unlocking financial capital for growth • Maximizing tax deductions to minimize stress • And much more! 'Once you come and meet NAWBO's members and partners and experience what a NAWBO national conference is like, you don't ever turn back,' says NAWBO National Board Chair Dr. Janis Shinkawa. 'Whether you are just starting your business, in the middle of it or thinking about your exit strategy, we have programming for every stage of every business.' Early Bird tickets (a $100 savings) are available to members and non-members through March 31st. Register to join us as an attendee, exhibitor and/or advertiser. For questions about event sponsorship, please reach out to [email protected]. About NAWBO Founded in 1975, NAWBO is the unified voice of America's more than 14 million women-owned businesses representing the fastest growing segment of the economy. NAWBO is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries. NAWBO develops programs that help navigate women entrepreneurs through the various stages of their business growth. To learn more, please visit
