Ariat International’s Post

MJ BIZ was awesome. To share the stage with all black women operators was unforgettable. Operators take a different risk than most in the Cannabis industry. We leverage our finances, reputation, networks all to create a vision no one else can see. Black Women are less than 1% of licensed operators in the US. Even though we are rare this pic is to show you that it is POSSIBLE. Successful Social Equity Components (in my opinion): • We need funding and real funding. 10K grants just won’t do. • Continuous Support- Social equity businesses need ongoing resources after licensing to support them throughout their journey. Business operation support is needed so we can successfully compete against MSO pricing and this highly compliant rollercoaster industry. • Don’t forget about workforce development. *** #cannabis #cannabisbusiness #cannabisindustry #cannabiscommunity #cannabisculture #womenincannabis #womeninbusiness #ceo #entrepreneurship #diversity #diversityandinclusion #socialequity #womeninleadership #business #workforcedevelopment #entrepreneur

🌟 Rising Above Challenges: Black Women Entrepreneurs on the Move 🌟 In the world of entrepreneurship, Black women have been navigating hurdles for far too long. But the tide is turning, and it's a sight to behold! Today, thanks to groundbreaking resources like "Rich Girl Code" and powerful networks like "She's Got Her Own Network," Black women entrepreneurs are on the rise like never before. We're not just talking about branding and logos; we're talking about something much deeper — a movement of change, empowerment, and elevation for generations to come. The entrepreneurial journey has never been easy, but it's become more accessible than ever. We're equipping ourselves with the knowledge, tools, and the savvy to build sustainable businesses and lifestyles that not only benefit us but also uplift our communities. At "Rich Girl Code" and "She's Got Her Own Network," our mission is crystal clear: to empower, mentor, shape and elevate. We believe that by breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings, we pave the way for countless others to follow in our footsteps. We continue to celebrate the women in business who are trailblazing, making their mark, and transforming the face of business. Together, we are a force to be reckoned with, and there's no limit to what we can achieve! 🌟✨ www.richgirlcode.com #BlackWomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Empowerment #RichGirlCode #ShesGotHerOwnNetwork #SuccessStories #Trailblazers #ElevateYourLife

Being a mentor, advocate and supporter for Black owned businesses is a passion of mine. Black women are currently the fastest growing demographic of those who are starting businesses but receive the least amount of capital, support and resources. This needs to change and I plan to always be a part of the movement that changes the trajectory of getting us to a point where Black women are thriving, building and scaling their businesses without having to struggle first. Supporting Black women entrepreneurs means improving the economy, increasing wages for the underserved and creating millions of job opportunities with room for professional growth. #blackentrepreneurship #blackownedbusinesses #blackowned #blackwomeninbusiness #supportingblackownedbusinesses #advocacy #entrepreneurship

Listen up Did you know that Black women entrepreneurs are one of the fastest-growing segments of business owners in the United States? Here's the scoop: 1️. Rising Influence: Black women-owned firms grew 67% from 2007 to 2012, compared to 27% for all women, and 50% from 2014 to 2019, representing the highest growth rate of any female demographic during that time frame 2️. Economic Power: Black women entrepreneurs contribute significantly to the economy, generating over $56 billion in revenue annually. 3️. Barriers to Break: Despite their incredible potential, Black women entrepreneurs still face unique challenges, including limited access to funding and resources. This is where the CEO SOAR Tour comes in! We're thrilled to share our lessons and insights with you during the CEO SOAR Tour in Houston. If you'd like to join us and tap into this wealth of knowledge, simply click the link in our bio! But wait, there's a surprise in store! Can you guess what we'll be revealing during the tour? Stay tuned for the big announcement. Hint: It's something that will elevate your success even further! 😉 See you soon, Houston! #CEOSOARTour #HoustonBound #EntrepreneurialWisdom #Blackentrepreneur #BlackOwnedBusiness #Entrepreneur #BlackBusinessOwner #Business

I'm still thinking about A'Lelia Bundles’ book 'Self Made’ about the first self-made Black woman millionaire entrepreneur, Madam C.J. Walker.  I come from a long line of entrepreneurs. For the past 90 years, there has always been someone earning their living through full-time self-employment.  At one point, a group of women in my family owned and operated the largest poultry egg company in the Southeast. In yet another story, my 84-year-old granduncle, Lonnie, started Lonnie Harris Enterprises. Along with his brothers, he started out cutting grass, then doing landscaping, and subsequently flipping houses.  Then a critical incident changed his life and that of his brothers and ultimately mine. He was shadowing a developer working with a Black family that wanted to have a house built.  When Uncle Lonnie tells the story, his face grimaces with disgust when he says… ‘he talked to them so nasty.’ Once the developer left, Uncle Lonnie told the couple, “If you still want to build, I will have you in your home before the end of the year.” Mind you, Lonnie Harris had never built a house before.  Nonetheless, true to his word, he had the couple in their new home after gaining approval as the FIRST Black real estate developer in Nassau County, New York. I was deeply influenced and shaped by this.  Today, I'm seeing that same grit, determination, curiosity, humility, and multi-generational entrepreneurship all around me in Black women. ✅ Black women are the fasting growing segment of entrepreneurs.  ✅ Black women are abandoning, in droves, workplaces that diminish us while gaining from the value of our contributions. ✅ Hands down, Black women are well-positioned to use our collective power, expertise, and know-how to create pathways for economic mobility for ourselves, our families, and our communities. We’re following Madam C.J. Walker’s legacy in modern times. Being self-determined - whether as entrepreneurs or not - is becoming more necessary as this nation turns its back on Black women leaders. What could that look like for you? Tagging a few fellow entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial-minded Black woman changemakers: Mindelyn Anderson | Charmaine Mercer | Melissa DeShields (she/her) | Keesha Gaskins-Nathan | Aiko Bethea, Esq., PCC (she-her) | Linetta Gilbert | Tenesha Duncan | Dr. Karida L. Brown #RacialEquity #BlackEntrepreneur #BlackWomenLeadership #Entrepreneurship #Legacy

Want to see lasting #Diversity, #Equity and #Inclusion in your entrepreneurial community? Here are some ways to put your time, money, #Leadership and know-how to work on evening the playing field for minority-owned #businesses. https://lnkd.in/gityKx3a

Seeking your help and recommendations to support women business owners!

Why we can’t get complacent about supporting black women We increasingly share our investing thesis and approach, subscribing to the #openventure philosophy to transparently share our lessons learned, our wins and everything in between, as we build a Venture Fund creating fairer access to VC funding. Black women routinely face the highest barriers when it comes to running a business - facing prejudice, lack of support and dearth of capital. These systemic issues are as pernicious today as they have ever been; perhaps most starkly demonstrated by the recent news of litigation raised against Fearless Fund. At Ada Ventures we are in service to founders and always centre on our approach on whether we can be part of the change? “Bridging the Gap” became a workshop series - Bridging the Gap Part I in October 2022, followed by Bridging the Gap Part II in May 2023 - bringing together venture capital decision makers and black entrepreneurs, with the most recent focused on black women founders. We decided to focus on three key barriers identified above: Funding Models, Bias & Higher Expectations from Investors and Networks. Discussion centred around better supporting Black women to access funding, VC or otherwise, and tailoring specific funding models to them. We talked about the bias some investors might have and their lack of experience in supporting Black women entrepreneurs. But we also focused on flipping the conversation and focusing on the opportunity these entrepreneurs represent. And finally, we discussed the power of building a network at the early-stages of a business, and how we can better support women to make that happen. You can read more about why this work continues to be a focus for us, and the people and black women entrepreneurs we are grateful to: https://lnkd.in/et8VRavV

Supporting women owned/led companies by spending your money with them or serving on their boards can be a fabulous investment. Eight years ago, I took a leap and made my first angel investment in Goalsetter, a financial literacy app for kids started by entrepreneur Tanya Van Court. It was empowering. At The Quorum Initiative’s recent HOW Forum, Tanya spoke with Amy Ho, CPWA®, CFP®, Bank of America about her journey to entrepreneurship, from Nickelodeon executive to starting Goalsetter and how as a black woman, starting a business provided numerous challenges and opportunities. Tanya explained that in order to successfully pitch for investor money “you fish where the fish are.” She suggests: 💸Research and identify organizations that have previously funded women and/or women of color 💸Find like-minded people who work for companies or organizations that have supported women-owned ventures on LinkedIn. Connect and develop relationships and then request an introduction How have you supported women owned/led businesses? #professionalwomen #womenleaders #equity #leadership #executivesandmanagement Photo: Omar A.

I am deeply saddened by the recent appeals judge ruling against the Atlanta-based Program for Women Business Owners. This program has been a lifeline for many Black women, providing crucial support and opportunities to thrive in their entrepreneurial journeys. Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S., with over 2.7 million businesses owned by Black women, yet they receive less than 1% of venture capital funding. This setback is a stark reminder of the unique challenges Black women still face in the business world. Now, more than ever, we must stand together and support each other. Let’s lift each other up by: - Supporting Black women-owned businesses with our purchases and recommendations. - Urging policymakers to support programs specifically designed for Black women entrepreneurs. - Offering mentorship and guidance to those affected by this ruling. Together, we can build a more inclusive and supportive business environment. Let’s ensure no Black woman is left behind. 💪🏿❤️ #BlackWomenInBusiness #SupportBlackWomenEntrepreneurs #EqualOpportunities #DEI #StrongerTogether