SmartGirls Way Launches 100x100 Project

Social venture shines light on the success and scale of women entrepreneurs

Seattle, WA –SmartGirls Way today announced the launch of the 100x100 Project, a first of its kind social media event created to shine a light on the breadth and impact of women entrepreneurs on the future of the economy. The 100x100 Project is the company’s first initiative targeted to help women entrepreneurs create significant economic breakthroughs for themselves and their communities by accessing the critical knowledge, supportive networks, and capital they need to build successful businesses. Beginning today and every business day for the next 20 weeks, women entrepreneurs from over 40 industries across the United States will tell their start-up stories. These video profiles provide examples of how women--in all stages of business growth – leverage their SmartGirls’ strengths in business and share advice for other aspiring entrepreneurs.

Rather than focusing primarily on the barriers that women entrepreneurs face, SmartGirls Way founder Jean Brittingham sees the 100x100 Project as a critical shift towards a conversation that allows women to embrace the unique feminine strengths they bring to business as well as provide a platform for women to support other women. “The world needs women entrepreneurs. We believe a world with more women leaders in real positions of power will be a better world. And we believe entrepreneurship is the fastest, most direct and interesting path to that leadership position,” says Brittingham. “The next economy will look different than what we have today because it will be led by women. The 100 women in this project are just the tip of a significant women’s entrepreneurial movement.”

Next economy businesses

Today, women in the United States own 30 percent of all businesses; yet these businesses represent only 4-5 percent of the top-line revenue of privately held businesses. Women have access to less than percent of all venture capital and are constantly seeking mentors and support groups to help them start and grow new businesses. The SmartGirls’ Way mission is to achieve a parity of voice and influence by moving the 30 percent to 50 percent and increasing women-owned business’ share of contributed revenue from 4 percent to 50 percent.

The women profiled in the 100x100 Project vary in age from 18 to 88, representing diverse industries from fashion, technology, and new media, to food and beverage, transportation, and mining. All of the 100 women profiled are launching and leading businesses that have a positive impact on their lives, communities, and the world.

Each week, the SmartGirls Way website will showcase a different industry theme. Kicking off the event this week is the SmartGirls Way Focus on Fashion where innovative women like shoe designer, Ce Ce Chin, (80%20 Shoes) and style consultant Margaret Spencer (Holobi) are leaving their mark on the primarily male-dominated, 21 billion dollar fashion industry. Focus on Fashion will also highlight up-and-coming entrepreneurs, like mission-led Heatherjean MacNeil (Proxy Apparel)–sourcing sweat shop-free designs for retailers, and Sarah McIlroy (FashionPlaytes)--giving young girls the power to create and wear their own custom designs.

Nina McLemore is also one of the 100x100 Project women featured in the Fashion category. Before starting her own brand of women’s career clothing, she was a venture capitalist and the founder of Liz Claiborne Accessories (part of the $3 Billion Liz Claiborne brand). McLemore says that while there have been many women pioneers leading top fashion brands from Eileen Fisher to Juicy Couture, they still only represent a fraction of the total wealth of the women’s fashion industry: “Women best understand how women live and what women want to wear. We need to see more women taking ownership of the financial and operational aspects of these brands and we need to find ways to support them. Projects like the 100x100 that champion the hard work, creativity and success of women in our industry will go a long way in supporting these and future designers in their success,” says McLemore.

Meet the 100

Other women and industries featured over the next 100 days include: healthcare advocate, Michelle King Robson (EmpowHER.com) and echo-heroes Gina Locklear (Zkano) and Janice Shade (TrueBody Products). Women like Amra Tareen (Allvoices), Jennifer Sargent (HitFix), and Dina Kaplin (Blip.tv) are transforming the new media space; while food and beverage innovators Lauren McCollough and Caroline Freedman (NurtureMe), Sheryl O’Loughlin (Nest Collective), Barbara Lynch (Boston restaurateur) and Kim Jordan (New Belgian Brewery) are transforming their communities. Franchise moguls Heidi Ganahl (Camp Bow Wow), Stephanie Allen (Dream Dinners) and Judi Missett (Jazzercise) are among a group of women leading thriving businesses. The inaugural 100 also include artists like filmmaker Sue Corcoran (Von Piglet Productions) and published authors and financial advisors like Sharon Lechter (Pay Your Family First).

To join, view and follow 100x100 Project videos go to: www.smartgirlsway.com. Engage and support SmartGirls Way entrepreneurs on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.

###

For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Download SmartGirls Way Company Backgrounder>>

Download SmartGirls Way Launch Press Release >>

Download SmartGirls Way 100x100 Project Fact Sheet >>

Share This