Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs During Women’s History Month

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Women Entrepreneurs in Ohio: How YBI’s MBAC Program Empowers Female Business Owners

As Women’s History Month 2025 comes to a close, the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) celebrates the extraordinary impact of women entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio. It highlights how our Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) provides critical support for women-owned businesses in our region.

As Women’s History Month 2025 comes to a close, the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) celebrates the extraordinary impact of women entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio. It highlights how our Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) provides critical support for women entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio.

The Growing Impact of Women Entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio

Women entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio continue transforming the entrepreneurial landscape across Ohio and nationwide. Recent data shows that women-owned businesses generate over $1.8 trillion in revenue annually in the United States, with Ohio ranking among the top 15 states for growth in women’s entrepreneurship. Despite this impressive economic contribution, women entrepreneurs still navigate unique challenges in accessing capital, securing contracts, and scaling their businesses.

In Youngstown and throughout the Mahoning Valley, women entrepreneurs are launching innovative startups, creating local jobs, and developing solutions to pressing community challenges. Their resilience and creativity aren’t just building individual businesses—they’re strengthening our regional economy and inspiring future entrepreneurs.

How YBI’s MBAC Program Supports Women Entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio

The Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) at Youngstown Business Incubator offers specialized resources designed to address the specific needs of women entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio. Our comprehensive support system helps women entrepreneurs start, sustain, and scale successful enterprises.

Key MBAC Services for Women Entrepreneurs in Ohio:

  • Free Business Counseling: One-on-one sessions with certified business advisors who understand the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face in the Ohio market
  • Women-Owned Business Certification: Step-by-step assistance in obtaining Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certifications that open doors to government and corporate contracts
  • Capital Access Planning: Guidance navigating loans, grants, and investment opportunities specifically available to women entrepreneurs in Ohio
  • Procurement Opportunities: Connections to government and corporate supplier diversity programs seeking women-owned vendors in Northeast Ohio
  • Business Development Workshops: Practical training on essential business skills, from financial management to digital marketing strategies

Success Stories: Women-Owned Businesses Thriving with MBAC Support

The Youngstown region showcases inspiring examples of women entrepreneurs who have leveraged MBAC resources to overcome challenges and achieve remarkable growth:

Hannah Ferguson, founder of DOPE Cider House & Winery, made history as Ohio’s first Black female professional brewer. With support from MBAC, she opened the first Black female-owned cidery in the state, offering handcrafted hard ciders, seltzers, and wines in a welcoming, community-centered space in Youngstown.

Eliza Kelley, owner of EMIT Training Consultants, draws on over 20 years of experience to offer training focused on equity, inclusion, and education. Since launching in 2019, her business has secured contracts with major public sector clients, partly thanks to MBAC’s assistance with certifications and growth strategies.

Gloris Griffin, owner of Gloris Griffin Counseling Services, provides culturally sensitive mental health care in Boardman, Ohio. Her agency offers tailored support for adults facing mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring challenges, with MBAC helping her business grow its reach and impact.

Katrina Simms, founder of Azanna Elise, uplifts the Youngstown community through motivational speaking, workshops, and youth programs. With guidance from MBAC, Katrina has expanded her programming and deepened her impact on local youth development.

Trina Williams, owner of A Fresh Wind Catering, operates a food truck and catering business specializing in gourmet egg rolls and fresh fare. MBAC support has helped her navigate the business landscape and grow her culinary presence in the region.

Building a Stronger Ecosystem for Women Entrepreneurs in Ohio

While we highlight these achievements during Women’s History Month, YBI’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio extends throughout the year. Through our MBAC program, we’re working to address persistent challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Ohio:

  • Closing funding gaps (women founders nationwide received just 2.1% of venture capital in 2023)
  • Expanding access to government contracts through certification assistance
  • Connecting women entrepreneurs with mentors who understand their unique journeys
  • Creating networking opportunities that build stronger business relationships in the Youngstown area

Get Free Business Support from YBI’s MBAC Program

As Women’s History Month 2025 concludes, join us in strengthening opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio:

  • Refer women business owners to YBI’s MBAC program for free business support services
  • Choose women-owned suppliers and vendors for your business needs in the Mahoning Valley
  • Mentor aspiring women entrepreneurs through YBI’s community programs
  • Share procurement opportunities with certified women-owned businesses in your network
  • Advocate for policies that support women entrepreneurs in Ohio

Together, we can build a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem that unlocks the full potential of all business owners in our community.

The Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) houses the Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) of Youngstown, providing specialized support for minority and women-owned businesses throughout Northeast Ohio. Contact us today at [email protected] to learn how our free services can help your business grow.