WE Grow Graduates 9 Women Looking for Growth Opportunities

On Tuesday, September 25th, the Youngstown Business Incubator’s (YBI) Women in Entrepreneurship Program completed its first 4-week WE Grow class, held at the Youngstown Public Library.

WE Grow is designed for women entrepreneurs that are eager to take their business to the next level. Through the 4-week program, participants attend lectures and complete coursework pertaining to topics including marketing strategy and tactics, basic accounting and audience research. The program is open to women who have worked in business for at least two years. For this first cohort, the WE program graduated nine woman-owned enterprises, representing a number of industries from health and beauty, to food products, to fashion.

Carmella Williams, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Youngstown Business Incubator, said, “This is our first WE Grow class and we did this class completely differently. Instead of sending the women home with a strategic marketing plan outline we worked on the various sections in class. This allowed the women to ask questions specific to the plan so they can have a better understanding. The women that graduated from WE Grow are more prepared to present their company to new and existing clients, venture capitalist, bankers, and angel investors. I know that they will make an even greater impact in their perspective industries.”

This year’s WE Grow cohort was sponsored by Medical Mutual, in conjunction with the company’s commitment to local Ohio communities.

“Medical Mutual is proud to invest in emerging community leaders like those enrolled in this year’s WE Grow cohort,” said Ben Stoffer, Vice President of Sales, Medical Mutual. “The future growth and vibrancy of our communities starts with identifying outstanding leaders today, and we are thrilled to support an outstanding customer, the Youngstown Business Incubator, in this valuable program.”