Small Business Startup News
Organization For Women Entrepreneurs Welcomes St. Louis Chapter
Written by Jenna Weiner
Published: 3/29/2010
Women entrepreneurs in Missouri come together to join a national support network.
The group Women Entrepreneurs of America has officially inducted its St. Louis, Missouri chapter, according to a report from the St. Louis American.
Yolanda Lamar-Wilder, founder of the organization, traveled to Missouri for the induction and participated in the group's first networking event. The chapter will now meet once a month.
The mission of WEA is to support entrepreneurs - particularly women of color - as they strive to create successful businesses and give back to their communities.
When the group was founded in Cleveland in 2002, there were only six members. It's now grown to 665 members nationwide, with women in Detroit, Indianapolis, Atlanta and other cities joining to share business news.
For entrepreneurs, the network is a powerful tool. "WEA's member are all over, and it's such a wealth of knowledge," Rhonda McAlister, interim president of the St. Louis chapter, told the paper. "It's awesome to be part of that camaraderie."
Group members gather at a different venue each week to meet other business owners and network. The women also participate in community service to encourage growth in their neighborhoods.
USA Today reports that an estimated one-third of all small businesses are owned by women, and many are looking to grow their companies.
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