January 2021
A Year in Review
2020 Turned out to be a busy year for TWU-Center for Women Entrepreneurs.

No one expected 2020 to be the host of a national pandemic that would cause distress worldwide and causing an overall shutdown. Businesses, especially small businesses were hit the hardest. 

A study by CBIZ, found that small- and mid-sized businesses in the U.S. have demonstrated a disproportionate impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 43% surveyed reporting a significant to severe impact.
As with every other business – the Center for Women Entrepreneurs had to change the way it offered services and had to do it quickly. One of the first changes was moving our monthly WomenRISE breakfast and speaker event to a virtual platform. This change allowed us to reach more women across Texas to these events and even attracted viewers from Scotland and England.

As mandatory shut-downs started happening in Texas, the CWE realized the losses that women-owned businesses would be feeling, especially in households where these women were the main or only breadwinner. The center implemented the $1,000,000 AssistHER grant to give women business owners $10,000 to help maintain their business. The demand was incredible and over 5,000 women applied for the 100 grants that would be given.

In partnership with Stoke Denton, the CWE created the AccelerateHER incubator program which is designed to help early-stage companies develop and test their ideas and grow their businesses with a hands-on focus by the program manager, mentors, and partner networks. This incubator program is equipping the participating entrepreneurs with tools, education, coach, and mentorship that will enable them to successfully develop their products or services, take them to market, and secure funding or investment where needed.

The StartHER grant program, part of an ongoing effort to boost women-owned businesses, kicked off in September and received 156 applications. 10 winners were announced in October and each was awarded 5,000 for their business. Awardees are required to complete a small business training course hosted by the CWE to receive funding. The course covers topics such as business plan development, marketing, legal, insurance, accounting, and financing and was open to everyone

In addition,

✨215 women received Small Business Advising                                                                                                                        
✨26 Professional Development Events were presented                                                                                                                    
✨The Society of Student Entrepreneurs was developed

✨20 new entrepreneurial scholarships were awarded to students    
                                                                                      
✨Several faculty research projects about women in the workplace were
initiated

We expect to keep the momentum growing in 2021 with a new grant program, expanded business development programs including evening and weekend workshops for those kicking off a side-hustle or business while working full time. 
2020 Taxes-Updates, Challenges, and the Unknown

Who: Brian Silver, CPA is the owner of Silver Accounting Group LLC

When: Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 8:00-9:00 AM

Where: Virtual meeting

2020 was a difficult year for small businesses. How will the grants, loans, PPP, etc. you received to help your business in 2020 affect filing your taxes? Join us for our first WomenRISE of 2021.

In this workshop you will walk away with:

*Getting ready for your first business tax filings
*2020 Tax Challenges – Impacts of COVID relief and how to prepare for the unknown
*Lessons learned from helping hundreds of small business owners.

**Exciting News**

We know how important it is to network as an entrepreneur. And we know how much you’ve missed the opportunity to talk with other entrepreneurs. In 2021, we are going to provide you with the opportunity to network and connect virtually with others before our WomenRISE program starts.

How it will work:

✔️Grab your cup of coffee or hot tea
✔️Log-in to the event Zoom link @ 7:40 am.
✔️Get placed into a breakout room
✔️Network with others in the room until
approximately 7:55 am
✔️Join the main room @ 7:55 for the official program to start

**You must register to get the event link. If you are unable to attend the workshop live, you can still register and receive the replay link via email.**
WATCH ON DEMAND
December WomenRISE,

Watch a recording of our latest WomenRISE featuring Shirley Staten @AdviCoach.

It's not too late to set realistic and executable goals, specifically your financial ones, as a part of your strategic plan for 2021.

In this workshop, you will walk away with hands-on experience on how to break down your goals using the S.M.A.R.T. tool to make sure they are achievable.
Mark Your Calendar! Upcoming WomenRISE
2021 Dates

đź“… February 9th: Stages of Entrepreneurship with Dr. Dewaynna Horn

đź“… March 9th: Credit Talk with Kissena Sheets

đź“… TBD Quarterly Special Event
CWE Team
Tracy Irby
Director
Program Director
Senior Secretary
The Center for Women Entrepreneurs is part of TWU’s Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership. The JNIWL is dedicated to preparing women to take on successful roles in business and public service to ensure women have the education to establish careers as successful C-suite executives, the skills for building entrepreneurial businesses and the framework needed to run for public office.
940.898.2895 || twu.edu/cwe || cwe@twu.edu