In late September, I received an email from the Women’s Business Enterprise Council informing me Ridge Innovative is now certified woman owned business. This wonderful message was the culmination of 9 months of filings, follow-ups and interviews. The 9-month time period wasn’t lost on me as it feels like a new birth for my company. I felt proud and excited as well as the familiar rush of adrenaline & resolve as I realized the work is just beginning. Although Ridge Innovative was originally founded in 2016, gaining this certification makes tangible my claim of being a part of the DE&I movement.
It’s more important than ever as women owned businesses need support. A recent study conducted by Silicon Valley Bank showed that only one in four startups have a female founder. They also report, it’s harder for startups with one or more female founder to secure funding. Eighty-seven percent said it was “somewhat or extremely challenging.” A recent episode of my podcast, Culture of Innovation tells the story of one woman who has taken up the challenge and faced real bias.
I am keenly aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has further widened the disparity between women-owned businesses, particularly those owned by women of color. Numerous studies have shown women are bearing the brunt of this health crisis for their families and loved ones, reducing the time, energy and resources available to grow their own businesses.
So today, women-owned businesses need our support now more than ever and Ridge Innovative is no exception. It has long been my personal mission to bring awareness to the importance of closing the revenue and employment gap. Won’t you make a choice to support a women-owned business? That commitment will not only help to fuel economic growth and recovery, but also will empower women as leaders and bring about a more diverse, balanced and sustainable economy.
References:
https://ridgeinnovative.com/rise-huffman-innovation-with-heart-s1-ep-11/
https://ridgeinnovative.com/power-women-alliance-innovation-in-alliances-season-1-ep6/
“It has long been my personal mission to bring awareness to the importance of closing the revenue and employment gap.”