Profile: Women's Initiative for Self Employment (WI)

Women's Initiative for Self Employment (WI)

About Us Since 1988, Women's Initiative has been assisting high-potential low-income women who dream of business ownership. Through an intensive 20 session program — in English or Spanish — women are enabled to start, or expand their business.

Inspiring High-Potential, Low-Income Women Entrepreneurs
Women's Initiative is a not-for-profit agency. Our mission is to build the entrepreneurial capacity of women to overcome economic and social barriers and achieve self-sufficiency. Women's Initiative has proven that women create jobs for themselves and others, access the mainstream economy, and increase their economic self-sufficiency when they are given business planning and financing support.

By assisting women-owned businesses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area at our seven training sites, Women's Initiative directly contributes to the economic growth of communities. Our graduates have started and expanded over 1,600 businesses from photography studios to catering companies and mechanic shops. In 2006, 301 new jobs created by our graduates.

By targeting low-income women, focusing on the needs of traditionally underserved groups including minorities, immigrants, and welfare recipients, Women's Initiative brings new resources into local communities in a unique model. Over half of the Women's Initiative community participates in our classes offered in Spanish through our Alternativas para Latinas en Autosuficiencia (ALAS) program, which boasts culturally competent services and extensive networks that propel Latina entrepreneurs into business success.

Help for Women Juggling Business and Life

Women assess their businesses and entrepreneurial readiness through our comprehensive business management and personal development training. Women's Initiative believes in ongoing support — through SuccessLink graduates at all levels of business are connected with influential women in business, seminars and coaching. Scholarships and stipends for childcare and transportation are available for very low-income women to ensure that no one is turned away for lack of financial resources. Women's Initiative administers a revolving loan fund, disbursing loans ranging from $1000 to $25,000, and links women with asset building opportunities, including matched savings accounts called Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) where participants' have the potential to double their savings for capital investments.