The Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE) at Texas Woman’s University in Denton has awarded $5,000 each to ten female entrepreneurs through its StartHER Grant Program. This initiative, part of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership, aims to support and expand women-owned businesses across Texas.
The grant recipients were selected from a competitive pool of 252 applicants statewide, highlighting the substantial demand for resources to aid women in business. Tracy Irby, the director of CWE, expressed enthusiasm over the strong applicant turnout, reinforcing the CWE’s commitment to fostering business success and economic growth among women in Texas.
Recipients of the grant are expected to use the funds for various business needs, including technology upgrades, marketing initiatives, professional certifications, and specialized training. Eligibility for the grant requires that businesses be woman-owned, for-profit, less than five years old, and headquartered in Texas.
In addition to funding, awardees will join a specialized small business training program managed by the CWE. This program offers extensive guidance in business planning, strategic marketing, legal requirements, and financial management, with awardees required to engage in at least three hours of personalized advising with a small business advisor.
The CWE operates under the parent organization of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership at Texas Woman’s University. The institute is dedicated to equipping women for success in business and public service, providing essential skills for entrepreneurship and leadership roles.
The grants are part of the CWE’s ongoing efforts to empower women entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to thrive in the competitive business environment.
| Awardee | Business | City |
|---|---|---|
| Jessica Hernandez | JY Textiles Solutions | Garland |
| Pamela Baker | Core Four Productions, Corp | Corinth |
| Stephanie Winston | The Winston Homestead LLC | Alpine |
| Kathryn Graham | Central Provisions TX, LLC | Center Point |
| Tara Rhoades | The Sanity Plea LLC | Richardson |
| Sarah Olivarez | Dawn’s Harvest | San Antonio |
| Puja Patel | Clove Family Dental | Flower Mound |
| Demira Devoil | Devoil Logistics, LLC | Fort Worth |
| Lauren Dunlap | Copano Oyster Company, LLC | Austin |
| Cecile Wright | Neal and Nettie’s Grocery | Houston |