On centre-stage: Some inspiring women entrepreneurs from Texas
#TexasWomenEntrepreneurs #LoneStarLeadership #EmpowerHerEconomy #WomenInBusinessTX #TexasTrailblazers
In the vast expanse of the Lone Star State, a remarkable revolution is unfolding – one led by the resilience and innovation of women entrepreneurs. According to Fit Small Business, Texas proudly wears the crown as the No. 1 state for women entrepreneurs, a testament to its desirability and unparalleled outlook. Governor Greg Abbott has championed this cause, aiming to make Texas the most welcoming haven for women in business, recognizing them as a powerful economic force.
The impact of women-owned businesses in Texas is colossal – with nearly a quarter of small employers being woman-owned, and an additional 16 percent co-owned by both men and women. As their numbers burgeon, these enterprises are poised to significantly influence not just local and state economies but also the national landscape. Recent U.S. Census business data reveals that women-owned employer firms contributed nearly $2 trillion in receipts nationwide in 2021, with Texas showcasing even higher shares of women-owned employers and their average annual revenue.
Despite setbacks during the COVID-19 economic crisis, the trajectory of women – owned businesses is on the rise again, marking a pivotal moment where Texas women are not just navigating challenges but rewriting the narrative of entrepreneurship, making waves that echo far beyond state borders.
Now, let us survey some enterprising women entrepreneurs from Texas.
> Nina Vaca, Founder & CEO, Pinnacle Group
Nina Vaca is a very enterprising businesswoman. In 1996, two years after graduating from Texas State University, she founded Pinnacle, an IT workforce solutions company. And then her trailblazing journey took off. She started Pinnacle with just $300, and in 2017, the company’s turnover topped $2.1 billion. In 2018, Pinnacle was named the No. 1 fastest growing women-owned/led business in the United States by Women Presidents’ Organization.
So, under her leadership, Pinnacle has thrived. Her tip for women entrepreneurs is that they should make sure they are surrounded by people who truly want to see you succeed. This is really powerful.
> Mandy Ginsberg, CEO, Match Group
Mandy Ginsberg, CEO of Match Group gives all credit to her family (especially her father, a first-generation immigrant) for instilling in her the desire required to thrive as a business woman. Today, Ginsberg helms the Match Group. Her passion is – equality for girls and women.
In 2018, the Match Group generated more than $1.7 billion in revenue. In the same year, she spearheaded an audit of the entire company to ensure equal pay across the board; and as a result of the audit, Match Group has achieved 100 % pay equity.
Additionally, Ginsberg instituted a system of pay raises without employees having to negotiate.
> Gail Warrior, President & CEO, Warrior Group
After working in corporate America for Mobil Oil, this native of Dallas – Gail Warrior noticed there weren’t any companies specializing in building permanent modular construction. So she built her own.
She started a construction-management business in a male-dominated industry in 1997. Since then, Warrior Group has grown into one of the largest woman-and minority-owned construction services companies in the United States.
After conquering the construction business, she evolved her empire. Then she moved on, pursuing her dreams of “showing others how to live a successful, healthy, happy lifestyle” through Warrior Elements and the Warrior360Way program.
In addition to her lifestyle brand, Warrior founded Heart of a Warrior Charitable Foundation (HOAW) – a public non-profit providing enrichment opportunities for underserved children in Dallas County. She also launched the Warrior Women’s Mentoring group. She really likes to support women and tries to hire other women for senior level positions in her company.
> Nicole Mossman, Founder & CEO, EverThread
After deciding to start her own company, Nicole Mossman checked out some of the many resources available to women entrepreneurs in Dallas-Fort Worth: education and mentorship. So, she graduated with a master’s degree in innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Texas at Dallas. There, she enrolled in the Startup Launch Track program; and, it was $25,000 grant from UTD that enabled her to launch EverThread.
She strongly felt that women who wanted to start their business (especially in technology) must have a clear vision for the organization, a great product, and people must take you seriously too.
> Rae Wilson, Founder, winemaker, sommelier
Rae Wilson is the founder, winemaker, and sommelier at Wine for the People, known for its popular Dandy Rose. Her focus on equality and community, makes sure that the wines produced are impressive and accessible to everyone. This brand was featured on Texas Monthly’s Top 25 Texas Wines list. A new addition was a joint tasting room with C.L. Butaud, another 100% Texas wine producer, recently opened in Southwest Austin.
If you’re in Texas, it’s advisable to test out a bottle of Dandy Rose and/or Bubbles and toast like a true Texan.
> Kendall Antonelli, Founder, Owner, Antonelli’s Cheese
This Hyde Park cheese shop has been ruling the roost here. If anyone wonders what is behind the incredible work that Kendell Antonelli and her team have done building a cheese empire and offering unique group events at their Cheese House – its sheer hard work.
It’s also because she, an international human rights worker-turned-cheesemonger, is a force in the community today, participating in not only local events but totally supporting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Source:
https://theriveter.co/voice/top-women-entrepreneurs-dallas-fort-worth/
https://www.austintexas.org/meeting-professionals/female-entrepreneurs-to-know-in-
austin/
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
