For decades, women entrepreneurs have built the backbone of Indiana’s local economy, often quietly and alone. They’ve opened storefronts and consulting firms, managed teams and households, and built legacies while navigating systems never designed with them in mind.
And yet, despite the progress, too many women business owners still face the same barriers we’ve been naming for years—lack of access to capital, limited visibility in procurement pipelines, and networks that don’t reflect the diversity of our entrepreneurial community.
That’s why NAWBO-Indianapolis created Women In Unity: Business Growth & Development.
Because access shouldn’t depend on luck—it should be built through connection.
For the first time, NAWBO-Indianapolis is bringing together women entrepreneurs and business champions from across the state for the inaugural Women In Unity: Business Growth & Development event. This gathering creates a shared space where ideas spark, partnerships form, and collaboration becomes the catalyst for sustainable business growth.
We’ll hear from four dynamic leaders who represent every level of Indiana’s business infrastructure:
1. Brian Schutt, Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, will share how the state is investing in entrepreneurs and innovation at every stage.
2. Akilah Darden, of The Darden Group, a trailblazer in construction management, will discuss breaking barriers and the power of supplier development.
3. Fahad Beg, City of Indianapolis, will highlight opportunities for women-owned businesses in local contracting and civic partnerships.
4. Brandon Roger, SCORE Indianapolis, will provide tangible resources for mentorship, planning, and sustainable growth.
Nationally, women-owned businesses represent nearly 40% of all U.S. firms, employing more than 12 million people and contributing over $2.7 trillion to the economy. However, that economic power remains fragmented. According to the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Businesses Report, most women-owned firms operate with fewer than five employees—not because they lack talent or ambition, but because the support systems necessary for scaling remain inconsistent.
The truth is, isolation stifles growth. Studies continue to show that women who build networks of trusted collaborators—such as other business owners, mentors, suppliers, and clients—are more likely to increase revenue and secure larger contracts. When women are connected to strong ecosystems, their businesses grow faster, their teams are stronger, and their communities thrive.
That’s what Women In Unity is about: creating that ecosystem right here in Indiana.
As women, we are often conditioned to do it all and do it alone. But that mindset limits our potential. True leadership is recognizing that when one woman wins, we all move forward.
Imagine what could happen if every woman business owner in Indiana intentionally referred another woman for a contract, shared a hard-earned resource, or mentored one emerging leader. That’s how ecosystems evolve. That’s how industries shift. That’s how we rewrite what business looks like for the next generation.
Being in the room means hearing directly from decision-makers who influence procurement, investment, and partnership opportunities. It means learning strategies that can immediately be applied to grow your business. It means finding mentors who’ve walked your path and are willing to help you navigate yours. But most importantly, it means standing shoulder to shoulder with other women who understand the climb—who believe in progress through partnership rather than competition.
When women-owned businesses show up together, we send a clear message: our collective power is not just economic, it’s transformational. We are not waiting to be invited into the conversation; we’re creating it.
So bring your story. Bring your goals. Bring your seat to the table. Because every woman in that room adds strength to the movement—and together, we are building the future of business in Indiana.
Tickets are available for Women In Unity, taking place on November 13 at 8:30 a.m. at The Wellington Event Center, on the NAWBO Indy website.
Dr. Jamyce Curtis Banks is the Immediate Past President of NAWBO-Indianapolis and CEO of Whatever It Takes Consulting, Inc. She is a recognized champion for inclusive leadership and the advancement of women entrepreneurs across Indiana.
