2026 THE STARTUP
STARTUP: Empowering 15 Emerging Women Entrepreneurs to Build, Lead & Thrive
THE STARTUP is facilitated and convened by the powerhouse duo of serial entrepreneurs Selena Young and Shauna Harper, Co-Founders of BLOS Collective. Together, Selena and Shauna bring deep real-world expertise, cultural fluency, and a values-driven approach to entrepreneurship—creating a learning environment with both rigor and affirmations.
The inaugural powerful cohort of 15 participants held in 2025, the program offered an immersive experience rooted in the belief that entrepreneurship is not just a business pathway, but a vehicle for leadership, economic empowerment, and self-expression—especially for Black women and women of color.
Over the course of five weeks, participants:
- Clarified and refined their business ideas
- Built foundational entrepreneurial skills and confidence
- Learned practical tools for launching and sustaining ventures
- Engaged in peer learning, mentorship, and accountability
- Explored entrepreneurship as a pathway to generational and community wealth
THE STARTUP intentionally blended hands-on learning with community support, meeting participants where they were and equipping them with a holistic foundation they can carry forward as they launch or strengthen their emerging ventures. From ideation to mindset shifts, the program emphasized that building a business also means building oneself as a leader.
The energy, creativity, and sisterhood of Cohort I set the tone for what’s possible when women are resourced, affirmed, and challenged to step boldly into their power.
Interested in joining the next cohort? Applications for THE STARTUP – Cohort II are now open.
Deadline to sign up: January 5th - Click Here to Apply
Spots are limited—apply early and take the next step in turning your vision into action.
A Program Designed With Purpose: THE STARTUP equips new and aspiring women entrepreneurs with the core elements needed to take the first step — and the next one — in their business journeys. Program goals included helping participants:
- Build a strong foundation in entrepreneurship and business fundamentals
- Develop business ideas grounded in personal passions, lived experience, and strengths
- Learn strategies in branding, marketing, and business planning
- Gain practical tools to structure pricing and understand profitability
- Strengthen storytelling and customer experience — the heart of every successful business
- Build confidence in communication, leadership, and public speaking
Through interactive workshops, guest speakers, and peer collaboration, participants sharpened their creative problem-solving skills and built a supportive community of emerging founders.
Inaugural Cohort of 15 Visionaries
Earlier this year, the inaugural cohort brought together women from diverse backgrounds, industries, and lived experiences — each with a powerful story to tell. Over five weeks, they built community, accountability, and sisterhood.
Whether developing beauty brands, wellness services, consulting practices, home-based ventures, or creative products, each woman walked away with:
✔ A clear direction for her business
✔ New skills and tools
✔ A supportive entrepreneurial network
✔ And a Certificate of Achievement marking her commitment and completion
Inside the 5-Week Journey
Each week of THE STARTUP introduces new concepts and opportunities for growth:
- Week 1 — Foundations of Entrepreneurship: Participants explores what it means to be a founder, discovered the “why” behind their ideas, and began shaping early-stage business concepts.
- Week 2 — Branding, Marketing & Visibility: The cohort learns how to define their brand identity, connect with target audiences, and communicate value with clarity and confidence.
- Week 3 — Business Modeling & Planning: Women work through practical frameworks to strengthen their business models and create sustainable, realistic plans for growth.
- Week 4 — Pricing, Profit & Customer Experience: Participants explore the fundamentals of revenue, pricing strategies, customer loyalty, and designing a memorable experience.
- Week 5 — Storytelling & The Founder’s Voice: The final week centers on elevating the founder’s narrative and refining elevator pitches in preparation for the closing celebration.
A Powerful Finish: The Elevator Pitch Celebration
The program culminates in a dynamic elevator pitch showcase, where each participant deliver a 60-second presentation of her business concept. The energy in the room is electric — bold ideas, new confidence, and an audience cheering on as you step fully into your entrepreneurial leadership.
For many, this is the first time pitching a business idea publicly. The growth between Week 1 and Week 5 is unmistakable.
Why Programs Like STARTUP Matter
For Black women and women of color — among the fastest-growing groups of new entrepreneurs — access to guidance, peer support, and structured development is essential. STARTUP offers that space.
When women have the tools, training, and confidence to lead their ideas forward, our communities gain new solutions, stronger economies, and more opportunities for generational wealth.
This training reflects BWOPA/TILE’s ongoing commitment to empowering women to lead — in business, in civic spaces, and within their own lives.
Join the Next Cohort - Deadline Jan 2nd
If you’re a woman ready to take your first step toward entrepreneurship, THE STARTUP program is designed for you.
Stay connected for announcements about the next cohort. Questions? Contact us at [email protected].
Support THE START Cohort II -- learn more