2026 THE STARTUP

September 01, 2025

STARTUP: Empowering 15 Emerging Women Entrepreneurs to Build, Lead & Thrive

A Recap of BWOPA/TILE’s 5-Week Hybrid Certificate Program

This fall, BWOPA/TILE proudly celebrated the completion of STARTUP, our 5-week hybrid certificate program designed for women who are new to entrepreneurship and ready to transform their ideas into action. With a powerful cohort of 15 participants, this immersive experience provided a space for learning, collaboration, and self-discovery — all rooted in the belief that entrepreneurship is not just a business pathway, but a vehicle for leadership, economic empowerment, and self-expression.

Over the course of five weeks, participants built new skills, developed their ideas, and gained the confidence to step boldly into their entrepreneurial journeys. STARTUP blended hands-on learning with community support, offering a holistic foundation that women can use to launch or strengthen their emerging ventures.

Check out the Cohort 1 energy - Photo Gallery

A Program Designed With Purpose

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.

Inside the 5-Week Journey

Each week of STARTUP introduced new concepts and opportunities for growth:

  • Week 1 — Foundations of Entrepreneurship:  Participants explored 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 learned how to define their brand identity, connect with target audiences, and communicate value with clarity and confidence.
  • Week 3 — Business Modeling & Planning: Women worked through practical frameworks to strengthen their business models and create sustainable, realistic plans for growth.
  • Week 4 — Pricing, Profit & Customer Experience: Participants explored the fundamentals of revenue, pricing strategies, customer loyalty, and designing a memorable experience.
  • Week 5 — Storytelling & The Founder’s Voice: The final week centered 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 culminated in a dynamic elevator pitch showcase, where each participant delivered a 60-second presentation of her business concept. The energy in the room was electric — bold ideas, new confidence, and an audience cheering these women on as they stepped fully into their entrepreneurial leadership.

For many, this was the first time pitching a business idea publicly. The growth between Week 1 and Week 5 was unmistakable.

A Cohort of 15 Visionaries

This 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

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].

 

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