“ It ’ s a holistic approach to entrepreneurship . Especially women from lower incomes or women of color , systemic issues and traumas lead to habits and mindsets because of the environments we ’ re in .”
GINA LUJAN Founder , MakeHers
are working from home , selling items online on Etsy and Facebook Marketplace . Lujan created MakeHers to support what ’ s happening now . The first round of the accelerator launched in April , supporting 15 women from the Sacramento Region with low incomes in launching or developing a small business .
The MakeHers program will run 60 days for each round . The women meet virtually every week for lessons on the structure and cost to operate a business , understanding the market , and developing confidence and storytelling skills . It also includes mentoring sessions and helping entrepreneurs get their business documents in order .
“ It ’ s a holistic approach to entrepreneurship ,” Lujan says . “ Especially women from lower incomes or women of color , systemic issues and traumas lead to habits and mindsets because of the environments we ’ re in .”
The goal is to have MakeHers be a continuous program that serves all
women eventually . Anyone who goes through the program will receive an initial seed investment of at least $ 1,000 . ( Lujan plans to use crowdfunding to generate additional funds for needed resources .) Lujan counseled thousands of people this past year and knows that support , money , education and resources for women are where help is needed .
“ The stories you hear ,” she says . “ I ’ ve talked to people who told me , ‘ I can ’ t even pay my car insurance , so I ’ ve been driving around without it ,’ or , ‘ I don ’ t have enough money to feed my kids .’ It ’ s heartbreaking , and if you ’ re in a position where you can do something , why not do something ?”
Russell Nichols is a freelance writer who focuses on technology , culture and mental health . His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , The Boston Globe , Governing magazine and Government Technology . On Twitter @ russellnichols .
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