A trailblazer, as defined by the Cambridge dictionary, is the first person to do something or go somewhere, who shows it is also possible for other people. The School of Business and Economics, Continuing Education, and the MBA program from UW-Stevens Point are hosting their second annual Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference around this foundational idea of trailblazing. Their one-day conference on Oct. 27, 2022, showcases and develops women trailblazers, founders, and entrepreneurs from every sector including professionals, artists, volunteers, students, and parents. The keynote and four breakout sessions will help women move their adventures forward by providing tools and examples of women leading their big ideas to become big impacts.
“A study from McKinsey Global Institute found that advancing women’s equality could add $12 trillion to the global economy by 2025,” said Mara Prausa, outreach program manager from UW-Stevens Point.
“Supporting women-owned businesses brings innovation, diversity and new perspectives to Central Wisconsin, and it drives our community’s economic prosperity and vitality,” said Prausa. “We know that women entrepreneurs face different challenges than their male counterparts. Through this conference, we want to empower women to dream big, raise each other up, collaborate together and take action to build new and great things.”
This year’s conference will be in a hybrid format, hosted on site in Wausau and offered virtually. There will also be an opportunity to network and visit on-site exhibitors.
“The most exciting aspect of this conference is gathering trailblazing, inspirational, entrepreneurial, goal-oriented women together in one space to learn, share, grow, and support one another,” said Prausa. “I imagine that the conversations and brainstorming that will happen could and will lead to amazing new things both for the women attendees as individuals and the community as a whole!”
Since its inception on the campus of Montclair State University in 2014, Women’s Entrepreneurship Week (WEW) has grown into a global movement with the goals of celebrating female founders and inspiring women trailblazers all over the world. In 2019 UWSP hosted a 60-minute event on the Stevens Point campus on Oct. 13 entitled Entrepreneurial Essentials for Women. In 2021, UWSP hosted a one-day online conference focused on “Thriving as Founders” and “Starting New Stuff.”
Are you a pioneer? An innovator? Have a burning desire to lead something new? For more information regarding the Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference and how to attend visit the Small Business Development Center’s website at uwsp.edu/sbdc.