The WILL FUND AND SOCIALPRENEUR INITIATIVE
The belief of the LWE network is that investing in women is simply smart business. The LWE W.I.L.L. Fund invests in women entrepreneurs and diverse leaders through our Socialpreneur initiative which was launched in partnership with Women’s Day Magazine.
The winners received a feature story in Women’s Day which reaches over 20 million women nationally, marketing strategies, access to the LWE online community and $2500.
Female entrepreneurs are often the innovators who have the potential to scale their businesses and contribute to the economy in countless ways. Ultimate success requires access to capital and influential, collaborative, networks to propel growth – the same qualities that build market-leading companies. However, less than 3 % of women-owned companies get investment funds.
This fund builds on the research that indicates that companies started by women are more successful in many ways: higher returns on equity, lowered risk, greater innovation, greater long-term orientation and greater client focus. The fund represents a means for us to turn our beliefs into action by directing capital to these companies; it thus represents a market-based solution to a business opportunity and challenge.
MEET SOME OF THE LWE SOCIALPRENEURS
Paige Brattin, See Worthy Patches
See Worthy Patches are adhesive occlusion eye patches worn by 1 in 45 children who are fighting amblyopia, the leading cause of childhood blindness. The eye patch serves to help strengthen a weaker eye, by eliminating sight to the stronger eye. See Worthy Patches have a patented shape, materials, and adhesives which make them unique to other patches on the market. These eye patches also help adult post ophthalmological surgery or treatment as well as those with bels-Palsy.
Checkout the NJBIZ article on See Worthy Patches
Julie Lineberger, Wheel Pad L3C
WHEEL PAD is a 200 square foot accessible bedroom and bathroom module that can be temporarily attached to an existing home. Constructed with technology borrowed from the recreational vehicle (RV) industry, Wheel Pad can sit on a property without triggering zoning or building permit issues. Wheel Pad provides temporary accessible housing for people recently confined to a wheelchair, allowing friends and/or family to provide support until permanent accessible housing can be arranged. See Julie’s full inspirational story behind the idea for Wheel Pad at:
www.wheelpad.com
Amy Genzlinger, Founder of Art from the Heart
Amy is a writer, artist, and teacher. After she lost her voice in 2015, when her vocal cord became paralyzed during open-heart surgery, she thought her life was over. Instead, she discovered a new world of peace, joy, and creativity through collage art. A year later, she had a miraculous surgery that restored her voice. With a new voice and outlook on life, she decided she wanted to help others find a creative outlet and started her business, Art from the Heart. She provides guests with the materials, instructions, and inspiration to create their own unique and personal piece of art. Whether it’s a small “Home Party” or a large “Corporate Event”, she brings her talent and creativity to teach others how to make beautiful and unique art collages. Her mission is to give people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to be creative and express themselves.
