Financing the Future: Women in Business
It’s a sad fact that most of the world is run by rich white men. As a woman and entrepreneur (in technology, no less!), I have been challenged by this reality every step of my professional journey. I could share statistic after statistic about the gaps that exist when it comes to accessing resources as a woman in business. But instead I would like to focus on an inspiring and incredible woman taking huge steps towards closing those canyons of inequality.
Dr. Roshawnna Novellus is the founder and CEO of EnrichHER, a financial platform that connects women-led and black-owned businesses with lenders who want to support them. The platform is regulated by the SEC and FINRA, and it allows investors to lend directly to women-led ventures. This means that communities can use the EnrichHER platform to decide which businesses they want to support.
To put it simply — this revolutionary platform gives real economic power to women and minorities by offering access to capital. And with that economic power, they can become stronger voices in our communities, helping to build a society that better reflects the needs of everyone.
I sat down with Dr. Novellus to talk more about her platform, and about the wisdom she has gained on her professional journey. A journey, I might add, that involves a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering, a Master of Science in Information Technology, along with two Bachelor’s degrees and innumerable professional awards.
Dr Novellus says that minority voices need to have larger roles in our economies and communities. “As the number of sustainable women-led businesses increases, society as a whole will benefit from inclusive job growth, as well as products and services that better reflect the input of women.”
And Dr. Novellus has a wealth of input and wisdom to offer. She believes that a solid, mindful financial strategy is the key to successfully reaching your business goals. She uses smarter financial decisions, mindfulness, compassion, entrepreneurship, and fitness to create a fabulous life.
“Mindfulness is about being present, being intentional, and focusing on your values.’ she says. “When you make decisions that align with your core identity — what’s truly important to you — they naturally have greater clarity and lead to greater fulfillment in life.” And being mindful is even more important during these chaotic times we find ourselves in.
“The coronavirus has forced us to spend more time with ourselves than ever before.” says Dr. Novellus. “There are fewer places to go, fewer things to do, and fewer distractions because of shutdowns brought on by the pandemic. At the same time, there has also been a massive increase in the number of stressors affecting us — the slowing economy, fear of exposure to Covid, tumultuous elections, and an unprecedented spotlight on the rampant racial injustice in America. Mindfulness is a key practice for achieving inner peace despite heightened periods of stress, so many people have turned to mindfulness to maintain their mental health during these difficult times.”
The coronavirus has also forced us to seek out new methods for connecting with one another, socially and professionally (and many of us find it exhausting!). When asked how to better navigate the world of digital networking, Dr. Novellus says:
“Make a commitment to be present in the moment with each person you meet. Don’t let your mind wander off thinking about what the last person said or anticipating your next call. Treat each person like they are your first and only meeting.”
And that is excellent advice to offer everyone still struggling to grow their business during these crazy Covid-times. I am honored that Dr. Novellus will be joining us as a Keynote Speaker at the LinkUpConferenceShow on December 8th. LUCS is a new digital networking conference disrupting the scene by offering meaningful, moderated networking sessions to business professionals in Fintech and Telecom. We are a women-led team dedicated to helping professionals make meaningful connections online. If you want to learn first-hand about Dr. Novellus and how the EnrichHER platform landed over $4 million in financing for their first run last year, or anything else about her incredible journey, come join us on December 8th and ask her yourself!
