This week, the WomenVenture staff gathered together for the organization’s annual staff retreat! Thank you to our friends at Sunrise Banks for graciously providing a space for us to gather.
The agenda was filled with many mission moments, including a panel of Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) experts and allies for an informative discussion about their experiences in the evolving small business landscape. Thank you to Brian McDonald of Amplio, Jaylana Peters at Neighborhood Development Center, Ger Thao from the Hmong American Partnership, and Laura Wildenborg from Sunrise Banks for leading this conversation!
Two incredible clients – Rapheal Kol, owner of POWL and Laura Van Hofwegen, owner of The Sota Fountain – joined the day to share their entrepreneurial journeys and what WomenVenture’s support meant to them.
This was a day of energy, connection, and collaborative introspection, identifying themes of impact that continue to shape our work and the small business owners we serve:
Relaxation: Taking restorative clarity breaks to strengthen the energy we collectively put into our work.
Sustainability: Building a solid foundation that can weather any turbulence in a shifting economical climate for our organization and the small business owners we serve.
Optimism: Leading each other and our clients with positivity.
Growth: Moving with an abundant mindset where no ceiling is too high for us or our community of entrepreneurs making their dreams a reality.
Action: Committing to the everyday momentum that we to move our mission forward.
Joy: Celebrating the progress, achievements, and resilience of our WomenVenture community.
Intentional time together is an important part of building a strong organization. When we step away from the day-to-day work to gather, reflect, listen, and share ideas, we create space to see our work from new perspectives and reconnect with the purpose behind it. These moments of collaboration strengthen relationships, build trust, surface new ideas, and help teams move forward with greater clarity and alignment. The work we do – providing access to capital, business consulting, and education to entrepreneurs – is stronger when we make time to strengthen the people doing it.
Most importantly, the day reminded us that the work we do is strengthened by the people behind it – and by the shared vision, creativity, and commitment we bring to WomenVenture every day.
When we come together with intention, we create a stronger foundation for the community impact we’re committed to making. Until next year!
