According to 2024 Statistics from the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Advocacy, women own more than 12 million small businesses across the country and employ over 10.7 million workers. These businesses contribute massively to the economy, producing nearly 2 trillion in total sales annually.
In an effort to provide a tool for women business leaders and future owners in both the Greater Lansing area and around Michigan, Foster Swift launched a monthly podcast: Businesswomen Talking. Hosted by business attorneys, Amanda Dernovshek and Lindsey Mead, this podcast discusses a number of legal topics that can pose hinderances for business owners such as succession planning, IP protection and entity selection/organization.
Each episode features a special guest, a local business owner or leader sharing their personal experiences such as how they got started, difficulties they have faced along the way and other insight. Each podcast recording is available below. Also available below are FAQs about Women-Owned Business Certification and other resources:
Podcast Episodes
- Businesswomen Talking - Episode 1: An Introduction to the Series
- Businesswomen Talking - Episode 2: A Discussion with Julie Holton Smith of mConnexions
- Businesswomen Talking - Episode 3: A Discussion with Jessica Starks of Transworld Business Advisors
Coming Soon
- Episode 4 - Katie Davis of The Literacy Camp
- Episode 5 - Abby Burnell of McCall Hamilton
- Episode 6 - Emma Bostwick of Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)
Resources
- LEAP’s Procurement Readiness Program
- Michigan Specific Women and/or Minority-Owned Business Certifications
For more information on these women-owned business certifications, consult the following websites:
- WBENC Certification: https://www.wbenc.org/certification/
- WOSB and EDWOSB Certification: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/women-owned-small-business-federal-contract-program
Contact Us
If you would like to appear as a guest on a future podcast episode, please contact us at info@fosterswift.com.