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Building What We Needed for Women-Owned Businesses

Share the goods.

People standing around talking to each other upstairs.

19 years as a woman-owned business gives us some serious street cred when it comes to building and leading programs for women-owned businesses. We built what we needed before we aggressively grew and what we needed after the growth. 

Women own around 40% of U.S. businesses and receive around 10% of the funding they need to grow, leaving them to navigate entrepreneurship largely on their own… and it’s exhausting. 

In an article Kim wrote last year for Corp! Magazine, she pointed out:

When a woman CEO needs growth capital, she completes Personal Financial Statements, compiles three years of tax returns, and prepares detailed projections before any bank will schedule a meeting. Her male competitor discusses the same credit line over drinks at the country club, where documentation comes up after the handshake, if at all. 

We’re not the kind of company to sit around and wait for someone else to solve the problem, which is why we built what we needed as a woman-led small business. No matter where you are in your business, there is a place for you. 

Each program is built, taught, and led by business owners for business owners, because no one understands your journey better than those who have been there. 

The Program for What Comes First

The Women’s Owners Network is built for the one-woman shop, solopreneur, the smaller business, the one that needs support to take it to the next level – whatever that might look like and however you choose to define it. 

The six-month program integrates the emotional with the practical—tackling leadership, finance, crisis planning, paired with structured support for the isolation, emotional volatility, and decision fatigue that comes with owning your own business.

It’s designed by entrepreneurs who have navigated the same terrain and understand that sustainable business growth cannot be separated from the support network and resilience required to sustain it.

Think of it as your own board of directors, including Kim Bode and a group of kickass mentors, instructors, and coaches who will offer perspective, guidance, and feedback along the way.

Did we mention access to special events, including an exclusive retreat? 

*The program tuition is $1,500, and there is a cost to attend the retreat. 

Applications close for the 2026 Women’s Owners Network cohort by 10/1.

*If you are not accepted into the November cohort, you will be considered for the March 2027 cohort. 

The Program for What Comes After

You have the revenue, employees, success and you’re burned out. If you don’t get out of your business to work on your business, you’ll walk away from your business.

Through mentorship with experienced business leaders, peer-to-peer learning with women who understand your challenges, in-person sessions to tackle the hard stuff, and the WEF Learning Hub keeping everything connected, you’ll have comprehensive support designed around your reality as a business owner.

This is about building what you want next with peers who understand where you are and those who have been there before.

Apply for the Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship by 9/15

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Showing up to an interview with an iced coffee? Not the move… unless it’s for @bodespeaks

#icedcoffee #agency #PR #trending #grandrapids
… and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Meet Joey, one of @bodespeaks’ nine rescues and 8THIRTYFOUR’s self-appointed office manager. She’ll happily accept head pats and belly rubs, but make no mistake: she’s always watching.
The Women’s Owners Network (WON) is built for smaller businesses that are ready for the next level and need the right support to get there, whatever that looks like.

The six-month program combines the practical side of business with the emotional side. Participants work on leadership, finance, operations, and access to capital. They also get structured support for isolation, emotional volatility, and decision fatigue that come with owning a business.

WON is designed by entrepreneurs who have been there. They know that lasting business growth depends on personal growth and the resilience it takes to keep going.

This program gives women business owners thoughtful, well-rounded support to reach their next chapter, however they define it.

Who is WON built for?
Women founders who are in the thick of it and are:

- Past the idea stage: actively generating revenue and serving customers
- Committed to growth: ready to invest six months in the work, starting in November

Apply for the upcoming cohort at the link in bio. Applications close Oct 1.
Iced coffee is having a moment right now… and we’re sitting back and giving ours a celebratory shake. 

IYKYK: would you bring one to an interview? 

Tell us below.

#icedcoffee #trending #fyp #jobinterview #smallbusiness
Here’s the real behind-the-scenes of events: iconic @bodespeaks tees, dog diapers (don’t ask), and the people that make it all look easy. 

Glamorous? Obviously.

Check out what we’ve been working on for yourself. Register now for Uncomfortable Conversations The Pause at the link in bio.
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