“We rise by lifting others.”
We’ve been championing women in business (and women in general) since the beginning. Lifting women Up is just something we believe in…so much so that we included it as a legitimate section of our business plan.
We often revisit said business plan and it reminds us of everything we did during the year before opening: Scribbling ideas on legal pads (bazillion), going to “QuickBooks for Dummies” classes (woof), utilizing the SCORE Mentor program, learning on the fly (had to), drinking Champagne (also had to), asking EVERYBODY questions (another bazillion), and doing whatever necessary to make the dream i.e. shop come true.
Yes, there’s A LOT that goes into growing a business, and we’d be foolish not to recognize that it also takes some money. Which is the point of the BeyoU Fund.
The BeyoU Fund starts as a $1,500* grant that is awarded annually to a Chicago-based female entrepreneur in need. We begin accepting applications every July and select/announce the recipient – with help from our “Boss Lady Business Panel” – at our BeyoU Night Summer Bash in August.
This money could be a lot of things – officially incorporating, creating a website, purchasing signage, etc – but to us it’s simply a small way we can support a dream/a business/a woman…
WHICH WE. ARE. HERE. FOR.
*Each year the Fund grows thanks to generous customer donations and event partnerships. The 2024 Fund climbed to $3,900!
Interested in contributing? Email Melissa!
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2021 recipient: Laura Chavez of What Is Productions
2022 recipient: Morgan Murdock of Unbothered Foods
2023 recipientS: Hannah Campbell of Top Notch Bake Shop AND Nicole Lang of lo-fi events (#BeyoUtoo)
2024 recipient: Kylie Holliman-Rivera of Fire Hydrant Pet Sitting and Daycare
♥ $12,100 given since 2021 ♥
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Endless thanks to our 2024 Boss Lady Business Panel:
Kim, co-founder of Birch Road Club
Nicole, co-founder of Ama La Vida Career Coaching
Rendi, co-owner of Anderson Ganne Wines
Kristyn, chapter president of United Women in Business
