At the Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC), we believe that every ending is an opportunity for a powerful new beginning. This month, we were honored to celebrate a remarkable group of women who turned the challenge of federal job loss into the spark for entrepreneurship.
Through our inaugural Founders Rising program, 20 resilient women began the transition from federal employees and contractors to confident business owners. They showed up for each other, built a strong peer support network, and learned how to nurture their business ideas into reality.
What is Founders Rising?
Founders Rising was specifically designed to support those impacted by federal staffing changes and contract cancellations. Over an intensive eight-week course, these aspiring entrepreneurs worked alongside experts to master the essentials of launching a sustainable business and gain confidence in their endeavors. From refining their elevator pitches to navigating financial planning, the cohort was provided the tools and the community needed to thrive in the private sector.
The variety of businesses launched by this cohort is a testament to the many talents within our community. Among the graduates were:
- Garine Isassi, a former National Science Foundation contractor who is now working to open a community-focused independent bookstore.
- Mia Bailey, who spent 17 years at HUD and has now launched So Respond, a consulting firm focused on social responsibility.
- Erika Lessey, who transitioned her part-time acupuncture passion into a full-time venture after leaving the FDA.
Other graduates are making their mark in fields ranging from HR consulting to health and wellness to after-school programming.
The success of these women has caught the attention of our local community! We invite you to read more about their journeys and the graduation ceremony held at the Rockville Library in these recent features:
- Bethesda Magazine: Laid-off feds find new beginnings through entrepreneurship program
- MyMCMedia: After Federal Job Losses, 20 Montgomery County Women Celebrate Entrepreneurship Graduation
What’s Next?
Six of the Founders Rising graduates will be participating in a pitch competition at this year’s EmpowHER small business conference and resource fair.
As Rockville City Councilmember Kate Fulton shared during the ceremony, “It takes such courage and such commitment to step into entrepreneurship.”
We are incredibly proud of this group for taking that leap. If you are looking to start or grow your business, MWBC is here to provide the training, counseling, and resources you need to succeed. Interested in our future cohorts or small business counseling? Let’s stay in touch!