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As Black History Month transitions into International Women's Day, this video from Don Peebles as he receives the Business Icon Award at The Grio Award, highlights the shared challenge both groups face in access to capital. "The fuel to run the motors of business is capital. Now, let me give you an illuminating fact. Today, there is over 82 Trillion dollars invested in venture capital and private equity. Of that 82 trillion dollars less than 1.3% of it is invested in firms run or owned by women or people of color. Combined. What that means is 98.7% of venture capital money, 81 trillion dollars out of 82 trillion dollars is provided to white men. Yet, white men represent only 31% of America's population. Women represent 51% of Americans, we Black Americans are 13% of Americans. Thus, you have 64% of the population receiving less than 1.3% of the investment capital." ~ Don Peebles Link to video in the comments. These numbers are not unique to the US. Less than 2% of VC funding globally is invested in female founded businesses. Less than 2%! In 2024, Growing the 2% Club is committed to amplify and advocating for female founders seeking the investment and liquidity to grow their businesses. If you are a fund manager in the position to invest in a fabulous female founded business, 🎯 Write the check. If you are a family office looking to make a true impact, 🎯 Seek out female founded businesses that are ready to scale. If you feel your business is already making an effort in this space, 🎯 Do more. If you are a purchasing department, of large corporations purchasing from female founded businesses, 🎯 understand the reality of the 2% Club and find ways to accelerate or adapt the payment terms with your purchase. Please feel free to highlight people doing hero's work in this space. #blackhistorymonth #internationalwomensday #Grow2PercentClub

🎉 Final Call! Just 3 days left to nominate for the Family Business Hall of Fame 2024. As we prepare to welcome the New Year, let's make these last moments count by celebrating family-owned businesses in our community! 🌟 Categories awaiting your nominations: ✔ Excellence in Social Impact: Celebrating businesses making a difference in society. ✔ Outstanding Family Business Catalyst: Acknowledging those who nurture the family business community. ✔ Outstanding Emerging Family Business: For rising stars in the family business landscape. ✔ Generational Legacy: Honoring businesses with a rich heritage of 4+ generations. ✔ Lifetime Achievement: Recognizing lifelong contributors to the family business sector. Your nominations are more important than ever. They're not just submissions; they're a testament to the extraordinary achievements and dedication of family-owned businesses. Let's give them the recognition they deserve! ⏳ Hurry, nominate now using the link in the comments below and be a part of this grand celebration. Together, let's bid farewell to 2023 and usher in 2024 with gratitude and admiration for these inspiring businesses. Wishing you a safe and happy New Year! Here's to creating more success stories in the family business community! #CSUFHallOfFame2024 #NominateNow #BecauseFamilyBusinessesMatter #BusinessExcellence #GenerationalLegacy

Higher Purpose Business   As posted in the past, I attended the Principled Business Summit led on-site by Alexander McCobin at Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson's residence. Here's a summary of Prue Leith, another excellent guest at the conference.   Prue is very successful in the UK restaurant, catering, and top chef school businesses. She has also received numerous awards and prizes in many categories. In 2021, the late Queen Elizabeth named her Damehood for her business success and contributions to charity, education, and the arts.   The theme of her presentation, "How do we prioritize happiness, honesty, transparency, and human relations over money?" was candid and inspiring. Prue's multifaceted career illustrates how her passionate journey drove her acts to innovate and differentiate in the competitive industry.   Her passion went beyond financial success. The core motive of staying true to her love for food and commitment to the quality of the service was the Higher Purpose she continued to pursue. It has helped her build a successful business, impacting many constituents, including the board director community.   Having a Higher Purpose at the core navigates and creates an outstanding business that differentiates from competitors, motivates employees, and derives a sense of human relations in the firm for mutual success.   I was impressed that she is VERY PASSIONATE about contributing to Corporate Governance through her board representation in numerous companies. Her role as a board member, through oversight with a sense of Higher Purpose at each company, will help create corporate values for the shareholders and other stakeholders. #higherpurpose #consciouscapitalism #sustainablebusiness #consciousbusiness #consciousleadership #humancapital #responsiblebusiness #purpose #purposedriven #purposedrivenleadership #richardbranson #corporategovernance #womeninbusiness #womenbusinessowners #womenentrepreneurs

⏳ Time is ticking: Only 18 days left to recognize outstanding family-owned businesses for the Family Business Hall of Fame 2024. As we approach the final days of 2023, let's continue the celebration of success and excellence!   🌟 Categories include:   ◾ Excellence in Social Impact: Celebrating businesses making a difference in society. ◾ Outstanding Family Business Catalyst: Acknowledging those who nurture the family business community. ◾ Outstanding Emerging Family Business: For rising stars in the family business landscape. ◾ Generational Legacy: Honoring businesses with a rich heritage of 4+ generations. ◾ Lifetime Achievement: Recognizing lifelong contributors to the family business sector.   Your nomination holds the power to shine a spotlight on remarkable businesses that have left an indelible mark. Take this opportunity to honor their dedication and achievements.   🔗 Check the link in the comments below and submit your nomination before December 31st!   Together, let's make these last days of the year count!   #CSUFHallOfFame2024 #NominateToday #BusinessExcellence #GenerationalLegacy #SupportLocalBusiness  

Check out the article in todays issue with profiles for all the fantastic honorees for the San Antonio Business Journal's 40 Under 40*. Beyond excited to have been selected with this years class of exceptional individuals. #RaymondJames #40Under40 #SanAntonio #WealthManagement #SA40Under40 *The San Antonio Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Awards are presented to professionals under 40 years old who have demonstrated excellence in business, leadership, and community involvement. To be eligible, the nominees must be under the age of 40 as of 1/1/24, live and work in the San Antonio area, and cannot be a past 40 Under 40 honoree. Over 200 nominees were considered and 40 were recognized. The nominations are read and vetted by an internal group of editors and reporters at San Antonio Business Journal. This ranking is based upon the period from 01/01/2023 to 12/31/2023 and was released on 1/22/2024. This ranking is not based in any way on the individual's abilities in regard to providing investment advice or management. The ranking may not be representative of any one client's experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of an advisor's future performance. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. San Antonio Business Journal is not affiliated with Raymond James.

Introducing our NEWEST Rising Professionals Board Member, Alyxandreya Richards! Get to know her down below... Hometown? - I am born and raised in Beloit! Favorite Restaurant? - Anna Maria's! How did you come to be in Beloit? - I came back to Beloit during Covid, I graduated from Lewis University with my Major in Economics and Finance in May of 2020. I than Bought my first house to rent in 2021 and ended up moving into the house instead after being offered a Job at FNBT. How long have you lived in the community? - My whole life, Minus 5 Years! What is your career background? - I have worked within customer service my whole life whether that was in retail, the bar industry being a Barista, or even a shift Manager at many different Starbucks locations. Prior to working at FNBT was a Payroll specialist at Populus Group. I loved it but I was offered a position at the bank as a Commercial Sales Administrator for the Small Business and Commercial Cash Management Team. After almost 2 years in that position, I was offered an opportunity I couldn't resist! The opportunity to help create & build a brand-new position/ program called a "Preferred Personal Banker". I now work with our higher dollar clients and am their go to banker for any of their banking needs. I also am responsible for building my own book of business by bringing in new customers to FNBT. Why did you accept the Rising Professionals Board of Directors position? - I joined the RP's Membership committee in 2022, and as I started to attend more events and network, I started to realize the worth of the RPs. From there, I was offered to be a cohost of the RP Podcast "Beyond the Resume". Being involved with both the committee and podcast, I started to realize the connections I was making in my hometown. I made it Vocal to Diana that I would like to get more involved with the RPs. A few weeks Later Madysen and Diana offered me the treasurer position and I was thrilled! I found this as an opportunity to help the RPs, learn something new, network, and help other RPs grow within the community. What special strengths do you bring to the Board? - Some strengths that I bring to the board are newer ideas, a Beloit native perspective, new connections within the community, and a new way to organize. the other Strengths would be a sales perspective on getting sponsorships, members, and new chamber members. What goals do you hope to achieve during your term? - A few goals I would like to achieve during my term are to try to get everything digital for the treasurer position, Get all recites sooner than later, help grow our sponsorships and memberships. Along with help members find the truth worth of being involved with the RPs. What might someone be surprised to know about you? - I think people would be surprised to know how motivated I am to succeed with both my jobs and in the Beloit community all while being a single mom.

B Lab, B Corp, B Corp movement? Let's explain what this actually means 👇 ➡️ B Corp - Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are companies verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. ➡️ B Lab - B Lab is the nonprofit network transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. There are currently over 20 B Labs supporting the growth of the movement in different regions across the globe. ➡️ B Corp movement - The B Corp movement is a global movement of People Using Business as a Force for Good®. This contains B Corps, B Leaders, B Lab, partner organizations, businesses that use our tools, and individuals who support our mission. Find more information on our website: https://lnkd.in/dhT9MbDP #BCorp #BCorpCertification #bcorpmovement #sustainability

Get to know our CEO, Kirk Jowers, in an interview with The World of Direct Selling. 🌎 Kirk admits that no high school counselor would suggest his unique career path. From working in academia, at several law firms in Washington DC, and providing legal and political advice to congressional and gubernatorial candidates, Fortune 500 corporations, nonprofit organizations, and five presidential campaigns, Kirk has had a robust career. Kirk explains why he was initially drawn to doTERRA, it's direct-selling model, and focus on sustainable and ethical sourcing. His greatest hope is to serve doTERRA and our Wellness Advocates for the remainder of his career. Read all about here: https://loom.ly/pM7vVR0

Great article on knowing the why and learning the how of being on a board. Read if you've never been on a board, have a couple under your belt or want to be more focused. #governance #boards

Local leaders who 'get it' | Our final story in this series features the joint CEO's of CareSouth - an innovative community-based organisation making a real difference in people's lives. For many, its lonely at the top, but these co-ceo stars are bringing their unique skills together to make a formidable force. Learn how their roles work and what they've learned from each other at: https://lnkd.in/gg-xfbEj