Guest: Kristy Wallace, CEO of Ellevate Network, a global community for professional women redefining how women network in a digital age. Kristy is a regular speaker and thought leader on Leadership, Diversity, Social Entrepreneurship, Networking, and Entrepreneurialism, and an Angel Investor with Pipeline Angels and Portfolia; a Member of the UN Women Global Innovation Coalition for Change and more.
In 2018, 30 million small businesses accounted for 99.9% of all U.S. companies, employing 60 million people, or nearly half of all U.S. employees – and small businesses have also created more than 65% of all new jobs over the past twenty years. We need to address the main obstacles keeping small business, particularly those of women and minorities, from achieving sustainability. Research shows that in recent years, the most significant growth in entrepreneurship was among women and underrepresented populations. But, unfortunately, these groups are also the ones facing the most challenges in our workplaces. We must make sure that small businesses are able to create positive social impact, that they are embraced and supported, by reducing inequality, lowering levels of poverty, and creating more high quality jobs with dignity and purpose.
