Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs at the 2025 Entrepreneurs of Purpose Retreat

In March 2025, the Gatsby Showcase Foundation advanced its commitment to women’s economic empowerment through participation in the Women’s Business Collaborative (WBC) Entrepreneurs of Purpose Retreat, held March 7–8 at the historic Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC.

Representing the Foundation’s mission to expand access to opportunity for historically marginalized communities, Laura Fote, Co-Founder of the Gatsby Showcase Foundation and CEO of L&B Concepts, served as a featured speaker during the Voices of Entrepreneurs of Purpose workshop. The retreat convened women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers committed to purpose-driven leadership and inclusive economic growth.

Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), the Foundation’s participation emphasized the role of women entrepreneurs as catalysts for local, national, and global impact.

During her session, Fote shared strategies grounded in leadership, collaboration, resilience, and innovation, highlighting how entrepreneurship can serve as a powerful pathway to economic mobility and community transformation.

Leadership in Challenging Times

The retreat took place amid a national climate in which diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have faced increasing resistance across both public and private institutions. Against this backdrop, the Entrepreneurs of Purpose Retreat emphasized unity, resilience, and collective leadership among women entrepreneurs.

WBC Chairwoman Edie Fraser underscored this spirit with a reflection from Maya Angelou:

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”

Entrepreneurship as Action and Impact

Drawing from real-world experience, Fote illustrated how entrepreneurship can drive tangible impact during times of crisis. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, she leveraged international supply-chain networks to source and distribute more than 20,000 masks, supporting frontline healthcare workers during a period of critical shortage—an example of mission-driven leadership in action.

She also shared her experience as the first Black woman to retail Moser crystal, navigating systemic and bureaucratic barriers to enter a traditionally exclusive market. This milestone reinforced the Foundation’s advocacy for equity and inclusion in business sectors historically inaccessible to women of color.

Addressing Access to Capital and Opportunity

Access to capital remains one of the most persistent barriers facing women entrepreneurs. During the retreat, Fote offered practical guidance rooted in lived experience—emphasizing financial readiness, credit management, and persistence as essential tools for long-term success.

She concluded with a message centered on confidence, ambition, and the power of networks, encouraging emerging entrepreneurs to leverage relationships and collective support to overcome systemic challenges.

Building Platforms for Inclusive Growth

Through participation in convenings such as the Entrepreneurs of Purpose Retreat, the Gatsby Showcase Foundation continues to elevate women entrepreneurs, amplify underrepresented voices, and foster ecosystems that support sustainable and inclusive economic empowerment.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Alignment

• SDG 5 – Gender Equality
  Advancing women’s leadership and economic empowerment by supporting women entrepreneurs and amplifying their voices in business and policy spaces.

• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
  Promoting entrepreneurship, workforce participation, and inclusive economic growth through leadership development and access to opportunity.

• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
  Addressing systemic barriers faced by women and historically marginalized entrepreneurs through advocacy, mentorship, and visibility.

• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
  Strengthening impact through collaboration with national business networks such as the Women’s Business Collaborative.