Here in Frederick and across America, small businesses are at the heart of our communities. Our local entrepreneurs are what make Frederick a hub of innovation and economic growth, as well as one of the most livable cities in America. However, the road to running a successful business is far from simple. Moreover, research shows that these entrepreneurial challenges are significantly heightened for women and minority business owners. Access to capital, language barriers, and discrimination are all examples of barriers to entry that can prevent hopeful entrepreneurs from launching their business ventures.
This summer, our interns, Emma and Rowena, having been working hard to understand what we in Frederick can do to make the business community more accessible to innovators and entrepreneurs of all backgrounds. As a part of that project, Emma and Rowena interviewed nine Frederick entrepreneurs who identify as women or minorities, with the hopes of highlighting their unique stories of how they achieved success in the face of adversity.
Interested in starting your own business? Check out our resources for minority and women business owners.