And the Winners Are…Botox Cosmetic Announces the Winners of the IFundWomen Grant Program
From more than 6,500 applications, 20 women-owned businesses were selected to each receive a $25,000 grant and year-long coaching and mentorship.
Twenty female entrepreneurs will receive funding and mentorship through Allergan’s BOTOX Cosmetic and IFundWomen grant program.
"There were so many remarkable applications that featured thoughtful business solutions," says Carrie Strom, President, Global Allergan Aesthetics and Senior Vice President, AbbVie, in a news release."BOTOX Cosmetic was born out of the entrepreneurial spirit and its more than 20-year history is rooted in people seeing a challenge and finding an answer. Each of the women selected to receive a grant saw a need for change and set out to make a positive difference in the world. We are thrilled to celebrate them and support their businesses."
In the coming months, the grant recipients will engage in a 10-week Crowdfunding Accelerator Program and learn from experts in various fields. The intensive coaching program curriculum will include important business topics such as network mapping, content marketing, social media, public relations, and crowdfunding for their business, helping them to further refine and optimize their strategies. In addition to the IFundWomen coaches, leaders from BOTOX Cosmetic will be joining the coaching staff for the Accelerator Program, which is a first for IFundWomen's partnerships.
"As a woman entrepreneur myself, I know how hard it can be to overcome the 'Confidence Gap.' Every day we find ourselves questioning if we have what it takes, and sometimes all we need to find that resounding 'yes' is a little bit of affirmation from the outside world," says Michelle Henry, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist, mohs durgeon and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan. "I am honored to be a part of the advisory group alongside my peers to help provide these women with that affirmation. Each one of these women and their businesses are doing important work and are so deserving of these grants."
In addition to Dr. Henry, the entrepreneur healthcare professionals who aided in the grant recipient selection included Camille G. Cash, MD, plastic surgeon and founder of Camille G. Cash, MD Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; Shawna Chrisman, nurse practitioner and founder of Destination Aesthetics; Terrence Keaney, MD, FAAD, dermatologist and founder of SkinDC; Caroline Robinson, MD, FAAD, dermatologist and founder of Tone Dermatology; Sherly Soleiman, MD, founder and medical director of Cosmetic Injectables Center; and Yvette Suarez, MD, FAAMM, founder and owner of Bella Excellence.
"The funding and mentorship that I am receiving through this program for my business are truly transformative and will help ensure our continued success," says Maria Palacio, Co-Founder of Progeny Coffee. "I look forward to building lifelong connections with the other entrepreneurs participating in this program, as well as the amazing individuals I am meeting at BOTOX Cosmetic and IFundWomen. Receiving this grant further reinforces for me that I've got something special here and it's an honor to be recognized. When people come together, we all rise together."
The grant winners and their businesses are:
- Adorn Me Africa – Elorm Dela-Seshie (Boston, Mass.) – @adornmeafrica
- Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs – Monika Jefferson (Hampton, Va.) – @amseagency
- BlackTravelBox® – Orion Brown (Denver, Colo.) – @blacktravelbox
- Bri's Dance Place – Brianna Hairlson (Gary, Ind.) – @brisdanceplace
- Everviolet – Keira Kotler (San Anselmo, Calif.) – @everviolet
- Fourplay Social – Danielle Dietzek and Julie Griggs (New York, N.Y.) – @fourplaydating
- Grounded – Danuelle Doswell and Mignon Hemsley (Washington, D.C.) – @groun.ded
- InFlow Entertainment – Lisa Crnic (Los Angeles, Calif.) – @inflow_entertainment
- Kola Goodies – Sajani Amarasiri (San Francisco, Calif.) – @kolagoodies
- Love Cork Screw – Chrishon Lampley (Chicago, Ill.) – @lovecorkscrew
- Makhers Studio – Wanona Satcher (Atlanta, Ga.) – @makhersstudio
- Money News Network – Nicole Lapin (Los Angeles, Calif.) – @moneynews
- No Limbits – Erica Cole (Richmond, Va.) – @no.limbits
- Nomads Swimwear – Taylor Long (Atlanta, Ga.) – @nomadsswimwear
- Postal Petals – Talia Boone (Los Angeles, Calif.) – @postalpetals
- Progeny Coffee – Maria Palacio (Palo Alto, Calif.) – @progeny_coffee
- Southern Roots Vegan Bakery – Cara Pitts (Converse, Texas) – @southernrootsbiz
- SWAIR – Carrie Sporer and Meredith Krill (New York, N.Y.) – @swairhair
- The Coven – Alex Steinman and Erinn Farrell (Minneapolis, Minn.) – @thecoven.co
- TJL Collection – Tiffany Jones Lewis (Arlington, Texas) – @tjl_collection