History

Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs ("AWE") began in January of 1984 at a local woman-owned restaurant. Grand Rapids women business owners attended the meeting to share their experiences and to create a network of businesswomen who shared common issues, interests, and needs. The purpose of that first gathering in 1984 is still an essential element of AWE today.

From the beginning, AWE has had the support of state and community officials and leaders. In 1986, AWE staged Business Showcase '86, a trade show featuring products and services of West Michigan women business owners. The two-day event drew attention to diversity and the number of area businesses operated by women.

AWE evolved at a time when there were few community resources for small business owners, much less women entrepreneurs. AWE has filled that gap by fostering an awareness of female entrepreneurship in Grand Rapids and meeting the needs at a local level of what has become a national phenomenon; the increasing number of businesses owned and/or managed by women.

AWE has become an important and valued resource and advocate for West Michigan women professionals. AWE provides outstanding educational programs for women at all levels on entrepreneurship. AWE membership gives members a solid support base for networking with other women professionals, and the organization works to provide current information on trends at the state and national levels that will impact Grand Rapids' business owners.

AWE was founded to advocate, promote, and facilitate growth and prosperity of its members. AWE continues to honor the original precepts of its founding:

To encourage, support, and promote women professionals and business owners
To provide a unique networking opportunity among women professionals
To provide educational programs that will benefit AWE members
To provide scholarship opportunities to AWE members

AWE continues to offer a wide range of benefits to its members. For more information regarding AWE's history, benefits, or how to join AWE, please contact AWE's Membership Coordinator, at membership@awe-westmichigan.org or view the board member page for more contact information.

Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs • PO Box 68512 • Grand Rapids, Michigan 49516
616-719-5382 • info@awe-westmichigan.org



	History Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs ("AWE") began in January of 1984 at a local woman-owned restaurant. Grand Rapids women business owners attended the meeting to share their experiences and to create a network of businesswomen who shared common issues, interests, and needs. The purpose of that first gathering in 1984 is still an essential element of AWE today. From the beginning, AWE has had the support of state and community officials and leaders. In 1986, AWE staged Business Showcase '86, a trade show featuring products and services of West Michigan women business owners. The two-day event drew attention to diversity and the number of area businesses operated by women. AWE evolved at a time when there were few community resources for small business owners, much less women entrepreneurs. AWE has filled that gap by fostering an awareness of female entrepreneurship in Grand Rapids and meeting the needs at a local level of what has become a national phenomenon; the increasing number of businesses owned and/or managed by women. AWE has become an important and valued resource and advocate for West Michigan women professionals. AWE provides outstanding educational programs for women at all levels on entrepreneurship. AWE membership gives members a solid support base for networking with other women professionals, and the organization works to provide current information on trends at the state and national levels that will impact Grand Rapids' business owners. AWE was founded to advocate, promote, and facilitate growth and prosperity of its members. AWE continues to honor the original precepts of its founding: To encourage, support, and promote women professionals and business owners To provide a unique networking opportunity among women professionals To provide educational programs that will benefit AWE members To provide scholarship opportunities to AWE members AWE continues to offer a wide range of benefits to its members. For more information regarding AWE's history, benefits, or how to join AWE, please contact AWE's Membership Coordinator, at membership@awe-westmichigan.org or view the board member page for more contact information.