‘Strength in Numbers’: 10 EO Women Share How Mentorship, Community, and a Day of Celebration Are Empowering Their Rise in Business

‘Strength in Numbers’: 10 EO Women Share How Mentorship, Community, and a Day of Celebration Are Empowering Their Rise in Business

19 November 2024

While Women’s Entrepreneurship Day is a day of recognition for the impressive achievements of women entrepreneurs the world over, it is also a day to shine a light on the lesser visible networks of mentors and communities that uplift and empower women in business despite headwinds, all year long. Yes, progress has been made in making entrepreneurship more accessible and equitable to women, but report after report reveals that work still remains to dismantle lagging barriers.

We asked women business owners across EO’s global network to share what they think is so important about mentorship, a sense of belonging, and this special day in particular, to empower their entrepreneurship journey.

The Lifeline of Mentorship

“Honestly, without mentors I would not be successful,” reflected multi-published author, engineer, coach and speaker, Shivani Gupta of EO’s APAC Platinum One Bridge Chapter. “They have shared experiences when I was stuck on an issue. It may have taken me 10 times longer to do by myself.”

Shivani’s words capture the essence of mentorship—a relationship that accelerates growth and provides clarity during challenges. For many women entrepreneurs, mentors are more than advisors; they’re champions who encourage them to dream bigger.

High Tide Global founder Hazel Ortega of EO’s LAC Bridge Chapter, which serves entrepreneurs across Latin America and the Caribbean, recalled how mentorship shaped her entrepreneurial journey. “Coming from a challenging background, mentorship gave me the guidance and belief that transformation was possible. These relationships have not only helped me navigate complex situations but also empowered me to give back and mentor others facing similar struggles.”

Mentorship’s impact is clear in the stories of countless EO members and women beyond. As Canadian Ambassador for Women's Entrepreneurship Day and President of Nexus Exhibits, Milena Radakovic (EO Calgary) highlighted a striking statistic: entrepreneurs in Canada with mentors are five times more likely to launch and scale their businesses successfully. “That’s certainly true in my experience,” she said.

The Power of Community

According to a World Economic Forum review of the 2022-2023 Women’s Entrepreneurship Report by The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, one in four women entrepreneurs expect to see growth within five years by employing six or more people. Those numbers rise when considering lower-income economies (one in three), and in North America specifically (two in five). The WEF goes on to interpret these survey results by observing that “women are challenging common stereotypes that portray them as disadvantaged in business leadership.”

That may be good and true, but according to many EO women we heard from, a key enabling condition for rejecting such limiting stereotypes lies in the bedrock of community. Whereas one-to-one mentorship can offer deeply personal guidance, community provides a sense of belonging—a crucial factor in the often-isolating journey of entrepreneurship.

“My EO tribe has been the golden thread in my business successes,” says Nicola Nel, Global Managing Director for PROI Worldwide and member of EO Cape Town. “I built, scaled, and sold two businesses while with EO.”

For visual artist and entrepreneur Nicole Loeb of EO Boston, her community is a source of strength and clarity. “My community is everything to me. I am so lucky to be surrounded by a diverse group of people who are honest, brilliant, and sincere. They have asked me questions that have made me think about my choices, given insight into areas I had not considered, and reassured me when I lost my confidence.”

EO communities also serve as a bridge to belonging, as personal branding expert and entrepreneur Marina Byezhanova of EO’s Canada Bridge Chapter shared. “As an immigrant, a search for a community became an integral part of my personal story. The very first time I felt a deep sense of belonging was at an EO recruitment event in Montreal. Joining EO’s Accelerator community doubled my revenue within one year without increasing headcount!”

The value of such networks extends far beyond business. For Maria Gergova-Bengtsson, a member of EO’s South East Europe Chapter and owner of leading Bulgarian PR firm, United Partners, the key factor is connection on a human level. “Being part of a community keeps me grounded but also reminds me I’m not alone. It’s not just about business; it’s about having people to celebrate with and lean on when things get tough.”

Nicola echoed that enthusiasm. “Women’s superpower is that they care, and they are supportive. Don’t do life alone—do it with other EO women." 

Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs on Women’s Entrepreneurship Day

For women in EO and beyond, Women’s Entrepreneurship Day is deeply personal; a celebration of how far we have come, a reminder of the challenges we yet face, and an opportunity to inspire the next generation of women business owners.

“Although more than 50% of small businesses are run by women, many are unable to scale or see themselves as entrepreneurs,” Shivani added. “We need to change this paradigm. More women entrepreneurs can create different choices for themselves and inspire the next generation.” 

Team Spark Advisors founder Tiffany Slowinski (EO New Jersey) shared what the day means to her as a mother of four daughters. “Women’s Entrepreneurship Day is close to my heart. I want my girls to grow up knowing they, too, can be entrepreneurs if they choose. I hope to inspire them to pursue their passions and dreams.” 

Civil litigation law firm owner and author Jasmine Daya of EO Toronto reminded us that conditions for women entrepreneurs are far from equal everywhere, and the day is an important opportunity to call attention to that.

“There are places in the world where women are not allowed to be educated. There are places in the world where, if there are limited funds, they will be put toward the son’s education and not that of the daughter. Recognizing female entrepreneurs provides hope to women everywhere that just maybe it’s possible. There is strength in numbers.”

For Maria, the day embodies progress and resilience. “This day is a chance to celebrate all the incredible women building, creating, and leading, despite challenges. It’s a reminder that we’re part of something bigger. When I see other women succeeding, it motivates me to keep pushing forward and create opportunities for the next generation.” 

“But it is not just about celebrating,” she added. “It’s about continuing to break down barriers and making sure that the women who come after us have an easier path. For me, that’s what this day is really about—progress, support, and lifting each other up.” 

Lifting Each Other Up 

Countless women within the EO community know that success is rarely a solo endeavor. It is built on shared experiences, support, and the belief that together, we will continue breaking barriers and achieving our full potential to move the world forward. 

“As women, we often grapple with imposter syndrome and self-doubt,” personal coach and growth partner Sarah Moody of EO San Francisco thoughtfully added. “Surrounding yourself with women who see your potential helps bridge that gap—you ‘borrow their belief’ until you build your own.” 

Women’s Entrepreneurship Day reminds us that, while entrepreneurship can sometimes feel like a party of one, for women especially, success may best be pursued as a shared experience. It is about the mentors who guide us, the communities that support us, and the collective belief that we can achieve remarkable things together.