What started as a movement to continue the positive momentum from International Women’s Day has evolved into a full fledged campaign to help elevate other local female entrepreneurs.
Empowered women empowering women
“Our first quarter contest was such a success, we couldn’t wait to get started on Q2,” Sarah Feldmann, owner of Rogue Wave Marketing, said. “It’s so empowering to see these local women, many of whom are also moms, wives, and how many other roles they fill – it’s so empowering to see them so fired up to grow, to evolve, to take action and excel to a whole new level!”
Last quarter’s winner was Brittany Kurtzhals of Holding Space Birth. In her application, Brittany talked about wanting to grow her doula service beyond just the startup phase. After her strategy session with Feldmann, her dream grew.
“What I really want to do is grow this into a type of doula-collective in the next five years, somewhere that’s a resource for helping women with all aspects of birth from midwifery services to chiropractic care,” Kurtzhals said. “Birth is about relationships, that’s really what matters to me.”
Applicants complete a short questionnaire, send a video to Rogue Wave Marketing’s Facebook page and, once approved, share their story to aim for the most votes via “Likes” for their video. The winner receives a total website package and marketing coaching, worth $7,500.
- Professional website consultation to determine site structure, layout, look and feel.
- Custom-crafted content, reflecting the individual winner’s style and voice.
- Responsive, meaning the site will adapt no matter what device it’s pulled up on (mobile device, tablet or desktop computers).
- Carefully chosen stock photography so the right message is conveyed.
- One-on-one marketing coaching session to map out the winner’s target market, and what steps to take to align their marketing with that group.
The second quarter campaign runs from June 7, through July 7. Subsequent run from Sept. 6 through Oct. 6, as well as throughout 2020 when four more competitions will be held on a quarterly basis.
The winner of the second quarter contest will be announced July 12. Complete information and contest rules are here.
Ready to apply?
Fill out the form here & send us your video via ‘Send a Message’ on the Rogue Wave Facebook page!
APPLY NOW!
“Women-owned start-ups have historically lagged behind their male counterparts,” says Feldmann. “With this ongoing program, we aim to help women entrepreneurs succeed.
Wisconsin has one of the best climates for a woman-owned startup, according to the Milwaukee Business Journal. But a recent study by Biz2Credit revealed that women who apply for business loans typically get 45 percent less in funding than their male counterparts.
How to win a free website
To win the website and related marketing, women whose businesses are no more than two years old are asked to do three things: 1) complete an online form about their business, 2) create a short video about their reasons and inspiration for starting their business, and 3) get the most “likes” of their video on Rogue Wave Marketing’s Facebook page.
Feldmann says the “passion” part of the entry is key.
“The video is not about video creation skills. It should focus on your ‘why,’ the fire, the passion that drives you to do something bigger and bolder than ever before. We want to get behind you and your mission – we want you to tell us what you’ll do with the momentum.”
Runners-up receive a one-hour marketing strategy session to help leverage their business.
Wisconsin has one of the best climates for a woman-owned startup, according to the Milwaukee Business Journal, yet a recent study by Biz2Credit revealed that women who apply for business loans typically get 45 percent less in funding than their male counterparts.
“It’s time to not just level the playing field, but flip it.”
“It’s time to not just level the playing field, but flip it,” says Feldmann. “By donating a website, we’re providing a key building block to success, insuring your customers or clients can find you and understand what you do.
“We’ve all heard the quote that behind every successful woman is their ‘tribe of support,’” says Feldmann. “We’re going to create that tribe for every women-owned startup we can.
“We’re taking the excitement we all felt during these ‘empowering women’ days and doing something meaningful, something ongoing, something that can keep women winning.”
November’s event to celebrate women entrepreneurs
A day-long learning and networking event of workshops and speakers is also being planned for November for everyone who enters this year’s contests, as well as women entrepreneurs and “want-to-be” entrepreneurs throughout southeastern Wisconsin.
“The event will focus on firing up women business owners, harnessing their passion and providing skills that further help them in leveraging their new businesses,” Feldmann says.
A Wisconsin native who launched her first marketing business in 2013, Feldmann says she’s wanted to do something to support women entrepreneurs since she was a start-up.
“A business plan matters, it’s key to your success – but even more so, you need determination. It’s a mindset. If you stop focusing on ‘what if’ and ‘someday,’ and decide to make it TODAY, the fear fades and real change starts to happen.
“I was talking with my business coach about doing it someday, and he said, ‘Why someday? Why not now?’”
You can find more information and contest rules are here.
Ready to apply?
Fill out the form here & send us your video via ‘Send a Message’ on the Rogue Wave Facebook page!
