Closing the Wealth Gap Through Self-Employment – Women of Color Achieving the American Dream

Women’s Initiative for Self Employment has found that microenterprise is a highly successful strategy for increasing household wealth as well as income. In 2008 we completed a decade-long study of our clients’ asset growth after completing our 20-session business management course, Simple Steps to Business Success. The study collected and analyzed empirical data which shows that business ownership is particularly effective in bridging the wealth gap for women of color who receive culturally-competent training and resources to start and grow their own businesses.