AEO (Association for Enterprise Opportunity)

This Women’s History Month, join AEO for our Equity and Opportunity for All webinar. Dive into insights from our new fact sheet and hear from trailblazing experts and leaders as we explore how to ensure women have the resources and support they need to thrive. Join us and be part of the movement to empower women in business!

?? One Year of Impact: AEO’s Year in Review ?? Over the past year, AEO, under the leadership of President & CEO Natalie Madeira Cofield, has made tremendous strides in advancing economic opportunity for small businesses and the organizations that serve them. From launching Regional Councils and groundbreaking research to strengthening strategic partnerships and advocating for policy change, we have been working to create a more inclusive and thriving small business ecosystem. As we reflect on these accomplishments, we remain focused on the future—scaling regional engagement, deepening partnerships, and driving forward policy priorities that support small business growth. Join us in celebrating this milestone and see what’s ahead for AEO in Year Two: https://lnkd.in/gnRV79Ct #AEO #YearInReview #SmallBusinessGrowth #EconomicOpportunity #Entrepreneurship #OneYearAtAEO

Encouraging Update for CDFIs and Small Businesses The Treasury Department has reaffirmed the important role that?Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)?play in expanding access to capital and technical assistance for small businesses across the country. In response to industry advocacy, the Treasury Secretary stated: "This Administration recognizes the important role that the CDFI Fund and CDFIs play in expanding access to capital and providing technical assistance to communities across the United States... and looks forward to future engagement with CDFIs and other stakeholders to strengthen the impact of these statutory programs and incentivize economic opportunities for all Americans." This recognition is a positive step toward strengthening CDFI programs and ensuring that small business owners—particularly those in historically capital-limited communities—can access the resources they need to grow and sustain their businesses. Continued engagement with Treasury, OMB, and stakeholders will be critical to advancing policies that enhance CDFI impact and expand economic opportunity. Looking forward to supporting efforts that drive meaningful progress in access to capital. Read our full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eTfvayGm #CDFIs #SmallBusiness #EconomicGrowth #AccessToCapital

The AEO (Association for Enterprise Opportunity) stands with our industry colleagues in expressing deep concern regarding the recent executive order,?Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy, issued on March 14, 2025. While this order does not eliminate the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund or the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) entirely, it significantly reduces their budgets to only statutory minimums. These reductions could result in diminished staff capacity, scaled-back programming, and the elimination of critical initiatives that have historically supported small businesses and economic development efforts across the country. We look forward to working with the Trump Administration to ensure the growth of entrepreneurialism continues. Read our official statement below: https://lnkd.in/ezCc2jXD

?? Celebrating Women’s History Month with AEO! ?? We’re thrilled to invite you to our upcoming webinar, EmpowerHer: Women Shaping the Future of Business, on March 19. This inspiring event will dive into the findings from our newly released Women Business Ownership Fact Sheet, showcasing the incredible impact women entrepreneurs have on the U.S. economy. Together, we’ll explore the unique challenges women business owners face, the opportunities for growth, and how we can all collaborate to ensure equitable access to the resources and support needed for their continued success. Join us for this important conversation and help us empower women entrepreneurs across the nation. Speakers include: Natalie Madeira Cofield, President & CEO, Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)? Dr. Shadiin Garcia (she/her/hers) Garcia, Executive Director, Native Women Lead??? Nic Cober, Esquire, Founder, The BOW Collective? Jen Earle, CEO, National Association of Women Business Owners? LeeAnn Rasachak, CEO, WomenVenture? VR Small, Founder & CEO, Veteran Women's Enterprise Center?? Dr. Shakenna K. Williams Williams, Executive Director, Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership, Babson College?? Lori Diane Smith, PhD, Senior Research Associate, AEO RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gpUkAWC9 #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenEntrepreneurs #EmpowerHer #BusinessOwnership #EquityAndOpportunityForAll #AEO?

???Join us in #Dallas on April 8, 2025!??? The?Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)?is excited to host the?South Central: Regional Council Convening?at the?Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas! ?? This powerful convening will bring together?leaders in small business, entrepreneurship, and economic development to explore how?regional collaboration?can drive?growth and opportunity?for businesses across the South Central region. ???Featured speakers include: Natalie Madeira Cofield, President & CEO, AEO Roberto Coronado, Senior VP & Senior Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas C. Travis Johnson, Louisiana State Representative VR Small, CEO, Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center Eric Wall, Deputy Director, U.S. Small Business Administration And many more influential voices! ?? Don't miss this?important conversation?on leveraging?regionalism to support small businesses! ???When:?April 8, 2025 ???Where:?Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas ???Learn more & register:?https://lnkd.in/eFamyqUq #AEOWorks #SmallBusiness #RegionalEconomy #Entrepreneurship #AEORegionalCouncils #EconomicOpportunity

?? This Women’s History Month, AEO is proud to uplift the voices and impact of women entrepreneurs through data-driven insights and action. Women-owned businesses are a powerful force in our economy—driving innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening communities. Yet, they continue to face persistent barriers in accessing capital, networks, and resources. Our latest fact sheet and upcoming event highlight these challenges and the opportunities to foster a more inclusive and equitable small business ecosystem—offering key takeaways for policymakers, funders, and advocates dedicated to advancing economic equity. ?? Read our latest insights and message from CEO Natalie Madeira Cofield: ?? https://lnkd.in/gTbtH9JD #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenEntrepreneurs #EquityAndOpportunityForAll #AEOWorks #SmallBusinessResearch

?? In celebration of Women’s History Month, AEO is excited to share our latest Women’s Business Ownership Fact Sheet, highlighting the dynamic contributions of women entrepreneurs across the nation. Women-owned businesses are driving innovation, creating jobs, and contributing more than $2.5 trillion annually to the U.S. economy. This fact sheet underscores the resilience and impact of women entrepreneurs and the importance of continued support for their success. ?? On March 19, join us for our Equity and Opportunity for All webinar, EmpowerHer: Women Shaping the Future of Business. We’ll dive into the insights from the fact sheet, addressing the challenges and opportunities women business owners face. Together, we’ll explore how we can ensure women entrepreneurs have the resources and support they need to thrive. Speakers include: Natalie Madeira Cofield, President & CEO, Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)? Dr. Shadiin Garcia (she/her/hers) Garcia, Executive Director, Native Women Lead??? Nic Cober, Esquire, Founder, The BOW Collective? Jen Earle, CEO, National Association of Women Business Owners? LeeAnn Rasachak, CEO, WomenVenture? VR Small, Founder & CEO, Veteran Women's Enterprise Center?? Dr. Shakenna K. Williams, Executive Director, Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership, Babson College?? Lori Diane Smith, PhD, Senior Research Associate, AEO RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gpUkAWC9 #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenEntrepreneurs #EmpowerHer #BusinessOwnership #EquityAndOpportunityForAll #AEO

???Exciting News from AEO!??? We are thrilled to announce a?landmark partnership?between the?Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)?and?Small Business Majority?aimed at strengthening the?nationwide small business ecosystem. This transformative agreement will expand support for small businesses across the country, ensuring entrepreneurs and small business owners have access to the resources, networks, and opportunities they need to thrive. At AEO, we believe small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and this partnership represents a major step toward advancing economic growth, equity, and opportunity for all. ???Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/eaPWetfZ Pictured below: Natalie Madeira Cofield, CEO of AEO, and John Arensmeyer, Founder & CEO, Small Business Majority #SmallBusiness #Partnership #EcosystemGrowth #Entrepreneurship #EconomicOpportunity #SmallBizSupport #AEOWorks #BusinessGrowth

Join us tomorrow for the next installment of our Equity and Opportunity for All webinar series as we celebrate Black History Month with a dynamic virtual event that highlights the resilience, creativity, and contributions of Black entrepreneurs. Our panelists will share valuable insights from their work and offer perspectives on how we can build a small business ecosystem where all entrepreneurs can thrive.