Xcelerate Women

With Small Business Saturday just around the corner, we celebrate the powerful impact small businesses have on our communities. In 2023, U.S. consumers spent an estimated $17 billion supporting independent retailers and restaurants, contributing to the $201 billion in total spending since Small Business Saturday began in 2010. Small businesses are more than just places to shop—they are the heart of our neighborhoods. They create jobs, preserve local culture, and give back 250% more to non-profits and causes that matter. And for us, one of the most inspiring parts of this work is connecting with the incredible women who are building their dreams from the ground up. These women are not just running businesses; they’re creating vibrant, connected communities. This holiday season, we invite you to shop small and local—not just on Small Business Saturday, but throughout the season. By supporting women-owned businesses, you're investing directly in the growth of your community. And even if you can’t shop, sharing your love for a local business is a meaningful way to help. To make shopping local even more rewarding, we’re giving you the chance to win an incredible gift card bundle from some of Portland’s most beloved women-owned businesses. When you donate just $10 or more to our Willamette Week's Give!Guide campaign between Black Friday (Nov. 29) and Giving Tuesday (Dec. 3), you’ll be automatically entered to win a $650 prize pack that includes gift cards to brands like Malka Diamonds & Jewelry, Way of Being, The Yo Store, and more! By participating, you’re not only treating yourself or a loved one to something special, but you’re also supporting the women entrepreneurs who help make our communities stronger. Want to shop local but not sure where to start? Explore our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide and see all the amazing businesses you can support this season. Together, we can uplift the amazing women-owned businesses that make our community shine. ?? https://lnkd.in/gyqfc-rQ

Small Biz Spotlight: Meet Laura of Revive Athletics and Anna of Experimental Vintage! ? ?This holiday season, we're shining a light on our incredible Give!Guide retail partners—local, women-owned businesses that are making a difference in our community! ? Laura, founder of Revive Athletics, is on a mission to make high-quality activewear more accessible while tackling the challenges of textile waste. Revive Athletics is Portland’s go-to for premium secondhand athleisure, helping more people embrace health and wellness without the hefty price tag. Laura is passionate about extending the life of clothing and building a community around positive movement. ? ? Anna, owner of Experimental Vintage, curates stunning lifestyle vintage finds, including rugs, art, and home decor. Anna’s shop is a haven for unique, sustainable treasures that bring charm and warmth to any space. Her commitment to finding thrifted gems proves that you don’t need a big budget to create a beautiful, welcoming home. ? When you shop local this holiday season, you’re supporting small businesses that are doing big things for sustainability, accessibility, and community.? Today is a Give!Guide Big Give Day! Donate $10 or more to Xcelerate Women for a chance to win a $500 gift card from Powell’s Books! Under age 36? You’ll have two chances to win. Plus, anyone who donates today will also receive a $5 gift card from Happy Anyway. Donate to our Give!Guide campaign here: https://lnkd.in/gAC7SfJf ? ??? MARK YOUR CALENDAR! We are GIFTING BIG in honor of Small Business Saturday. Every donation of $10 or more to Xcelerate Women between Nov. 29 - Dec. 3 will be entered to win the Shop Local Package-a gift card bundle to some of Portland's best shops valued at $650!!!

This week, Give!Guide is shining a light on nonprofits in the Human Services category, and we’re honored to highlight The Cupcake Girls. ?? Did you know The Cupcake Girls started with a box of pink cupcakes? These treats were an icebreaker during outreach visits, sparking conversations and connections in Las Vegas clubs. The name stuck, and today, The Cupcake Girls continue to represent kindness, nonjudgmental support, and empowerment for those involved in the sex industry and survivors of sex trafficking. Through advocacy, mentorship, and holistic resources, they’re creating a world where everyone feels safe and empowered to thrive—mentally, emotionally, physically, and beyond. ?? We’re proud to highlight The Cupcake Girls and their incredible work. Support their vision of a world where all sex workers are safe and supported—make a donation to their Give!Guide campaign today! ?? G!VE to The Cupcake Girls here: https://lnkd.in/gj_8w6Ca

Small Business Spotlight: Meet Alex Gamboa Grand of Way of Being and Vajra of Monochromatic This holiday season, we’re proud to highlight our incredible Willamette Week's Give!Guide retail partners—local, women-owned businesses making an impact in our community! Alex Gamboa Grand, co-founder of Way of Being, runs a low-waste shop in SE Portland offering sustainable alternatives to everyday essentials. Alex and her co-founder built their business to empower individuals who want to tackle big challenges, like the climate crisis, through thoughtful, sustainable choices. Vajra, owner of Monochromatic, leads a boutique in NE Portland committed to pronoun-inclusive, ethically made clothing with a playful workwear vibe. More than a shop, Monochromatic is a space of inclusivity and empowerment, celebrating humans in all their uniqueness. By shopping local this holiday season, you’re not just finding thoughtful gifts—you’re supporting small businesses and helping these entrepreneurs continue to inspire and create meaningful change. Keep an eye out for our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide, featuring handpicked gifts from our retail business partners. It goes live on Black Friday, just in time to make your holiday shopping both intentional and impactful.

For Aria Joughin, resilience starts with empowerment.? ? As the founder of MakeWith Collaborative and MakeWith Hardware & Learning Center, Aria is building more than a business—they’re building a space for community learning and empowerment. Aria saw a need for something different—a place where anyone, especially women, queer/trans, and BIPOC folks, could build practical skills for everyday resilience. From mending clothes to emergency preparedness, MakeWith offers workshops and tools that empower people to take care of themselves and each other.? ? With Xcelerate's guidance, Aria has worked to strengthen their financial strategy, refine projections, and find the right funding to bring their vision of a brick-and-mortar store to life.? ? This holiday season, you can help us grow, inspire, amplify, and empower more business owners like Aria. Give to Xcelerate Women today through Give!Guide and be part of their journey! ? Today is a Give!Guide Big Give Day! Donate $10 or more to Xcelerate Women for a chance to win a $500 gift card from Backyard Bird Shop! Plus, the first 5 people who donate today will also receive a $10 gift card for home decor goods from Baan de Sol, a sustainable artisan-made lifestyle brand! Donate to our Give!Guide campaign here: https://lnkd.in/gAC7SfJf ? P.S. Every donation made today will also enter you to win the Business Class Package that includes: RT flight on Alaska Airlines, 3-month Open Desk Membership at VIDA Coworking and a 1-year Strategic Marketing Membership from Women Conquer Business.?

At Xcelerate Women, we’re dedicated to supporting Oregon’s women and gender-expansive business owners on their journeys to success. This year, we're thrilled to participate in Willamette Week's Give!Guide! for the first time—and we’re asking for your help to make it a success. When you donate to our campaign between Nov 1 and Dec 31, you’re not just contributing to our mission—you’ll also be entered to win our Business Class Package, featuring: ?? A roundtrip Alaska Airlines flight (no blackout dates) ?? A 3-month Open Desk Membership at VIDA Coworking ?? A 1-year Strategic Marketing Membership from Women Conquer Business Your support fuels our programs, helps us serve more business owners across Oregon, and amplifies the impact of women-owned businesses in their communities. ?? Here’s how you can help: 1?? Donate to our Give!Guide campaign: https://lnkd.in/gAC7SfJf 2?? Share our fundraiser with your network—tagging friends and colleagues who believe in empowering entrepreneurs. Together, we can change the face of success in business to be more ?inclusive, authentic, and sustainable. ?? *Alaska Air voucher is valued up to $1250 and is valid for Main cabin through October 11, 2025. ?? Good for travel anywhere Alaska Airlines flies, including Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, and the Bahamas with no blackout dates. Additional restrictions may apply.?

This week we’re excited to feature our Give!Guide nonprofit partner, Adelante Mujeres, an incredible organization dedicated to empowering Latine and immigrant communities through education, advocacy, business support, and health equity programs.? ? Since its founding, Adelante Mujeres has become a powerful force for change—serving over 15,000 individuals in 2022 alone. From early childhood education to mental health support, business coaching, and civic leadership training, Adelante Mujeres offers life-changing programs that uplift families and empower individuals to be leaders in their communities.? ? With programs rooted in the values of empowerment, resilience, and justice, Adelante Mujeres envisions a future where people of color, immigrants, and rural communities lead the way in building a just and inclusive society.? ? Together, with Adelante Mujeres, we can Spark a Brighter Future by providing the tools, education, and support needed to help Latine women thrive. Support their impactful work by donating to their Give!Guide campaign here: https://lnkd.in/gWgyX9PS

For Eleni Woldeyes, food is a cultural celebration! ????? ? Eleni's Kitchen brings the vibrant flavors of Ethiopia to adventurous kitchens through carefully crafted spice blends and sauces. Inspired by memories of her Addis Ababa childhood, Eleni’s mission is to share her culture with every jar of berbere and mitmita. What started as a passion project at local farmer’s markets has blossomed into a business with products now featured in stores like New Seasons Market and Market of Choice.? ? But it was through Xcelerate Women’s support that Eleni truly found her stride. From perfecting her product pricing to prepping for her first big tradeshow, Eleni worked with Xcelerate coaches to turn her vision into a reality. With their guidance, Eleni secured a mid-sized specialty food distributor and was named a trendsetter product at the Fancy Foods Show—a milestone that’s opened new doors and is bringing her closer to national expansion.? ? This Give!Guide season, you can help us grow, inspire, amplify, and empower more women business owners like Eleni. Give to Xcelerate Women today through Give!Guide and be part of their journey! Today is a Give!Guide Big Give Day! Donate $10 or more to Xcelerate Women for a chance to win an E-Bike from Splendid Cycles! Plus, anyone who donates today will also receive a $5 gift card from Way of Being! Donate to our Give!Guide campaign here: https://lnkd.in/gAC7SfJf

We’re thrilled to spotlight Ronesha Hayes as a Match Sponsor for our Give!Guide campaign. She’s pledged to match the first $1,000 we raise, doubling the impact of your donation! ? As the founder of Hayes Consulting and Coaching, a Minority and Women-Owned Business Management Agency, Ronesha is on a mission to break down barriers and empower clients with the resources they need to thrive. With partnerships like Mercatus and Portland Means Progress, she’s helping connect local BIPOC businesses to larger networks, creating a stronger, more inclusive future. ? Tomorrow is Give!Guide's Big Give Day, and not only will your donation be matched by Ronesha, but you’ll also be entered for a chance to win an E-Bike! This is the perfect moment to give back!? ? Thank you, Ronesha, for supporting our mission and making this campaign even more impactful!? https://lnkd.in/gAC7SfJf

This Week's Give!Guide Featured Category: Community + Home. ? We’re thrilled to highlight our nonprofit partner in the Community category, FinAbility! FinAbility empowers survivors of domestic violence to build the financial security they need to break free and thrive. Founded by survivors for survivors, they’ve already impacted over 45,000 lives through trauma-informed financial mentorship and programs. ? Help FinAbility expand their programs by donating to their Give!Guide campaign today or volunteer as a financial mentor! Your support could be the key to financial independence for a survivor, allowing them to rebuild and find long-term stability. ? Donate to FinAbility's Give!Guide Campaign here: https://lnkd.in/gYspEJ6p ?