When the Small Business Association of Michigan Foundation reached out to Kim Bode regarding the Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship (WEF), they had a name, and an idea but no real concept of how it would all come together. They needed someone who understood and experienced the same struggles and roadblocks as the women being recruited for WEF. Women-owned businesses in Michigan face significant challenges despite their numbers and potential. Only 10% of women business owners secure small business loans, and women-owned businesses receive just 2.2% of all venture capital funding in the U.S.
The women we needed to reach were those who were building successful businesses despite the obstacles.
The Truth About Women in Business
Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem hasn’t been delivering for women business owners. Despite representing 43.2% of the state’s 902,131 small businesses (higher than the national average), women entrepreneurs face systemic barriers at every turn – from securing capital to accessing crucial business networks.
From day one, we knew this fellowship couldn’t be another feel-good initiative with vague promises and no substance. These women don’t need hand-holding—they need real solutions, meaningful connections, and a program that respects their intelligence while addressing their actual challenges.
Building Something that Makes an Impact
Creating the Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship wasn’t about following someone else’s playbook. We designed comprehensive surveys and spoke directly with women entrepreneurs across the state to understand what they actually needed – not what we thought they needed.
The message was clear: skip the theoretical business advice. They wanted practical strategies, meaningful mentorship, and a supportive community that understood their specific challenges.
Armed with this knowledge, we crafted a curriculum that tackled the real pain points: accessing capital, operational efficiency, leadership development, and strategic growth planning. It needed to be real value they could implement immediately.
A Program that Attracts Michigan’s Best
The caliber of our inaugural cohort speaks volumes about the program’s value. These aren’t novices – they’re established, successful business owners who’ve already proven themselves. When entrepreneurs generating $1,000,000+ in annual revenue with multiple employees choose to dedicate their precious time to your program, you know you’ve built something worthwhile.
These women run substantial operations with real economic impact. The cohort includes powerhouses like Elderly Instruments, Pioneer Machine and Technologies, and Wolverine Pickleball – companies that are shaping Michigan’s economy in tangible ways.
They’re strategic thinkers who carefully evaluate any commitment that takes them away from their businesses. Their enthusiastic participation and consistently high attendance rates prove we’ve created something that delivers genuine value.
A Fellowship with Substance and Purpose
We didn’t just throw together some inspirational speakers and networking events. The fellowship has depth and delivers results:
- A comprehensive 8-month curriculum covering everything from leadership DNA and operations to securing capital and succession planning
- One-on-one coaching sessions with industry experts in finance, marketing, customer development, and business transition planning
- A structured mentorship program matching fellows with established business leaders who understand their specific challenges
- A dedicated online portal housing resources, session materials, and tools exclusively for program participants
Each element was designed with intention and an unwavering focus on what actually moves the needle for these businesses.
The Digital Infrastructure that Makes It Work
We built the technical foundation for this fellowship’s efficient operation. Our team designed and developed sbamwef.org, which includes a password-protected Cohort Portal that serves as the program’s digital hub.
Participants can access a resource library, session and coaching calendars, cohort and expert bios, and direct booking links for one-on-one coaching sessions. It’s a functional tool that streamlines the fellowship experience and ensures busy entrepreneurs can access what they need, when they need it.
Sessions that Drive Real Change
Each monthly session tackles a critical business challenge head-on. Take our “Breaking Barriers: Securing Capital for Women-Owned Businesses” session – we didn’t waste time rehashing well-known statistics about funding disparities. Instead, we brought in representatives from PNC Bank, MCDC, and Northern Initiatives to provide direct access to funding sources.
The session frameworks are honest about the challenges while offering clear pathways forward. We’re here to equip these women with the tools and connections to overcome real obstacles.
Why This Matters to Kim: A Personal Mission
For Kim, this program represents a personal mission, not just a professional project. As a woman business owner who built 8THIRTYFOUR from the ground up, she’s navigated the same obstacles these women face. She’s been underestimated, overlooked, and undervalued – and she’s overcome those barriers through sheer determination.
Kim has poured her experience, network, and direct approach into every aspect of this fellowship. From selecting the cohort to developing the curriculum to facilitating challenging conversations, her influence shapes every element of the program.
When participants share their wins – big or small – Kim celebrates with genuine excitement. When they face setbacks, she’s the first to offer both empathy and practical next steps. This isn’t performative leadership; it’s authentic engagement from someone who genuinely cares about these women and their businesses.
Looking Forward: Building on Success
As we prepare for the second cohort launching in September 2025, we’re taking the lessons from this inaugural year to make the program even stronger. We’re expanding the expert network, enhancing the resource library, and refining session content based on participant feedback.
But the core mission remains unchanged: to create a transformative experience that equips women entrepreneurs with the tools, connections, and confidence to scale their businesses and overcome systemic barriers.
The Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellowship isn’t just changing businesses – it’s changing lives. In the process, it’s reshaping Michigan’s entrepreneurial landscape to be more inclusive, more supportive, and more reflective of the incredible women who help drive our economy.
As the first cohort prepares for graduation in June 2025, we’re setting the stage for their continued success long after the fellowship ends. Because that’s the true measure of impact: not what happens during the program, but what these women achieve because of it.
And if you ask us, the future looks incredibly bright.
Written by Kim Bode, CEO & Owner of 8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications
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