The Business Network That Wants more Black Women and Women of Colour to Become CEOs
By Business Desk
Thursday, August 29, 2019.
More and more women of African descent are becoming entrepreneurs globally but investment in their businesses is not increasing in direct proportion to their activity. For example, In the US, since 2009, out of the $424.7 billion raised in total technology venture capital funding only .0006% was given to Black female founders Project Diane 2018*. The impact of this could be seen as a barrier but aside from a lack of investment there is still a knowledge gap that needs to be addressed for Black women and women of colour around the world. Coleen Otero hopes to bridge this gap with the CEO Chicks Network, bringing the US brand to London with its first UK event.
After years of searching for resources, information and affordable business coaching, Coleen Otero found herself building a Facebook online community called Get it Girls (GIG) in 2012. In the midst of recovering from the recession, after losing her business and assets, Ms Otero found herself at her lowest point, but with a determination to rebuild she placed a focus on her faith and GIG community. As time progressed, she noticed more and more women with an entrepreneurial spirit like hers began reaching out for advice on how to build and grow their businesses. In 2015, Ms Otero designed her first CEO Chick T-Shirt for her GIG Community and sold out immediately, shortly thereafter she changed the name of the group to CEO Chicks and the brand was born.
“Technology affords us as women the opportunity to grow our businesses without geographical boundaries. We can go global!” – Ms Otero says.
With over 20 years of experience in the Beauty Industry, Ms Otero has dedicated her life to not only helping individuals to look beautiful on the outside, but feel beautiful on the inside. She was the 2018 Lead Stylist for BET TVS’ Black Girls Rock Marketing Campaign. She was also recognized as Rolling Out Magazines 2019’s Sister With Super Power! She has been featured in The Huffington Post as well as The Orlando Business Journal and Fox 35.
With a focus on building content and community for female CEOS through online courses, one on one coaching, group coaching and live events, Ms Otero and her team have reached thousands and impacted hundreds with their diverse platform.
By launching in London in September 2019, Ms Otero is hoping to not only inspire but activate women entrepreneurs in a way that has not been done before. Giving delegates practical advice on how they can become business leaders and successful CEOs in their chosen fields. CEO Chicks focuses on action points and not shortcuts to success, by building a network which empowers Black women and women of colour the imbalance of investment and growth across all sectors can be addressed. In the UK, businesses run by Black and minority ethnic (BME) entrepreneurs contribute between £25-£32 billion annually to the economy (Economic and Social Research Council 2015). These figures did not factor in how much the women in this cross section of society are contributing to the economy but the UK is certainly lagging behind the US.
The CEO Chick Network continues to grow and evolve, merging technology with human touch, empowerment with education. Using the mantra “Collaborate, Create and Dominate!”, Ms Otero says CEO Chick Network aims to make an impact in the UK and beyond.
