Fempreneur Poder Hub recently hosted a Women in Business Brunch at Windy City Coworking in Chicago’s Mayfair neighborhood, featuring Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia. The gathering brought together microbusiness owners from around IL who participated in the Illinois 2026 Microbusiness Calendar. Attendees participated in a conversation centered on visibility, accessible marketing tools, and financial opportunity for women-led microbusinesses. The Illinois 2026 Microbusiness Calendar serves as a storytelling and economic visibility tool spotlighting entrepreneurs from across the state.
Throughout the discussion, a central theme emerged: how can Chicago continue working toward closing the gender gap — not only in wages, but in access to capital, marketing visibility, and economic opportunity?
City Clerk Anna Valencia shared initiatives her office has led and is currently advancing, and provided insight into how microbusiness owners can leverage the CityKey card program to increase visibility, expand customer reach, and help drive sales. The conversation explored how city-level tools can serve as accessible marketing platforms for small operators seeking broader exposure.
Attendees also discussed the importance of financial access, including barriers many women entrepreneurs face when seeking loans or financing. The dialogue highlighted the need for continued collaboration between civic leadership and community-based ecosystems to strengthen equitable pathways to capital and business growth.
“Visibility and financing are deeply connected,” said Jennifer Franco, Founder and CEO of Fempreneur Poder Hub. “When women-led microbusinesses are seen, supported, and strategically positioned, they generate revenue, stability, and reinvestment within our neighborhoods.”
Building on the momentum of this civic-centered dialogue, Fempreneur Poder Hub will host a ticketed Women’s History Month Gathering on Saturday, March 21st, designed to continue strengthening Chicago’s microbusiness ecosystem through collaboration and shared economic strategy.
The March 21st experience will include:
- A light breakfast
- Curated networking among creators, entrepreneurs, and allies
- On-site sales of the Illinois 2026 Microbusiness Calendar
- Intentional dialogue focused on expanding visibility and storytelling
The March 21st gathering is intentionally community-centered, focused on moving from dialogue to sustained economic action.
Tickets are currently available at: https://givebutter.com/TUSWIv
