The power of the purse needs little explanation these days. In fact, women make or influence over 85% of all purchases made in the U.S. What’s even more exciting is the number of women-owned businesses that are benefiting from that powerful female consumer. Texas has the highest percentage of women-owned businesses in the country and Austin plays a big role in that statistic. Austin Woman Magazine has been in the business of celebrating women for 16 years and the Woman's Ways Business Awards are an opportunity to recognize, support and promote women-owned and -led businesses off the pages.
The Woman’s Way Business Awards are the only business awards for woman-owned and -led businesses in Austin.
Event will begin with a cocktail reception at 6:00 pm where the top business women and companies in Austin can network with each other, sponosrs and vendors. The reception is followed by a dinner, inspiring keynote by MJ Hegar and awards ceremony from 6-9:30 pm.
Join us in celebrating the incredible business women in Austin who are driving Austin forward.
Thank you to our sponsors for supporting Austin women in business!
DETAILS
SCHEDULE: Registration will open a 6 p.m. kicking off the Connecting Hour with complimentary wine and cash bars. Dinner, Keynote Conversation and the award presentation will take place from 7-9:30 p.m.
PARKING: There are multiple options for parking at the JW including valet, self-park and neighboring garages including the one located at Brazos and 2nd St. We will not comp parking.
DRESS: Attire for the evening is business cocktail. Wear what makes you feel confident and ready to celebrate! You can see attire from last year HERE.
MEET OUR KEYNOTE: MJ HEGAR
Starting as one of only a handful of female helicopter pilots in the United States Air Force in the early 2000s, MJ Hegar earned her Purple Heart after she was wounded while evacuating injured soldiers. When she was blocked from her next career choice in the military because of her gender, she partnered with the ACLU and other female veterans to make sure all military jobs would be open to women—especially combat positions from which they’d historically been barred.
Following her success repealing the Ground Combat Exclusion Policy, Hegar spent five years in the health-care industry, leading key projects for the largest hospital network in Central Texas. In that role, she saw how burdensome health-care costs could debilitate individuals and families.
In 2017, MJ ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in her home district outside of Austin, Texas. She challenged the status quo both in her extremely close race for Congress and by reversing the seemingly intractable stance of the military against women in combat positions. Now MJ is furthering her passion for fighting for justice by setting her sights on unaffordable prescription medications.
MJ is the author of her memoir, Shoot Like a Girl, which is being adapted by Netflix into a major motion picture. She lives in Texas with her husband and two sons.
2019 FINALISTS:
Tru-Skin Dermatolgy HEALTH & WELLNESS: Better Bites Bakery, Halcyon Home, Nutritional Wisdom
Cisco PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: Firefly Consulting, Growth Acceleration Partners, Launch Marketing
UT McComb's School PRODUCT INNOVATION: Brobe International Inc., Kikupal, TurnKey Vacation Rentals
Dell MAKER: Austin Oddities & Entertainment, Darbie Angell, Sikara & Co.
Lenovo STEM: Digital Robotics, Double A Labs, Hello World, InLieu
Texas Disposal System SOCIAL IMPACT: Austin Angels, The Austin Socialite, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, Seedling Mentor Program
On The Dot Woman RISING STAR: Ruffner Schoenbaum PLLC, Shohreh Davoodi Coaching, Upper Ninety
Roger Beasley Mazda BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (UNDER $3M): Kelly Wynne Handbags, Prohibition Creamery, Sweet Ritual
Bank of America BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (OVER $3M): American Campus Communities, Bumble, Quality Seafood
Austin Woman I AM AUSTIN WOMAN
Maria Orozova, MODintelechy
Sheri Soltes, Service Dog Inc.
Kelly White + Julia Spann, The SAFE Alliance
