Allergan Aesthetics, the maker of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), has partnered with IFundWomen to ensure women entrepreneurs can apply for $25,000 funding, coaching and mentoring. The partnership, announced on International Women’s Day (March 8), aims to fill a gap in the beliefs of rising women. Allergan Aesthetics leaders say they are committed to helping the female leaders of the future by giving them the tools to succeed today.1According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women hold more than half of all leadership positions and professional levels, but they lag behind men in leadership roles in many industries, including both medicine and healthcare. While women make up more than 40% of all business owners across the country, the journey there is fraught with additional challenges, leading to a lack of confidence. For example, women start with about 50% less working capital and receive 2% of total venture funding, while women of color receive less than 1% in funding. A trust gap can slow or hinder business success and growth.
Robinson will serve as an advisory board member comprised of clinicians and healthcare professionals. The board also includes Camille G. Cash, MD; Shawna Chrisman, NP; Michelle Henry, MD, FAAD; Terrence Keaney, MD, FAAD; Sherly Soleiman, MD; and Yvette Suarez, MD. They will select 20 grant recipients to serve their community with new business ventures. Recipients will receive $25,000 in funding, plus one year of mentoring and coaching.“This is an important program for women entrepreneurs of every sector and I’m looking forward to being on the advisory board for this program. Being a woman physician and a business owner, I can say the confidence gap is real, but it’s also something that we can overcome.”
Caroline Robinson, MD, FAAD.
