ATHENA PowerLink™
A NATIONAL MENTORING PROGRAM THAT CONNECTS SELECTED WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS FROM ATHENA AWARD COMMUNITIES WITH A SKILLED ADVISORY PANEL
Provide Crucial Mentorship & Support for Women Entrepreneurs
What is ATHENA PowerLink™:
The PowerLink program began in 1992 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when two businesswomen recognized that female entrepreneurs often lack access to valuable advisors and mentors. The premise was simple - panels of volunteers willing to advise women business owners on important issues can help them achieve greater success. Today, as ATHENAPowerLink® expands across the country, the program continues to help women grow their businesses.
To implement the program, a partnership is formed between ATHENA International and an ATHENA Award Community or a group of local partners who commit to supporting the operation of the program. In each community, the sponsoring organization, the program principal and the governing body work to assure that ATHENAPowerLink® will have the necessary financial and human resources to implement and maintain the program.
ATHENA International provides communities with a turnkey operation. In addition to materials, new communities receive a site visit and training session. Once communities are up and running, ATHENA International continues to provide support and material updates.
How to Qualify:
Businesses are selected from a field of applicants by a governing body made up of volunteer community members. Once the specific needs are determined the local program recruits local professionals in relevant fields to provide the necessary guidance. The business owner is then paired with a volunteer board of advisors that is tailored to fit the company’s needs.
Business must be at least 51% owned and actively managed by a woman.
Minimum of two (2) years in operation.
Minimum of the equivalent of two (2) full-time employees (including the owner).
Annual revenues of at least $250,000 for retail or manufacturing businesses.
Annual revenues of at least $100,000 for service businesses.
Clearly defined company objectives/goals with explicit reasons for seeking ATHENAPowerLink's® assistance in meeting those objectives/goals.
On Average, Women Business Owners Participating in the ATHENA PowerLink™ Program See the Following Outcomes:
88%
INCREASE IN SALES
37%
INCREASE IN BUSINESS NET INCOME
56%
INCREASE IN PERSONAL INCOME
36%
INCREASE IN NUMBER OF FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
75%
INCREASE IN NUMBER OF PART-TIME EMPLOYEES
Contact Us Today to Implement the Program!
Or Visit our FAQs for more details on how to qualify for and implement the program.