Clinicians and Botox Leaders Will Coach IFundWomen Grant Winners

Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, announced the 20 winners of the BOTOX® Cosmetic and IFundWomen grant program who will receive funding and mentorship to overcome the “Confidence Gap” and increase the number of women-owned businesses.

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A panel of physicians reviewed the more than 6500 applicants to the program and selected the 20 winners. Grant recipients will participate in a 10-week Crowdfunding Accelerator Program and learn from experts across a variety of fields. The intensive coaching program will cover topics that include network mapping, content marketing, social media, public relations, and crowdfunding, helping the women to refine and optimize strategies for their business.¹

The partnership between Allergan Aesthetics and IFundWomen for the grant program was announced on International Women’s Day in March, and the panel reviewing applications consisted of several clinicians who own their own practices. Terrence Keaney, MD, FAAD, board certified dermatologist of SkinDC in Arlington, Virginia, told Dermatology Times®, “The applications were evaluated based on the business’s long-term potential, quality of the business plan, appeal, and the ability to raise funds. It was a difficult review process due to all of the amazing applications.” 

In addition to the IFundWomen coaches, winners will be mentored by leaders from BOTOX® Cosmetic. "As a woman entrepreneur myself, I know how hard it can be to overcome the 'Confidence Gap.' Every day we find ourselves questioning if we have what it takes, and sometimes all we need to find that resounding 'yes' is a little bit of affirmation from the outside world," said Michelle Henry, MD, FAAD, Board-Certified Dermatologist, Mohs Surgeon and Founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan in a press release.¹

While women own 42% of all businesses in the US, nearly 13 million, and employ 9.4 million workers,² the “Confidence Gap” causes women to question whether they have what it takes to own and manage a business. IFundWomenseeks to eliminate that gap and help women overcome challenges. 

“What was consistent among all of the founders was their determination and passion for the communities that they were serving. It was really inspiring talking to all the talented winners,” said Dr. Keaney.

The winners span industries from fashion to travel to finance. The grant winners for this year’s contest are:

Adorn Me Africa – Elorm Dela-Seshie (Boston, Mass.) – @adornmeafrica

Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs – Monika Jefferson (Hampton, Va.) – @amseagency

BlackTravelBox® – Orion Brown (Denver, Colo.) – @blacktravelbox

Bri's Dance Place – Brianna Hairlson (Gary, Ind.) – @brisdanceplace

Everviolet – Keira Kotler (San Anselmo, Calif.) – @everviolet

Fourplay Social – Danielle Dietzek and Julie Griggs (New York, N.Y.) – @fourplaydating

Grounded – Danuelle Doswell and Mignon Hemsley (Washington, D.C.) – @groun.ded

InFlow Entertainment – Lisa Crnic (Los Angeles, Calif.) – @inflow_entertainment

Kola Goodies – Sajani Amarasiri (San Francisco, Calif.) – @kolagoodies

Love Cork Screw – Chrishon Lampley (Chicago, Ill.) – @lovecorkscrew

Makhers Studio – Wanona Satcher (Atlanta, Ga.) – @makhersstudio

Money News Network – Nicole Lapin (Los Angeles, Calif.) – @moneynews

No Limbits – Erica Cole (Richmond, Va.) – @no.limbits

Nomads Swimwear – Taylor Long (Atlanta, Ga.) – @nomadsswimwear

Postal Petals – Talia Boone (Los Angeles, Calif.) – @postalpetals

Progeny Coffee – Maria Palacio (Palo Alto, Calif.) – @progeny_coffee

Southern Roots Vegan Bakery – Cara Pitts (Converse, Texas) – @southernrootsbiz

SWAIR – Carrie Sporer and Meredith Krill (New York, N.Y.) – @swairhair

The Coven – Alex Steinman and Erinn Farrell (Minneapolis, Minn.) – @thecoven.co

TJL Collection – Tiffany Jones Lewis (Arlington, Texas) – @tjl_collection

References

1. BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) Announces the Winners of the IFundWomen Grant Program. News Release. AbbVie. June 13, 2023. Accessed June 13, 2023. https://news.abbvie.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=12590
2. American Express. The 2019 State of Women-Owned Business Report, 2019