Thursday, March 28, 2024

Native businesswomen develop networking group

Native businesswomen develop networking group

ALBUQUERQUE

Jaime Gloshay is still in the idea phase of the small business she hopes to one day create, while Stephine Poston has been successfully running a communications firm for over a decade.

people sitting around conference table with big-screen television on red wall.

Navajo Times | Pauly Denetclaw
Jaime Gloshay tosses around ideas of how the Native Women’s Business Summit should be structured during their meeting on Sept. 27 in Albuquerque. The recently created group is looking to have the summit this coming February.

This diversity of experience is one of the strengths of the Native Women’s Business Summit. Both Gloshay and Poston are part of the group.

“I just see this as an opportunity to close that gap and really be a solid foundation for other women entrepreneurs,” said Poston, the founder and president of Poston & Associates. “What is holding them back from taking the leap?”

The group is made up of nine Indigenous women representing five Native nations who have come together to create a business summit for novice and experienced business owners and entrepreneurs.

The goal of the summit is to support Native American women who are interesting in starting or growing their own businesses.

According to the National Women’s Business Council, Native American women own only 131,064 businesses in the United States. In comparison, white women own over 6 million businesses.

“For me it was very challenging and it shouldn’t be that challenging,” Poston, Sandia, said about starting her own business.

She hopes this summit will pull businesswomen together to share the answer to a question she asked herself, “What could I have used 13 years ago when I started my business?”

This is all about building economic development in order to help families become financial stable.

“In Indian Country, when the women are healthy and well then our children are healthy and well,” said Poston.

This way of thinking is connected back to the group’s values. The group stands on four principles – backbone, emerging, weaving and empowerment.


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About The Author

Pauly Denetclaw

Pauly Denetclaw is Meadow People born for Towering House People. She was raised in Manuelito and Naschitti, New Mexico. She was the co-recipient of the Native American Journalist Association's 2016 Richard LaCourse Award for Investigative Reporting. Denetclaw is currently finishing her degree in multimedia journalism from the University of New Mexico - Main. Denetclaw covers a range of topics including genetic research, education, health, social justice issues and small businesses. She loves coffee, writing and being with her family. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Her handle is @pdineclah

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