Global Franchise 10.2

13 GLOBAL-FRANCHISE.COM Ins ight BREAKING FUNDING BARRIERS Access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers for women-owned businesses. Focus on programs designed for female entrepreneurs. I tapped into the Illinois Department of Economic Development and partnered with institutions like First Women’s Bank and Brightwood Capital, both dedicated to women- led ventures. Be proactive – join women’s business groups and seek recommendations. Opportunities do exist, but they require searching. DON’T LOSE YOURSELF IN THE BUSINESS If I could go back to the beginning, I’d tell myself to keep my personal identity distinct from the business. Throughout my founder journey, how I identified as a person and as a business leader became completely intertwined. I didn’t realize the problem until after the sale, when separating my life from the business became far harder than it should have been. It took over five months for me to be able to fully access personal emails, tax returns, and records spanning two decades because everything had become so integrated and complicated. But uncoupling goes way beyond systems – it’s emotional too. When your identity is “the founder,” stepping away can hit you like an existential crisis. Keep separate systems, boundaries, and a life beyond the business. Your future self will thank you for it.