The WE Empower Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance, education, mentorship, and meaningful professional support to women who need help moving their businesses forward. It is provided through the WE Empower Together Initiative, with support from the WE Empower Together Inner Circle, members, sponsors, and partners. WE Empower Together may independently allocate a portion of its operating revenue, event revenue, sponsorship income, and other business resources toward this initiative.
Who does the Scholarship Fund Serve?
Individuals preparing to start a business or create a responsible self-employment path.
Individuals working to stabilize, preserve, or save an existing business.
Redirecting, repositioning, or reinventing a business whose original direction is no longer sustainable. Recovering from trauma, prolonged stress, financial hardship, caregiving demands, illness, disaster, or another unexpected life event.
Seeking education, training, certification, mentorship, or an internship to strengthen professional opportunities.
Ready to grow but lacking the financial resources, guidance, confidence, or support network needed to take the next step.
How decisions Are Made
Each application is considered individually by the WE Empower Scholarship Advisory Team. Applicants are asked to identify their present need, the support requested, how the funds or services would be used, and the difference that support could make. Selections are based on demonstrated need, readiness, clarity of purpose, program alignment, potential impact.
Learn More — Scholarship Fund Info Packet
Benefits for Scholarship Recipients
Before assistance is awarded, each applicant will clearly identify how the requested support will be used and how it could influence the future of their business. Each written award will identify the value, purpose, approved use, timeline, and any participation or progress expectations.
Scholarship assistance may be monetary, paid directly toward an approved service or program, or in-kind education, mentoring, membership, internship placement, or professional support. This assistance is generally not required to be repaid like a loan, provided the recipient follows the stated award terms.
~ Guided learning, internship expenses, coaching, accountability, or access to experienced professionals.
~ Professional classes, training, certification, or skill-building that supports a clear and responsible business goal.
~ Branding, website development, SEO, photography, promotional materials, or approved marketing services.
~ Licensing, approved professional fees, business setup necessities, or other clearly identified operating needs.
~ Approved services that help stabilize, redirect, protect, organize, or responsibly expand the business.
In addition, each recipient is asked to take the empowerment classes provided by WE Empower Together.
From Inspired Idea to Thriving Business
Purpose & Passion
Build It Right From the Beginning
Know Your Market, Know Your Value
Price With Confidence
Money With Meaning
Contracts, Boundaries & Business Protection
Become the Business People Remember
Marketing With Heart and Strategy
The Art of the Authentic Connection
The Frequency of a Thriving CEO
The Sustainable Entrepreneur
A Message From Our Founder
Turning Compassion Into Community Action
w● ● ● ● ●
When I began my career, I was a gifted and passionate interior designer—but I had
very little direction in how to build and manage a business. Like many young entrepreneurs, I understood
my craft, but I still had to discover how to turn that talent into a thriving, sustainable company. Over time, my business grew beyond anything I had initially imagined. My husband, Ron, and I developed a close-knit, family-owned interior design firm that ultimately supported more than 15 designers, employees, and subcontractors. Together, we mentored emerging designers and young professionals. Some remained with our company, while others advanced to larger firms or began businesses of their own.
Formal education can teach someone a profession, but it does not always prepare that person for the personal, ethical, emotional, and relational realities of operating a business. Our mentorship included the practical work of interior design—calculating custom furnishings and window treatments, managing projects, serving clients, and maintaining professional standards. It also included integrity, responsibility, respectful communication, confidentiality, and the understanding that being invited into a family’s home is a deeply personal privilege.
My own journey also included difficult lessons. Even as an established professional, I experienced being dismissed, bullied, harassed, and exposed to unhealthy or controlling behavior in business relationships. These experiences taught me that professional challenges can arise at any age and at any stage of success.
Entrepreneurs need more than talent and ambition. They need guidance in understanding contracts, protecting their interests, developing healthy boundaries, navigating networking environments, building supportive relationships, and recognizing when a situation no longer aligns with their values.
Technology can help us work faster and find information, but human connection remains at the heart of meaningful and sustainable success. The WE Empower Scholarship Fund was created to offer individuals not only financial assistance, but education, mentoring, community, and someone who believes in the possibility of their vision
Marya Flurnoy
Founder, WE Empower Together Network
Founder, WE Initiative and WE Empower Scholarship Fund
This is the heart of our Initiative: not simply giving someone an opportunity, but helping her become prepared to recognize it, receive it, and grow through it.
Business Status Disclosure: WE Empower Together is a for-profit professional networking and event organization operated by JBI Consulting LLC. WE Empower Together is not a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Payments for memberships, event registrations, exhibitor spaces, sponsorships, and other services are commercial payments and are not tax-deductible charitable contributions. WE may independently allocate a portion of its business revenue to educational, mentorship, scholarship, and community-impact initiatives.
Empowering Together
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