You’ve probably seen Cherie Mathews at our events. She’s outgoing, enthusiastic and compassionate, and she’s been selected as a finalist in the U.S. Small Business Administrations (SBA) InnovateHER Business Challenge, a nationwide competition for entrepreneurs to develop products and services to enhance the lives of women and their families.
The SBA sought entrepreneurs who created a product or service that will have a measurable impact on women and their families, fills a need in the marketplace, and has the potential for commercialization. SBA officials reviewed the nearly 75 semi-finalist nominations and selected 15 finalists whose products and services best met the competition criteria and presented the greatest potential for success. The finalists will compete on May 8, 2015 for the top three awards and a total of $30,000 in prize money provided by Microsoft.
Cherie is the founder and CEO of Heal in Comfort, based out of Austin, Texas. Her company has been WBE certified since 2011 and was a Lillie Knox Investing for Growth Award recipient in 2013. Her company helps women to heal in comfort and dignity after surgery in their battle against breast cancer. She calls herself a “social-preneure” and is passionate about paying it forward with the hope that others will follow. “I’m not your typical WBE; I’m here for the sisterhood,” says Mathews. We asked her what she would do if she were awarded the top prize, and she replied, “I would take my first steps toward mass production. The cool thing is that it would be going on the backs of patients."
InnovateHER: 2015 Innovating for Women Business Challenge kicked off in early March with local competitions throughout the country hosted by universities, accelerators, clusters, scale-up communities, SBA’s resource partners and other local organizations. “Within the South Central states, we have unearthed some innovative ideas that are truly impacting and empowering the lives of women and families,” said Regional Administrator Yolanda Garcia Olivarez who oversees SBA services in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. “I applaud each of the entrepreneurs who competed in the local completions. And, I congratulate the three entrepreneurs in our Region who will advance to the final round. You each are already winners in our eyes.”
WBCS staff wishes Cherie all the best luck as she prepares for the live pitch component of this competition in Washington, D.C. as part of SBA’s National Small Business Week.