Elevating Women, Strengthening Communities: AWE Entrepreneurs Rise To The Occasion

Across Eleuthera, women are stepping boldly into entrepreneurship, launching new ventures, expanding existing businesses, and fueling local economic growth. This year, OEF proudly facilitated the island’s first-ever cohort of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Nassau, empowering twenty-seven women with the skills and support needed to move confidently toward business success.

Launched in late summer, the AWE program attracted a diverse group of participants — from established small-business owners to first-time entrepreneurs nurturing ideas that have long lived in their hearts. Week by week, these women engaged in transformational learning designed to strengthen their financial literacy, business planning, digital marketing, resilience, and leadership capacity.

Through guided coursework, interactive group sessions, and mentorship, participants developed the tools needed to launch and scale sustainable enterprises. The AWE curriculum helps women:

• Understand entrepreneurship fundamentals
• Build realistic, results-oriented business plans
• Strengthen brand identity and marketing strategies
• Improve operational structure and financial management
• Develop leadership presence and confidence
• Navigate risk and build long-term resilience

These are essential skills in a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) like The Bahamas, where small businesses form the backbone of the local economy and where women often serve as primary household providers. 

As this cohort approaches graduation, anticipation is building for the AWE Business Pitch Competition, early next year, when participants will compete for a share of $10,000 in seed funding to bring their business ideas to life. This funding represents more than financial support; it is a spark that can help women move from concept to execution, expanding their earning potential and creating jobs within their communities.

Donor Support That Changes Lives

OEF’s ability to deliver transformational programs like AWE is made possible through the generosity of donors and partners who believe in the power of women to lead change. Every contribution helps build financial stability for families, economic resilience for communities, and innovation for the island as a whole.

With continued support, OEF will expand more pathways for women to thrive — strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem and creating a future where every woman has the opportunity to turn possibility into prosperity through opportunity and entrepreneurship.