In the journey of entrepreneurship, experiences vary significantly from one individual to another. For Yolanda White, the founder of Dayo Women, a clothing brand specializing in luxury loungewear, the upcoming Women’s Small Business Month holds particular significance.
White expressed her insight into the complexities of starting a business, stating, “I know firsthand what it takes to build a business from scratch. When you talk about challenges, there are so many—keeping up with the economy, addressing the changing landscape of business, and serving customers in the highest way every single day.”
Among the hurdles she faced, securing funding was a significant obstacle. White mentioned that “Dayo is self-funded” and highlighted the stark reality that only about 2% of venture capital goes to women-owned businesses. Nevertheless, her dedication and innovative mindset have fostered growth and enabled fruitful partnerships. “We have to create that momentum and hack the system in new ways,” she added.
The importance of women in the workforce is underlined in a 2024 report from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, indicating that women constitute 48.2% of the workforce and 47.7% of business owners in Georgia.
This week, Dayo Women is collaborating with the Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project (WEOP) to host “Made By Women,” a celebration designed to connect female entrepreneurs and business leaders, promoting growth and mutual learning.
White emphasized how partnerships with organizations like Amazon, Bank of Montreal, and BETHer have been crucial in empowering women to advance their ideas and support their expanding businesses. Through these collaborations, Dayo and WEOP aim to forge valuable connections among aspiring entrepreneurs.
WEOP is dedicated to fostering economic progress for women of color through access to education, critical resources, and professional networking opportunities. These tools have been pivotal in White’s entrepreneurial journey, and she aims to pass down this knowledge within her family. Notably, White’s mother, Mary Ball, is a co-founder of WEOP and currently serves as the CEO of Dayo Women.
For White, the concept of success extends beyond individual accomplishments; it’s about fostering generational prosperity. She noted, “Knowing that you have someone to talk to, that you have an opportunity to share or gain resources, really does help us get over some of the hurdles from lack of capital to DEI programs going away. We need to be as resilient and come together as much as we can to ensure sustainability for our businesses.”
As women embark on their entrepreneurial ventures, White advises embracing the modern entrepreneurial spirit. “This is the woman who really understands that she can build, create, and make things happen as an entrepreneur, and she still may need to work in corporate America. Shift that mindset to flourish in all environments and allow the diversity of revenue in your life.”
