The Capital Conversation

How Women Entrepreneurs Can Move from Leasing to Owning

Sara Vanhala, president of Small Business Growth Corporation, invited us to her office for dinner and a presentation on the SBA 504 loan program. Her program taught us so much!

Women own nearly 40% of US businesses. Women entrepreneurs are shaping the economy: building bridges, creating jobs, and strengthening communities. However, many women-owned businesses hit a wall at the growth stage due to a lack of access to the right type of capital. Conventional loans don't fit: their high down payments, variable rates, and balloon payments can drain working capital.

Ownership matters. Rent becomes an investment, builds equity, stabilizes your costs, and strengthens your balance sheet. This opens the door to more opportunities. Growing businesses hire people, purchase more, and revitalize communities.

The SBA 504 loan program was designed to help small businesses invest in long-term assets like real estate and equipment, while protecting their working capital. In these loans, a bank or credit union provides 50% of the financing for the loan, Growth Corp provides 40% (backed by the SBA), and the remaining 10% is invested by the business owner. The SBA portion of the loan is at a fixed rate for 20-25 years, stabilizing payments and protecting from rate swings.

This is especially important for women entrepreneurs for several reasons:

Women-owned businesses often start with smaller capitalization and rely more on personal credit.
Preserving working capital is critical during expansion.
A 10% down payment instead of 25% can mean the difference for expansion.
The SBA 504 program works the same for every qualified borrower.
The SBA also funds 140+ Women's Business Centers and maintains a goal of awarding at least 5% of federal contracting dollars to women-owned businesses annually.

You can connect with Growth Corp at (217) 241-3000 or at growthcorp.com.

WE-CI’s Inaugural Local Focal Fashion Show Celebrates Style, Community, and Women-Owned Businesses

Women Entrepreneurs of Central Illinois (WE-CI) hosted its first-ever Local Focal Fashion Show on June 11, 2026, at Venue 1929 in Springfield, bringing together fashion, food, and community in celebration of local women-owned businesses.

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Approximately 30 guests attended the event, which featured runway looks from six local retailers: SGK Boutique, Springfield Vintage, Studio on 6th, Better with Bubbli, Inspira, and My Sister’s Closet. Seven businesses also showcased their styles and merchandise through booth displays, including Rayn’s Tiny Stitches, giving attendees the opportunity to shop and connect with local entrepreneurs.

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Guests enjoyed delicious refreshments provided by Baklava and More and Elissa Goldbergbelle, while festive décor by It’s a Wrap created a fun and welcoming atmosphere throughout the evening.

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The purpose of the event was simple: to celebrate and support the incredible women-owned businesses that help make Central Illinois unique. Attendees enjoyed an evening filled with fashion, conversation, and new connections, while business owners had the opportunity to showcase their creativity and engage with customers and fellow entrepreneurs.

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As WE-CI’s first fashion show, the event was a tremendous success and received positive feedback from attendees and participating businesses alike. The energy in the room reflected the strength of the local entrepreneurial community and the enthusiasm for creating new ways to support and promote women-owned businesses.

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WE-CI extends its sincere thanks to the participating retailers, vendors, and everyone who attended and helped make the inaugural Local Focal Fashion Show such a memorable evening. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to celebrate the creativity, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit of women throughout Central Illinois.

The Women’s Business Showcase Celebrates Community and Connection

Women Entrepreneurs of Central Illinois (WE-CI) welcomed approximately 125 attendees and 50 exhibitors to its annual Women’s Business Showcase on April 16, 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs, professionals, and community supporters for an evening of networking and collaboration.

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Made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsor Heartland Credit Union and many other valued sponsors, the Showcase highlighted the incredible businesses and leaders that make Central Illinois thrive. Guests enjoyed swag bags, exciting giveaways, and the opportunity to enter a VIP ticket drawing while exploring a diverse group of exhibitors.

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One of the evening’s greatest successes was the meaningful connections made throughout the event. Exhibitors shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, noting the quality conversations they had with customers and fellow business owners. Attendees appreciated the welcoming atmosphere and the opportunity to discover local businesses while building new relationships.

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“The Showcase is about more than promoting businesses—it’s about creating connections and supporting one another,” said WE-CI leadership. “The enthusiasm and engagement throughout the evening reflected the strength of our local business community.”

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WE-CI extends its sincere thanks to all of the sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and attendees who helped make the 2026 Women’s Business Showcase a success. Together, they continue to advance WE-CI’s mission of educating and empowering women who own or lead businesses while promoting economic development throughout Central Illinois.

Awesome Pop-Up at Pao Bistro!

Our recent WE-CI pop-up at Pao was a wonderful success! The space was buzzing with conversation, laughter, and genuine connection as a great turnout of women entrepreneurs gathered after work to unwind and network. From meaningful introductions to lots of shared encouragement (and great food and drinks), it was the kind of evening that reminds us why community matters so much. We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the night such a fun, energizing experience.

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