THE CHALLENGE
Most entrepreneurship programs are created to satisfy checklists: did the participants finish the curriculum? Did they make a Canva pitch deck? Did the program host a final event?
But the real challenge is more nuanced—and more urgent:
How do you build a learning system that satisfies funders and stakeholders while building real-world revenue and lasting partnerships?
YWCA Houston needed a system that did more than teach business—it needed to foster growth, build trust, and act as a catalyst for local collaboration.
THE SOLUTION
As Community Enrichment Program Director, Stephanie D. McKenzie redesigned the WE360 program into a funder-aligned, founder-driven learning system that made profitability the foundation—and collaboration the multiplier.
This wasn’t a webinar series or one-size-fits-all curriculum. It was a community-anchored transformation model, grounded in business growth and ecosystem building.
CORE SYSTEM COMPONENTS
1. Revenue and Reporting Alignment
- Every deliverable aligned with funder expectations (e.g., business planning, growth metrics) but went deeper—each participant created a full profitability strategy, not just a business plan.
- A structured point-based engagement system and weekly office hours allowed for progress tracking and transparent reporting.
- Participant activities generated real-time impact data—the kind of results that funders can include in grant reports and future proposals.
2. Embedded Community & Mentorship
- Through workshops and breakout sessions, participants engaged with Houston-based organizations including SCORE Houston, Waymaker Agency, and local banks.
- Entrepreneurs received direct support from business mentors, nonprofit leaders, and consultants—creating relationships that extended beyond the program.
- Slack channels remained active post-program to encourage ongoing collaboration and peer-to-peer referrals.
3. Showcase as Collaboration Portal
- The final YWCA Houston (WE) 360 Business Showcase doubled as both a capstone and a funder-facing demo day, where participants pitched models rooted in social impact, productization, and market-ready monetization.
- Mentors and future collaborators attended, including stakeholders from nonprofits, finance, and education sectors.
HOUSTON-WIDE IMPACT
Participants in the YWCA Houston cohort didn’t just “finish” a program. They:
- Latice Jones shared expansion plans for LMJ Sports Training
- Keylynne Matos Cunningham unveiled trauma-informed initiatives for underserved communities
- Sharbreon Plummer and Jasmine Tucker presented consulting and coaching systems for multi-passionate founders
- Lauren Foster launched her first retreat-based course
- Dr. Nikki Coleman, entrepreneur-in-residence, reflected on her journey from burnout to confident clarity
- Saderia Mormon introduced a line of digital workshops for revival-centered strategy
Breakout mentoring sessions and live expert panels turned the event into a true ecosystem exchange.
DATA THAT BACKS THE MODEL
This program wasn’t just a feel-good moment. It produced measurable transformation:
- 100% of participants developed a profitability strategy
- 85% reported increased clarity on monetization and brand value
- 70% adjusted or pivoted their models based on coaching and showcase feedback
- Several participants launched programs or digital products before the program even ended
- Local banks and community funders requested follow-ups with selected entrepreneurs
- Notably less than 1% of funded ventures are owned by women of color.
And the system itself is scalable—built to be replicated or licensed for other markets or missions.
WHY IT MATTERS
Here’s the truth:
Programs that only focus on compliance miss the real opportunity: collaboration.
According to national research:
- Nonprofits engaged in strategic partnerships grow up to 60% faster than those operating alone.
- Corporate-nonprofit partnerships generated over $21 billion in 2023, proving the power of multi-sector collaboration.
- Community-engaged programs report higher trust and longer-term impact—critical for funder confidence and local support.
This learning system doesn’t just graduate entrepreneurs.
It builds partners. It builds funders. And it builds communities.
CONCLUSION
When you treat learning as a leverage tool instead of a liability, the results speak volumes. the reimagining of the WE360 program proves that:
- Profitability can be the foundation
- Collaboration can be the growth strategy
- And funder-friendly can still be founder-first
This isn’t a curriculum—it’s a catalyst.
And it’s ready for replication. Let’s talk about how we make a cohort style learning style work for you.