For women business owners, finding a community that truly understands their unique challenges and offers meaningful, high-level support is rare. That’s what makes the NAWBO Institute so powerful. Through online educational resources and programs like the Circle, the Institute delivers a level of accessibility, authenticity and personal and business support that women can’t easily find anywhere else. As NAWBO marks its 50th anniversary, we sat down with Lynda Bishop, Vice President of National Programs, to explore the Institute’s impact and future.
Can you tell us a bit about the Institute and its mission within NAWBO?
The NAWBO Institute is a community for all women business owners, whether they’re NAWBO members or not. It’s a place where they can come to connect, access resources and grow their businesses to higher levels of success. At its core, the Institute is about community, connection and education.
Why is supporting the educational and growth journeys of women business owners so critical today, and how is the Institute uniquely positioned to do that?
With so many changes happening to the business support landscape for women business owners, having a place they can depend on is critical. The Institute offers that. We’ve been here for 50 years and will continue to be here providing the resources, connections and support women need. As we grow our educational offerings and partner programs, the Institute becomes an even more efficient way for women to access support, because we’re connected to so many valuable resources.
Let’s talk about the Circle program. We know only about 2% of all women business owners in the U.S. reach the $1 million revenue mark. What are the unique challenges these entrepreneurs face, and how does the Circle support them?
Women in the Circle come from all industries, but they share common challenges like HR, access to capital for expansion and succession planning. While many have advisors or think tanks for help in addressing these business issues, what they also gain from the Circle is truly unique—a peer group of women operating in the top 2% who provide camaraderie, safety and authenticity. It’s a place where they can take the mask and armor off, be vulnerable and know they’ll be supported without judgment. That’s not easy to find anywhere else.
What feedback do you hear from Circle program participants that inspires you and fills you up in your role?
I was just reviewing our Circle retreat survey, and despite the incredible location and workshops, the part that stood out most to members was simply sitting around the fire or gathering after hours—moments where they felt a deep sense of belonging. Those comments choke me up. After so much disconnection and loneliness during COVID, that feeling of being truly seen and connected is incredibly powerful. We build the foundation and safety net in the Circle, but our members create the magic.
How do you see the Circle evolving in the next few years as more women business owners scale to that level?
I’ve been running the Circle and its mastermind groups for 10 years now. I’d love to see both the program and the number of women in that top 2% continue to grow. Most of these women started businesses to solve problems and serve others. The Circle helps solve the problem of disconnection and loneliness at this high level of success. I’d also love to expand opportunities to gather in person, even regionally, to deepen those bonds.
The Institute also offers a free, 24/7 online educational portal. What can women business owners expect when they explore it?
There’s something for everyone. Chapter leaders can access the Chapter Resource Center. Members looking for education will find a library of webinars and other educational resources. Those wanting more in-depth support like an entire program to help them grow their business can link to our partner programs. And if they’re looking to connect, the community chat room is an open space to ask questions, get answers and network.
What’s your favorite part about the online Institute that people might not realize until they dive in?
Honestly, I love the aesthetics. It’s welcoming and easy to navigate. But what really makes it special is the community chat room and the photo feature. It’s like a private Facebook group where members can share images and see the fun we’ve had together. It makes it personal and real—reminding us this truly is a community.
What’s next for the online Institute? Are there any improvements on the horizon that you’re excited about?
Yes! We’re launching an Institute chatbot this October, funded by a generous grant from the Kauffman Foundation. It will help users navigate our growing library of webinars and partner programs by instantly pointing them to what they need. As the Institute expands, this tool will make it even easier to find the right resources for their educational journey.