Did you know November is National Entrepreneurship Month? It's the perfect excuse to show up for the women building businesses right here in Chicago. The best part: most of the ways to support a female founder are free, fast, and can make a real difference to her bottom line.
Here are five ways the Heels & Handshakes Chicago chapter is showing love to women in business this month. Pick one, pick all five and put your best heel forward.
Let's support
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Let's support 〰️
1. How can I support a female founder on Instagram?
Go to her IG page and like, follow, share, and be obnoxious in the comments. I'm talking... hype her up!
Then take it to your stories. Talk into the camera about why she is the best at what she does. Engagement tells the algorithm her content matters, and a personal recommendation from you reaches people her ads never will. ( win, win!)
2. Why does a Google review help a small business?
This one is easy and free99. Go give a fellow female entrepreneur a 5-star review on Google.
Bonus points if you add a photo. Reviews with photos help her local SEO, so she shows up higher when someone in Chicago searches for exactly what she sells.
3. What's the easiest way to encourage another entrepreneur?
This one might be my favorite. Text or send a voice memo to another female founder with words of encouragement.
I'm talking "I am woman, hear me roar" level. Running a business can feel lonely, and a 30-second voice memo can carry her through a hard week.
4. How do I become a super fan of a woman-owned business?
Show up in person. Yes, let’s get behind the screen and show up in real life. If she’s speaking on a panel, take B-roll of her so she has fresh content. Sit front row at her workshop, Buy the ticket, bring a friend, and clap the loudest. Should we go on?
5. Heels & Hugs, anyone?
Go out and meet another female founder for coffee, and give her a hug. Remind her that 7-year-old her would be so proud she has a business.
Chicago has no shortage of great coffee shops. Make it a woman-owned one and you've supported two founders in one trip. 👏👏
Want to really support Chicago women in business?
Come to a Heels & Handshakes meeting
If you really want to support an entrepreneur, come attend a Heels & Handshakes Chicago meeting in person.
Our Chicago chapter meets monthly at venues across the city, where female entrepreneurs, executives, and business owners trade referrals, ideas, and real support.
Next Chicago meeting: November 10th at Subtle Haus. Grab your ticket here.
See you there, ladies.
FAQ
When is National Entrepreneurship Month? National Entrepreneurship Month is every November in the United States. National Entrepreneurs' Day falls on the third Tuesday of November, which is November 17 in 2026.
What are free ways to support women-owned businesses? Leave a 5-star Google review with a photo, engage with her social media posts, share her content in your stories, refer clients to her, and send a quick message of encouragement.
Is there a women's networking group in Chicago? Yes. Heels & Handshakes Chicago is a women's business networking group that meets monthly at venues around Chicago. We facilitate a safe place to share resources, tool and referrals.
Can I attend a Heels & Handshakes Chicago meeting as a guest?
Yes. Women in business are welcome to attend as guests before becoming members. Find upcoming meetings on the Chicago chapter page.