![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/yuh6uno7/production/56253e7bd4b7edc1a903e178afe54f843660591a-750x750.png?w=29&h=29&auto=format)
Serving Up Success: Building Financial Security for Women in LA Food & Hospitality
The LA food scene is bursting with talent in the hospitality industry, yet women struggle for financial equality. Traditional methods haven't cracked the gender pay gap fast enough. Regarding Her offers a revolution: empower women to become entrepreneurs. We'll equip them with the tools to break barriers, secure funding, take control, and build thriving businesses. Together, let's rewrite the recipe for success and ensure women in food & beverage achieve the financial freedom they deserve.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Income inequality
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
The Simple Facts
28%... Women in head chef positions make 28% less on average than their male counterparts IN THE SAME POSITION. This is just one example in many pay inequalities found throughout the food and hospitality industry.
33%...
Only 33% of food service businesses are majority women owned. (remember this for later!)
The Persistent Challenge of Income Inequality
The gender pay gap is a well-documented issue plaguing countless industries. In the food and beverage sector, it's particularly stark. Despite comprising over half of culinary school graduates, women hold only 19% of leadership positions in kitchens. This disparity is significantly more pronounced for women of color.
Beyond Awareness: A New Approach to Empowerment
While acknowledging this reality is crucial, Regarding Her seeks to go beyond mere awareness. We propose a unique, solution-oriented approach that empowers women to achieve financial independence and redefine success on their own terms.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
Shattering the Glass Ceiling: A New Path to Financial Equality
Traditional efforts to close the gender pay gap in the food & beverage industry haven't yielded results quickly enough. Regarding Her proposes a different approach: empowering women to take control of their financial destinies by becoming entrepreneurs. Remember that number? 33% ~ The number of food service businesses that are majority women owned. Our goal is to make that number MUCH higher!
We offer members high-quality education that equips them with the knowledge & tools needed to invest in themselves, their dreams, & their communities. By fostering a generation of female business owners, we empower them to rewrite the rules of success on their own terms.
A Few Ways We'll Use The LA2050 Funds Alongside Other Sponsorships
Summits: Kicking off with the highly-requested "Access to Capital" session, these in-person summits connect women with industry leaders. Attendees gain actionable tools for launching or growing their businesses. Crucially, breaks foster vital networking & industry connections.
Table Talks: Quarterly Zoom sessions feature expert speakers tackling key topics like "Bonus Structures that Benefit Business and Employee," promoting a win-win approach to success.
Academy & Grant Program: This transformative 10-week program pairs 20 women entrepreneurs with industry leaders, maximizing their potential. It culminates in a $5,000 business grant to empower further growth. Did We Mention It's All Free?
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
THIS THE HEADLINE WE COULD CREATE TOGETHER:
Los Angeles County Transformed Thanks to Empowered Women in Food & Bev Regarding Her's success will fuel a wave of female entrepreneurship in Los Angeles County's food and beverage industry. This will create a ripple effect lasting generations:
Thriving Businesses & Financial Freedom: Graduates launch businesses, fostering economic growth and achieving financial independence for themselves and their families.
Community Catalyst & Innovation: Empowered women become role models, inspiring future entrepreneurs and fostering industry innovation and resilience.
Equity for All: Increased female ownership challenges the pay gap, leading to fairer wages for all food & beverage workers.
This financial empowerment fuels further growth, strengthens the local food system, and inspires future generations of entrepreneurs. By investing in women, we together we can invest in a more vibrant and equitable Los Angeles.
What evidence do you have that this project, program, or initiative is or will be successful, and how will you define and measure success?
Regarding Her is currently predominantly volunteer-driven. While we are scrappy, & proud of what we offer members, this grant would allow us to improve significantly in a number of areas.
Expert Guidance: Funding will unlock access to top speakers, offering in-depth education & ongoing support to members.
Foster Community & Growth: Securing larger meeting spaces will facilitate crucial in-person connections & social support networks – a key ingredient for women entrepreneurs' success.
Amplify Impact: Increased resources will enable us to expand our Academy & Grant program, building on our track record of distributing over $300,000 to support women-owned businesses.
Track Tangible Outcomes: We'll measure success through surveys and 1:1 conversations, tracking metrics like business launches, increased revenue, & job creation.
By measuring these concrete outcomes, we'll demonstrate the transformative power of our program in breaking financial barriers & empowering women in LA County.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 950.0
Indirect Impact: 7,500.0