Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, announces the 20 women entrepreneurs who will receive funding and mentorship through the BOTOX® Cosmetic and IFundWomen grant program. More than 6,500 women submitted applications and each one was reviewed by a panel to select the winners.

While the number of women-owned businesses in the country continues to grow, and is now estimated at 42% of all businesses in the U.S., there is more work to be done, particularly in helping ideas translate into business opportunities addressing the so-called “confidence gap.”

“There were so many remarkable applications that featured thoughtful business solutions,” says Carrie Strom, president, Global Allergan Aesthetics and senior vice president, AbbVie. “BOTOX Cosmetic was born out of the entrepreneurial spirit and its more than 20-year history is rooted in people seeing a challenge and finding an answer. Each of the women selected to receive a grant saw a need for change, and set out to make a positive difference in the world. We are thrilled to celebrate them and support their businesses.”

In the coming months, the grant recipients will engage in a 10-week Crowdfunding Accelerator Program and learn from experts in various fields. The intensive coaching program curriculum will include important business topics such as network mapping, content marketing, social media, public relations, and crowdfunding for their business, helping them to further refine and optimize their strategies. In addition to the IFundWomen coaches, leaders from BOTOX Cosmetic will be joining the coaching staff for the Accelerator Program, which is a first for IFundWomen’s partnerships. 

“As a woman entrepreneur myself, I know how hard it can be to overcome the ‘Confidence Gap.’ Every day we find ourselves questioning if we have what it takes, and sometimes all we need to find that resounding ‘yes’ is a little bit of affirmation from the outside world,” says Michelle Henry, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs Surgeon and founder of skin and aesthetic surgery of Manhattan. “I am honored to be a part of the advisory group alongside my peers to help provide these women with that affirmation. Each one of these women and their businesses are doing important work and are so deserving of these grants.”

In addition to Henry, the entrepreneur healthcare professionals who aided in the grant recipient selection included Camille G. Cash, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Camille G. Cash, MD Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; Shawna Chrisman, nurse practitioner and founder of Destination Aesthetics™; Terrence Keaney, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of SkinDC; Caroline Robinson, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Tone Dermatology; Sherly Soleiman, MD, board-certified physician and founder and medical director of Cosmetic Injectables Center; and Yvette Suarez, MD, FAAMM, board-certified physician and founder and owner of Bella Excellence. 

The grant winners and their businesses are: