Site Spotlight - mafedetroit.org

http://www.mafedetroit.org/

Can you provide a description of your business?

Founded in 2003, Michigan Association for Female Entrepreneurs (MAFE) is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting, promoting and empowering women entrepreneurs in Michigan through advocacy, entrepreneurial training and leadership development. MAFE provides opportunities for female entrepreneurs,both start-up and established, to build their entrepreneurial capacity through educational programs focused on sustainable business growth and development.MAFE gives women entrepreneurs the opportunity to expand their influence and increase their visibility by providing a forum where business women can unite,network, and leverage best practices within an organization of their peers.

How did you get started in this business?

MAFE was founded by Tonya McNeal-Weary, who at the time was an aspiring entrepreneur looking to establish a network of like-minded women entrepreneurs who could come together on a regular basis to brainstorm, share ideas, and serve as a support system to each other.

How do you market your business?

As a nonprofit, we market our organization via social media sites such as Facebook,Twitter and LinkedIn, participating in women-focused events, and sending regular e-Newsletters.

How has technology, such as computers and the internet, impacted on how you conduct business?

The internet has given us a web presence to showcase our many initiatives. It also provides access to a wider audience than we would have been able to reach otherwise.

How important is social media to your business?

Today, we believe that having a social media presence is just as important as having a website.Social media platforms allows for two-way communications between companies/organizations and customers. We use social media to share educational content, articles and relevant information of interest to our members. We also use social media to engage with our audience, receive feedback on our programs and services and showcase photos and highlights from our many events.