What is the YWCA Greater Charleston's WE 360° program?

The YWCA Greater Charleston's WE 360° program is a comprehensive women's business training course designed to help women entrepreneurs of color overcome barriers in entrepreneurship and provide tools to start, grow, or sustain their businesses.

Who is eligible for the WE 360° course?

The program primarily targets women entrepreneurs of color, but all women are welcome, with women of color especially encouraged to take advantage.

What is the cost of the WE 360° training?

The program is free to participants due to scholarships provided by individual and corporate donors, such as Bank of America.

What does the WE 360° curriculum cover?

The curriculum covers essential business skills such as business planning, taxes, understanding competition, and separating personal and business finances. It also includes support from professional coaches and mentors.

How does the WE 360° program benefit participants?

Participants gain increased confidence, improved business skills, and a stronger ability to make personal decisions. They also benefit from networking opportunities and a supportive community.

January 9, 2026

Empowering Charleston’s Women: YWCA Boosts Entrepreneurial Spirit

Charleston, January 9, 2026

The YWCA Greater Charleston has launched enrollment for its WE 360° women’s business training course, aimed at nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of local women, particularly women of color. This free program focuses on developing essential business skills and fostering a supportive network to enhance innovation and economic growth within Charleston’s vibrant business community.

Charleston, SC

Empowering Charleston’s Women: YWCA Boosts Entrepreneurial Spirit

The YWCA Greater Charleston opens enrollment for its acclaimed women’s business training course, fostering innovation and resilience among local entrepreneurs to drive Lowcountry economic growth.

Introduction: Fueling Local Innovation and Prosperity

Charleston’s vibrant business landscape continues to be a cornerstone of South Carolina’s economic vitality, characterized by innovation and resilience. The sustained prosperity of our region relies heavily on the nurturing of new ventures and steadfast support for existing small businesses. This environment, which values a strong entrepreneurial spirit, is further strengthened by initiatives that empower individuals to pursue their business aspirations. Such programs contribute significantly to a robust local economy, creating opportunities for personal achievement and community-wide benefits.

In this spirit, the YWCA Greater Charleston has once again opened enrollment for its impactful women’s business training course, WE 360°. This program represents a community-driven effort to equip aspiring and current female entrepreneurs with the tools and confidence necessary to navigate the complexities of the business world. By focusing on practical skills and fostering a supportive network, the YWCA plays a crucial role in strengthening the foundation of our local economy through private initiative and dedicated support.

The WE 360° Program: A Catalyst for Business Growth

The YWCA Greater Charleston’s WE 360° program, which stands for Women’s Empowerment 360 Degrees, is a comprehensive training course specifically designed to help women entrepreneurs, particularly women of color, overcome common barriers in starting, growing, or sustaining their businesses. This multi-week workshop series aims to help participants solidify new business ideas, successfully launch ventures, or elevate existing operations to new levels of success. Since its inception as a pilot program in February 2020 with YWCA USA and other YWCAs nationwide, the WE 360° initiative has gained significant traction. Its importance grew during the pandemic, recognizing that women, especially women of color, faced disproportionately higher job losses. To date, the program has supported approximately 200 women.

The program is offered at no charge to participants, thanks to vital scholarships provided by individual and corporate donors, including sponsors like Bank of America. This commitment to accessibility ensures that financial constraints do not hinder promising entrepreneurial talent in the Lowcountry.

Developing Entrepreneurial Acumen and Confidence

The curriculum of the WE 360° program is meticulously structured to provide a holistic understanding of business fundamentals. Participants gain valuable knowledge and tools, along with enhanced confidence, essential for entrepreneurial success. Key areas of instruction include developing a sound business plan, navigating tax obligations, understanding market competition, and effectively separating personal finances from business finances. The program emphasizes cultivating a strategic business mindset rather than approaching ventures as mere hobbies.

Beyond classroom instruction, the WE 360° experience includes a self-guided preparatory process and provides access to professional coaches, such as BizGrove coach Keisha Smith, along with mentors and a broad community of fellow entrepreneurs. This robust support system extends to a national scale through an online WE 360° Business Essentials course, a partnership with YWCA USA and Ureeka, an online business community. This extended network offers unparalleled opportunities for learning and collaboration with women entrepreneurs across the country, broadening horizons and fostering a sense of collective advancement.

Tangible Outcomes and Personal Achievement

The impact of the WE 360° program is evident in the tangible successes of its graduates. Participants often report increased self-confidence, improved self-efficacy, and a greater ability to make critical personal and business decisions. For instance, Donna Mungin, a graduate of a previous WE 360° series, successfully transitioned her business by opening her first physical women’s boutique location in January 2021, an expansion she planned during the course. Her story exemplifies how dedicated training can provide the crucial boost needed to take a business to the next level.

Furthermore, the program fosters a supportive network where participants can share both their successes and challenges in a secure environment. This peer-to-peer learning and encouragement contribute significantly to building the confidence that many aspiring entrepreneurs may initially lack. Studies on entrepreneurship training generally indicate that such programs enhance business management, financial planning, and marketing skills, leading to greater financial independence and improved living standards for participants. Some women entrepreneurs participating in similar programs have even seen average revenue increases of 57% and a 35% increase in the value of their savings.

Contributing to Charleston County Economic Growth

The proliferation of programs like WE 360° is a testament to the community’s proactive approach to fostering economic growth, particularly by empowering individuals to create and expand their businesses. Charleston is a key driver of South Carolina’s economy, demonstrating strong Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and personal income growth in the first quarter of 2025, exceeding the national average. This growth is a reflection of the robust Charleston County economy and the broader statewide economic framework.

Charleston County has experienced remarkable employment growth, expanding at more than twice the rate of South Carolina overall, with a 45.2 percent increase versus 20.1 percent between 2001 and 2022. This significant difference underscores the local dynamism and the benefits derived from fostering a thriving business ecosystem. Small businesses are fundamental to this economic vitality. With women constituting 48.8 percent of workers and owning 44.2 percent of businesses in South Carolina in 2020, and women now making up 40 percent of new entrepreneurs nationwide—the highest percentage since 1996—support for female entrepreneurs directly translates into substantial economic contributions. Private initiatives like the YWCA’s WE 360° program, coupled with a business-friendly environment that encourages private investment and entrepreneurial freedom, are instrumental in continuing this positive trajectory for Charleston’s small business sector and the broader Lowcountry economic growth.

Conclusion: Building a Stronger Future, One Business at a Time

The YWCA Greater Charleston’s WE 360° women’s business training course is more than just an educational program; it is an engine for personal empowerment and a significant contributor to the Charleston SC business community. By providing essential skills, mentorship, and a vital network, the program champions the spirit of entrepreneurial innovation and small-business resilience that defines our region. It offers a clear pathway for women to achieve their financial independence and contribute meaningfully to the local economy.

As Charleston looks to the future, supporting such grassroots initiatives remains crucial for sustained Lowcountry economic growth. We encourage all aspiring and current women entrepreneurs to explore the opportunities offered by the WE 360° program and become part of Charleston’s thriving business narrative. Let us continue to champion local businesses and engage in efforts that foster a dynamic and prosperous environment for all South Carolina entrepreneurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the YWCA Greater Charleston’s WE 360° program?: The YWCA Greater Charleston’s WE 360° program is a comprehensive women’s business training course designed to help women entrepreneurs of color overcome barriers in entrepreneurship and provide tools to start, grow, or sustain their businesses.
Who is eligible for the WE 360° course?: The program primarily targets women entrepreneurs of color, but all women are welcome, with women of color especially encouraged to take advantage.
What is the cost of the WE 360° training?: The program is free to participants due to scholarships provided by individual and corporate donors, such as Bank of America.
What does the WE 360° curriculum cover?: The curriculum covers essential business skills such as business planning, taxes, understanding competition, and separating personal and business finances. It also includes support from professional coaches and mentors.
How does the WE 360° program benefit participants?: Participants gain increased confidence, improved business skills, and a stronger ability to make personal decisions. They also benefit from networking opportunities and a supportive community.
How does the WE 360° program contribute to the Charleston economy?: By empowering women to start and grow businesses, the program fosters entrepreneurial innovation and small-business resilience, contributing to Charleston’s overall economic growth and job creation.

Key Features of YWCA Greater Charleston’s WE 360° Program

Feature	Description	Scope
Program Name	WE 360° (Women’s Empowerment 360 Degrees)	Local
Organization	YWCA Greater Charleston	Local
Primary Goal	Help women entrepreneurs of color overcome barriers and provide tools to start, grow, or sustain businesses.	Local
Eligibility	All women are welcome, with women of color especially encouraged.	Local
Cost	Free, through scholarships from donors.	Local
Format	Multi-week virtual workshop series, including self-guided preparation.	Local
Curriculum Highlights	Business planning, taxes, market competition, financial management, strategic mindset development.	Local
Support System	Professional coaches, mentors, local entrepreneurial community, national online resources.	Local/Nationwide
Impact for Participants	Increased confidence, improved business skills, enhanced decision-making ability, networking.	Local
Economic Contribution	Fosters entrepreneurial innovation, small-business resilience, and Lowcountry economic growth.	Local
Program History	Started as a pilot in February 2020, expanded during the pandemic, has helped ~200 women.	Nationwide/Local