Our Goal
200+ WOMEN. ONE CAPITOL. ONE MISSION.
Women business owners from every corner of Texas are traveling to Austin to meet their representatives, tell their stories and advocate for the small and microbusinesses that power our state.
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Come with an open heart on fire to speak for women business owners.
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Press will be present.
TWO DAYS IN AUSTIN
DAY ONE · TUESDAY, MARCH 3 — WELCOME TO AUSTIN
By 4:00 PM
Arrive in Austin
Everyone should plan to arrive by 4 PM. Check with your city's Advocacy Chair for transportation details. Ride the bus!
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Advocacy Chair contact details listed below.Â
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5:00–8:00 PM
Location: TBD
Welcome Dinner & Headline Speaker
Join Mayor Kirk Watson for a formal dinner and hear from our keynote speaker.
DAY TWO · WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 — ADVOCACY DAY
Advocacy Chairs
San Antonio
Christina Randell
crandell@myedusolutions.com
8:15 AM–8:45 AM
Photo at the Capitol
Walk or Ride to the Capitol (5 min walk from Hotel). Photos at 8:30 AM sharp.
9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Meet Your Representatives
Meet with your legislators and share our priorities for Texas microbusinesses.
12:00–1:00 PM
Women Who Lead Texas Panel
Hear from the women helping shape Texas about their path to leadership.
2:00 PM
Buses Depart
Board your chapter's bus home.
Houston
Patrina Pelton Smith
patrina@businessofcharity.com
DFW
Lisa Ratcliff
publicpolicy@nawbodfw.org
HEADLINE SPEAKER
Kirk Watson
Mayor of Austin
Kirk Watson is serving his second tenure as Mayor of Austin, having first led the city from 1997 to 2001 and returning to office in 2023. In between, he spent 13 years in the Texas Senate representing District 14 (2007–2020), including service as President Pro Tempore. A champion for women entrepreneurs, Mayor Watson formed the Mayor's Task Force for Austin Women Entrepreneurs to close gaps in resources and opportunity for women-owned businesses, committing to make Austin "the best place for women to start and grow a business."
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A longtime public servant and advocate for economic opportunity, Mayor Kirk Watson has championed initiatives to strengthen Austin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a particular focus on supporting women-owned businesses.
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Champion for Women Entrepreneurs: Established the Mayor’s Task Force for Austin Women Entrepreneurs in 2023 to identify barriers and expand opportunities for women business owners.
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Advancing Economic Opportunity: Supported efforts to establish Austin’s Women’s Business Center, improving access to resources, mentorship, and business development opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
YOUR BUSINESS HAS A VOICE.
Decisions made in Austin shape how women-owned businesses hire, grow and compete. No lobbying or political experience is needed—NAWBO Texas prepares you, and you walk into the Capitol alongside women business owners from across the state.
OUR GOAL
Texas Microbusiness Day
Our goal is to make March 4 an official Texas holiday — Texas Microbusiness Day — recognizing that the 90% of businesses that never pass seven figures are the backbone of the Texas economy. We are bringing this legislative priority to lawmakers for official designation.
Bill Number
To be announced
Legislative Sponsor
To be announced
Status
Proposed — advocacy in progress
WOMEN WHO LEAD TEXAS
March 4 · 12:00–1:00 PM · Hear from the women helping shape Texas about their path to leadership.
CONFIRMED
CONFIRMED
Rep. Lulu Flores
Sen. Donna Campbell, M.D.
Rep. Senfronia Thompson
Rep. Hillary Hickland
Rep. Caroline Harris Davila
(Invited) — Texas House District 51 (Austin)
(Invited) — Texas Senate District 25
(Invited) — Texas House District 141 (Houston)
Texas House District 55 (Bell County)
Texas House District 52 (Williamson County)
Invited panelists will be updated as they confirm.
WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE
01
MEET YOUR TEXAS LEGISLATORS
02
LEARN HOW STATE ADVOCACY WORKS
03
ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES
04
CONNECT WITH WOMEN ACROSS TEXAS
05
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS CHAPTERS
06
HEAR FROM THE WOMEN WHO LEAD TEXAS
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HELP MAKE TEXAS MICROBUSINESS DAY OFFICIAL
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
NAWBO MEMBERS
WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS
ENTREPRENEURS
BUSINESS LEADERS
CHAPTER LEADERS
WOMEN INTERESTED IN PUBLIC POLICY
Non-member registration details: to be confirmed
Travel & Logistics
Plan to arrive in Austin by 4 PM on March 3. Chapter bus transportation is coordinated by your city's Advocacy Chair.
Host Hotel
TBA
Room Block
TBA
Group Rate
TBA
Booking Deadline
TBA
Hotel Address
TBA
Distance to Capitol
TBA
Parking Details
TBA
Chapter Transport
Coordinated by Advocacy Chair
PUT YOUR BRAND BEHIND THE VOICE OF TEXAS WOMEN IN BUSINESS.
Partner with NAWBO Texas to amplify your brand's impact. Showcase your commitment to Texas microbusinesses and leadership through our statewide advocacy summit.
PRESENTING
Lead the conversation. Your brand will be featured in all summit communications, digital assets, and high-impact event materials.
CAPITOL
Join the movement. Your logo will be displayed on the event website and social channels, with dedicated visibility at the Capitol.
ADVOCATE
Be a part of the mission. Showcase your brand through our digital presence and receive a professional event invitation.
FAQ
Who can attend?
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NAWBO members, women business owners, entrepreneurs, and business leaders are welcome. We are bringing together the voices of Texas to advocate for our state.
Do I need to be a NAWBO member?
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While membership is encouraged, we welcome all women business owners. NAWBO Texas will provide all the advocacy preparation you need to meet your representatives.
Do I need advocacy experience?
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No. We will prepare you before you meet your representatives. Our goal is to ensure every woman has a powerful voice at the Capitol.
What should I wear?
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Business professional attire. You will be at the Texas Capitol and press will be present, so we recommend a sophisticated and authoritative look.
Where should I stay?
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Host hotel details are coming soon. We will provide a group rate and room block for all attendees to ensure a comfortable stay in Austin.
How do I get to Austin?
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Plan to arrive by 4 PM on March 3. Chapter bus transportation is coordinated by your city's Advocacy Chair. Contact your city's chair for details.
Will we actually meet with legislators?
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Yes. On March 4, 9 AM–12 PM, we will meet with your legislators at the Texas Capitol to share our priorities for Texas microbusinesses.
What happens on March 3?
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Arrive by 4 PM. Join us for a Welcome Dinner and Headline Speaker: Mayor Kirk Watson, followed by a networking session.
What happens on March 4?
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Capitol meetings 9–12 PM, Women Who Lead Texas panel 12–1 PM, and buses depart at 2 PM to return home.
How do I become a sponsor?
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Details available on request. Sponsorship opportunities are available at three tiers: Presenting, Capitol, and Advocate.
What is Texas Microbusiness Day?
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Our goal is to make March 4 an official Texas holiday recognizing the microbusinesses that are the backbone of the Texas economy. This is a proposed advocacy in progress.
