We were lucky to catch up with Hindi Marciniak recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Hindi, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I found my purpose through a combination of personal experiences, resilience, and a deep desire to create something meaningful not just for myself, but for others.., I realized my true passion wasn’t just about personal success—it was about empowering others.
I started the Reno Women-Owned Business (RWOB) group, Because I was looking to build connections and collaboration with other women entrepreneurs. But what happened next was far beyond my expectations. In less than six months, the group grew to nearly 4,000 members. What stood out to me most was how often women were actively reaching out in the group looking for recommendations on women-owned businesses to support.
It wasn’t just casual interest—it was a deep, genuine desire to support each other’s businesses. The volume of women joining the group just so they could find and support other women-owned businesses was overwhelming and incredibly inspiring. It proved that there was a massive, unmet need for visibility, connection, and resources specifically for women business owners.
That realization was the catalyst for launching Empowered Ventures. I saw the power of community and collaboration within RWOB and knew I had to build something bigger. My purpose became clear: to create a nationwide platform where women-owned businesses could be easily found, supported, and uplifted. Empowered Ventures is about providing the resources, mentorship, and community that so many women are craving. It’s about making sure that women have a place to thrive, connect, and achieve their goals together.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m Hindi Marciniak, the Founder and CEO of Empowered Ventures. Honestly, this all started with me just trying to build something meaningful for women like me—women business owners who are out here doing everything they can to build their dreams, often with little support or recognition.
I started the Reno Women-Owned Business (RWOB) group, just hoping to create a community where women entrepreneurs could connect, share resources, and support one another. I had no idea how quickly it would take off. Within six months, we had nearly 4,000 members, and it hit me that there was a real need for something bigger.
I kept seeing women asking for recommendations for women-owned businesses. They were looking to support each other and grow together. It was like everyone was just waiting for a place where they could be seen and appreciated for what they were building.
That’s what drove me to create Empowered Ventures. It’s not just a directory; it’s a movement. I want every woman business owner to have a place where she can be seen, found, and celebrated. Whether she’s running a small business from her kitchen table or leading a larger enterprise, she deserves the same opportunity to connect with her community and thrive.
Building this platform has become my full-time obsession. I’m constantly reaching out to women business owners, making sure they know this space exists for them. It’s a 24/7 commitment, but it doesn’t feel like work because it’s something I truly believe in.
The most exciting part of this journey right now is planning our first EmpowHERment Summit & Expo. It’s happening right here in Reno, and it’s all about bringing women entrepreneurs together to learn from each other, share their experiences, and grow. We’re hosting workshops, panels, and an expo designed to address the real challenges women business owners face, provide practical, empowering solutions, and showcase their businesses. It’s about building genuine connections, fostering collaboration, and creating a stronger network of women business owners who can support each other’s growth.
And this is just the beginning. My vision goes beyond just creating a directory or hosting events. Eventually, my hope is that Empowered Ventures start a nonprofit foundation offering grants, scholarships, and education opportunities for women entrepreneurs. I want to make sure that women have every tool they need to succeed.
This whole journey is about making sure women business owners are seen, valued, and supported. It’s personal for me, and it’s become my purpose.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I think the three most impactful qualities on my journey have been resilience, relationship-building, and vision.
Resilience: I’ve had ideas for businesses over the years, but there was never a place that offered the kind of support I needed to make them succeed. The fact that those ideas never came to fruition probably means I wouldn’t be here today building Empowered Ventures, and for that, I’m grateful. Resilience has been essential—not just in continuing to try, but in recognizing that every experience was part of the process. It’s about learning, adapting, and finding the strength to keep going, even when things don’t work out as planned. For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to embrace the challenges and understand that every step, even the difficult ones, is leading you somewhere important.
Relationship-Building: The connections I’ve made along the way have been absolutely critical. Building Empowered Ventures wasn’t just about having a good idea—it was about reaching out, connecting with women business owners, listening to their stories, and creating something that truly serves them. Strong relationships are the backbone of everything I’m building. My advice? Be genuine, be generous with your support, and listen more than you speak. Relationships built on authenticity and mutual support will always be your greatest asset.
Vision: Having a clear vision has been my compass. Even when I didn’t know exactly how I was going to make it happen, I knew what I wanted to build—an accessible, empowering platform for women business owners. Vision keeps you grounded when things get tough and helps you make decisions that align with your bigger purpose. My advice to anyone starting out is to get really clear on your “why.” Know what you’re working toward and let that guide everything you do.
For anyone early in their journey, I would say this: Don’t be afraid to pivot or let go of ideas that aren’t working. Every experience is valuable. Invest in relationships and always hold onto your vision. Everything else can be learned or figured out along the way.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
My biggest area of growth over the past 12 months has been realizing that collaboration is far more powerful than competition. All my life, I felt like I was constantly competing—whether it was in school, in business, or just in life in general. It always felt like there was a limited amount of success to go around, and I had to fight for my place.
When I started the Reno Women-Owned Facebook group, my original intention was pretty self-serving. I thought if I connected with certain women business owners, it would help me grow my own side business. But something incredible happened. Almost 4,000 women joined that group, and it completely changed my life.
I found myself spending all my time on that group—engaging in conversations, offering advice, encouraging them, and doing everything I could to help these women, most of whom were complete strangers, grow their businesses. And I wasn’t getting paid for it. There was nothing in it for me beyond the fulfillment of seeing them succeed. It was just a genuine, authentic desire to help and support them.
That’s when everything shifted for me. I realized that building something meaningful isn’t about competition; it’s about collaboration, lifting each other up, and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive. The group showed me what my purpose was. It wasn’t just about me or my business—it was about all of us.
That’s where the idea for Empowered Ventures came from. It grew from this authentic desire to help, to build something bigger than myself, and to create a platform that could support women business owners everywhere—not just in Reno. It’s been the most powerful realization of my journey so far, and it’s changed everything about how I approach what I’m building.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.womenowned-business.com
- Instagram: empowered_ventures
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572983079122
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowered-ventures-directory/
Image Credits
Ezell Images
Design On Edge
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