Hindi Marciniak of Empowered Ventures Champions Women-Owned Businesses Nationwide

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business

Hi, I’m Hindi Marciniak, Founder and CEO of Empowered Ventures. After 30+ years leading marketing for global tech companies like Apple and NEC, I launched Empowered Ventures to create meaningful visibility for women entrepreneurs. Our flagship initiative is the Women-Owned Business Directory—the only national platform dedicated to listing, promoting, and supporting women-owned businesses. It’s fully searchable by state and city, helping communities easily find and support women-led companies across the U.S. I’m passionate about helping women grow, connect, and thrive through visibility, community, and intentional support.

Who are your customers?

Every single Women Business Owner

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Before starting my own business, I spent over 30 years leading marketing strategies for major tech companies, including Apple and NEC. My background spans global brand management, digital marketing, channel development, and demand generation. I worked across industries like cloud, cybersecurity, and hardware—building campaigns, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, and driving measurable growth. That experience gave me the foundation to launch my own ventures with a strong strategic mindset and a passion for innovation, visibility, and results.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

What made me take the leap was the experience of starting the Reno Women-Owned Business (RWOB) group. What began as a simple way to connect local women business owners quickly turned into a powerful community of nearly 4,000 members in just a few months. Through that journey, I kept hearing the same thing: women-owned businesses need more visibility, more access to customers, and more meaningful support. With my background in marketing and brand growth, I knew I could do something about it. That’s what led me to launch Empowered Ventures and the national Women-Owned Business Directory—to give women a platform to be seen, supported, and celebrated across every city in the U.S.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Yes, absolutely.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

When I first launched Empowered Ventures | Women-Owned Business Directory, my marketing strategy was rooted in community first. I wanted to leverage the momentum and trust I had built through the Reno Women-Owned Business (RWOB) Facebook group, which had already grown to nearly 4,000 engaged members. I used that platform to test messaging, build awareness, and create a groundswell of support from women who believed in the mission.

From there, I focused on grassroots marketing—social media campaigns, direct outreach to business owners, local partnerships, and word-of-mouth. I also created compelling messaging around affordability, visibility, and community impact, which helped drive early adoption.

Did it go as planned? In many ways, yes. The passion and support were there, but like any launch, there were learning curves—particularly around conversion and messaging clarity. It’s an ongoing process, but the foundation has been strong because it started with a real need and a real community.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

The biggest challenge so far has been helping women business owners truly see the value of being listed in the directory. Many are overwhelmed, wearing multiple hats, and hesitant to invest in yet another platform—even one built specifically for them.

What I’ve learned is that visibility alone isn't enough to drive action; you have to clearly connect that visibility to tangible outcomes. I’ve had to refine our messaging to focus on what matters most to business owners—affordable exposure, community support, and being easily found by customers who want to shop intentionally.

It’s also taught me the importance of consistency, education, and patience. Building a national movement takes time, and trust is earned one relationship at a time.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is launching the first national Women-Owned Business Directory and seeing it begin to grow beyond just an idea. What started as a local group—created to connect and support women business owners in Reno—has evolved into a national platform that empowers women across the U.S. to be more visible, more connected, and more supported.

I’m proud of the fact that we built this from the ground up, without a massive budget or corporate backing—just passion, strategy, and a real need in the market. Hearing from women who have gained new clients, made meaningful connections, or felt truly seen for the first time because of this platform is what makes it all worth it.

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

Absolutely! One of my biggest wins this past year was successfully launching the Women-Owned Business Directory—built entirely from the ground up. I worked side-by-side with an incredible woman web developer, and together we poured everything into designing this platform from scratch.

We worked around the clock—literally 24/7—while I also managed a full-time job, raised my family, and stayed active in community volunteer work. It was intense, exhausting, and deeply fulfilling. Seeing the directory live and watching women-owned businesses begin to gain visibility through it has been one of the most rewarding milestones of my career. I’m proud of what we’ve created—and even more excited for what’s ahead.

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

What’s next is growth on every level. Over the next few years, you can expect to see significant expansion of the Women-Owned Business Directory—not only in the number of businesses listed, but in the number of communities actively using it as their go-to resource to find and support women-owned businesses.

Our focus is on making the directory a household name—something individuals, organizations, and even cities rely on when choosing where to spend their dollars. And most importantly, we’re working to create measurable growth for the women-owned businesses themselves—in visibility, in customers, and in revenue.

This isn’t just a platform—it’s a national movement to help women be found, supported, and celebrated.

What is your top productivity tip? 

My top productivity tip: prioritize with purpose and protect your focus. Every day, I identify the one thing that will move the needle the most—and I tackle that first, before the emails, calls, and distractions set in.

I’ve also learned the power of time-blocking and saying no. If it’s not aligned with my core mission or goals, it can wait or be delegated. As women founders, we’re often juggling a lot—clarity and boundaries are everything when it comes to staying productive and protecting your energy.

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

Avoiding burnout is a constant practice, especially when you’re building something you deeply care about. For me, it comes down to creating space to reset—without guilt. That means stepping away when I need to, even if it’s just for a walk, a quiet cup of coffee, or time with my family.

I love giving back to my community and stay actively involved as a member of the Junior League—it keeps me grounded and connected to something bigger than myself. But more than anything, spending quality time with my 16-year-old daughter is what truly fills my cup. She’s my inspiration and my balance. That time with her reminds me of what really matters and helps me return to my work with a clear mind and full heart.

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

Right now, work-life balance is more like work-life overlap. Being in startup mode means I’m all in—every idea, every conversation, every spare moment seems to connect back to the mission I’m building. It’s not easy, but I’ve accepted that this phase requires intensity.

That said, I do believe in integration more than balance. I carve out intentional time with my daughter, I stay active in my community through the Junior League, and I try to find small daily moments that bring me joy and grounding. It’s not always perfect, but I remind myself that this season of hustle is building something bigger—and that makes the sacrifices feel meaningful.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

One thing I wish I had known when I started my Entreprenista journey is that not everyone will see your vision right away—and that’s okay. I expected the value to be immediately clear to everyone, especially since the mission felt so important. But I’ve learned that building something new takes time, education, and resilience.

You have to keep showing up, keep refining your message, and trust that the right people will get it—and they’ll become your biggest advocates. Patience, persistence, and belief in your purpose are everything.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

My go-to interview question is: “Do you believe in the mission of Empowered Ventures—and why?”

I ask this because passion and alignment matter just as much as skills. We’re building something that’s bigger than a business—it’s a movement to elevate women-owned businesses across the country. I want to know that anyone joining our team is not only capable, but also connected to the purpose. When someone believes in the mission, they show up with heart, grit, and a true sense of ownership—and that’s the kind of energy that drives us forward.

If you've raised capital for your business already, what are some of your best tips or lessons learned?

My vision attracted 2 amazing women entrepreneurs here in Reno, they came to me and basically said I see you, I believe in you and I want to be your partner.

Are you a Mamaprenista? If so, please share your best advice for simultaneously managing a business and a family

Yes, I’m absolutely a Mamaprenista (of 3) —and proud of it. Managing a business while raising a family is one of the toughest balancing acts, but also one of the most rewarding. My best advice? Be present where you are and give yourself grace where you can’t be.

Do you have a co-founder? If so, how did you find the right one for you and what are your best partnership tips?

Yes, I do have two co-founders. They watched as I built a community of over 4,000 women business owners and supporters here in Reno, and they saw the vision I was creating through that momentum. What started as a grassroots movement really resonated with them—and they approached me with the idea of becoming partners.

My best partnership tip? Make sure your values and vision align from the very beginning. Skills can be complementary, but your purpose has to be shared. Also, be clear on roles, communicate often, and respect each other’s strengths. A great partnership isn’t just about the business—it’s about trust, belief in the mission, and mutual commitment to the impact you’re trying to make.

What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

Honestly? Just my phone. Seriously—I actually have two! As a founder in startup mode, my phone is my lifeline. It keeps me connected to my team, my community, my family, and everything in between. Whether it’s answering messages, joining meetings, managing social media, or sharing updates, it’s the one tool I can’t afford to be without. Having two just helps me stay even more organized and responsive—because when you’re building something this big, you have to be ready for anything, anytime.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

My favorite business tool right now is Canva. It’s a total game-changer when it comes to creating professional, eye-catching visuals—especially when you're moving fast and need to communicate your brand clearly across social media, email, and presentations.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

My advice to aspiring Entreprenistas: trust your vision, even when it feels like you’re the only one who sees it.

When I started building my platform, not everyone understood what I was trying to do. But I kept going—because I knew in my heart that it mattered. You’re going to hit roadblocks, face doubt (sometimes even your own), and question if you’re doing it right. That’s all part of the journey.

Surround yourself with people who believe in you, ask for help when you need it, and give yourself grace along the way. You don’t need to have it all figured out—you just need to start, stay consistent, and stay rooted in your why.

You’re building something powerful. Don’t let the noise shake you. Keep showing up.

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