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The business landscape is complex, and entrepreneurs often face challenges as they seek to scale. These range from limited access to capital and smaller contracting opportunities to cash liquidity vulnerabilities and difficulty navigating economic uncertainty.

Supporting and growing local and diverse businesses, including those led by women, is key to building a diverse economy and business climate where all entrepreneurs can thrive. According to data recently released by the United States Census Bureau, around 1.3 million U.S. employer firms (nearly 23% of all U.S. employer firms) were women-owned in 2022, representing over $2 trillion in receipts, 11.4 million employees and over $500 billion in annual payroll.

On this page, you’ll find stories, tools and resources from across JPMorganChase that all business leaders—including women owners and entrepreneurs—can use for inspiration and education.

Access to capital

Learn from other business leaders and read tips on identifying funding opportunities and understanding types of capital to build your financial foundation.

    

Discover how we can help support your business by delivering resources to spur your growth and help strengthen diverse and underserved communities.

Visit our website

    

Navigating the economic landscape

Change and uncertainty have always been integral to the economic, technological and business landscape. Discover valuable perspectives on how to stay the course through it all:

| Play Video

Meet Ann Ramakumaran

Ann Ramakumaran, founder and CEO of Ampcus, talks about her family’s influence on her work ethic, her early career in India and how she identified a gap in consulting services that her company now fills.

| Play Video

Meet Ann Ramakumaran

Ann Ramakumaran, founder and CEO of Ampcus, talks about her family’s influence on her work ethic, her early career in India and how she identified a gap in consulting services that her company now fills.

Side note:
Bright music plays.

Text on screen:
Thriving in uncertain times.

Logos:
 - J.P. Morgan;
 - (and) Chase (with the Chase octagon symbol).

Text on screen:
Meet Ann Ramakumaran - Celebrating 20 years of her technology and business consulting and staff augmentation firm in 2024.

On screen:

A man with closely cropped dark hair and brown eyes begins a virtual interview. He wears a light blue dress shirt and dark blue suit jacket.

Text on screen:
Frederick Royall the Third. National Head of Diverse Businesses, JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking.

Fred:
Ann, thank you for joining us today. You've been thriving for years, and I'd love to dig into your story. How did your early years in India shape you both personally and professionally?

On screen:

Ann, a woman with long black hair and brown eyes, replies. She is wearing a black suit, paired with gold earrings and a necklace.

Text on screen:

Ann Ramakumaran. Founder and CEO, Ampcus.

Ann:
Fred, I moved to the United States a little over 24 years ago, born and raised in a city called Pune, which is close to Mumbai in India. There were four things that my parents really ensured that my brother and I followed, and they made it a point of reminding us every single day. And those four things were, one, importance of education and focusing on continuous learning. The second thing that my dad would always remind me of is, remember, not all days are going to be glory days. It's important that you continue to work hard, stay focused, and most importantly, continue to do well by doing good. And most importantly, whatever you do, do it with the most honesty and integrity. And all of those things kind of stuck to me, and, you know, that's what actually shaped me to who I am personally. One thing that my parents would always talk about, and that is, you know, it's so important to work hard, be disciplined, there's no shortcut to success, but remember there's a solution to every single problem. And from a professional standpoint, I started working for a headhunting and a consulting company in India. So fast forward, Fred, moved to the United States 24 years ago, worked for a startup, and that's where I realized that there were a lot of companies, Fred, in the United States that either focused on providing business consulting services, technology consulting services, or staff augmentation services, but there weren’t many diverse businesses to solve business challenges by infusing the right technology solution, by bringing in the right talent, and provide contingent labor services. Hence felt the need of starting that entrepreneurial journey in 2004.

Fred:

What's your elevator pitch for Ampcus? What makes it unique in the marketplace?

Ann:

Fred, great question, so Ampcus is a global business and a technology consulting and a staff augmentation firm headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, 25 miles west of Washington, D.C.

Logo:

Ampcus -

Collaboration redefined.

Text on screen:

 - ISO 20000, ISO 27000, ISO 9001, CMMI DEV/3 (service mark) and CMMI SVC/3 (service mark) certified global provider of technology and business consulting and staff augmentation services;

 - Founded in 2004;

 - (and) Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia.

Ann:
What we do is provide innovative, cost-effective quality and sustainable IT and business solutions and staff augmentation services to over 80 of the 100 Fortune companies, agencies, nonprofits, and managed service providers. Today, Ampcus and Ampcus-owned subsidiaries together employ over 2,300 employees globally, we have 17 customer support offices in the U.S., seven global tellery centers, and two innovation labs. And we exist to bring positive impact in the lives of our customers. There's so much that we've learned in this 20 years, and because of having that right attitude of continuous learning, adapting and embracing change, Fred, we've continued to grow, thrive, and succeed in the marketplace.

Fred:

Tell us about your involvement in the National Minority Supplier Development Council and the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. Why are these partnerships so important to you?

Ann:

Yeah, Fred, as you're aware, National Minority Supplier Development Council is a council that has been in existence for over 50-plus years, and they exist to bring positive impact in the lives of minority-owned businesses like us. And when we talk about WBENC, that's an organization that certifies women-owned businesses, and they've been certifying women-owned businesses for over 25-plus years. Ampcus is a woman- and a minority-owned and -certified company by both of these organizations. They really make our journey from connections to contracts, to contracts, a beautiful journey.

Text on screen:

Ampcus is a minority woman-owned company, certified by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) and other certifying bodies.

Ann:

It's really helped our business get to where we are today. We've always believed in doing well by doing good, and that's the reason why we've done our part as well. Last year and the year before last, we've spent a little over $22 million with other diverse businesses that are certified by NMSDC, WBENC, and USPAACC.

Text on screen:

In the past two years, Ampcus has spent more than $22 million with other diverse businesses certified by NMSDC, WBENC and USPAACC.

Ann:

This is our way of saying thank you for all the great things that they've been doing for diverse businesses like us.

Fred:

Ann, it's been wonderful hearing your story, your growth, the trajectory. There's so many key lessons learned, so just wanted to say thank you for your time and the advice that you've shared.

Ann:

Thank you, Fred.

Side note:
Bright music plays.

On screen:

Ann smiles as the video concludes.

Logos:

 - J.P. Morgan;

 - (and) Chase (with the Chase octagon symbol).

Side note:

Legal disclosures appear.
Text on screen:

Chase, J.P. Morgan,  JPMorgan, JPMorgan Chase, and Story by J.P. Morgan are marketing names for certain businesses of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates and subsidiaries worldwide (collectively, "JPMC", "We", "Our" or "Us", as the context may require).

The material contained in this video is intended as general market commentary and does not constitute legal, tax, investment, accounting, financial, business, real estate, or any other advice, and should not be relied upon as such. The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed in this video are those of JPMC , or other featured speakers, and may differ from those of Commercial Banking or other JPMC employees and affiliates. This video in no way constitutes an offer or commitment to provide a particular product or service. Products and services offered by JPMC and its affiliates are subject to applicable laws and regulations, as well as our service terms and policies. Not all products and services are available in all geographic areas or to all customers.

Credit is subject to approval. Rates and programs are subject to change; certain restrictions apply.

This content does not constitute J.P. Morgan research and should not be treated as such. Any views expressed are often based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice. Any statistics referenced have been obtained from external sources deemed to be reliable, but we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. In no event shall JPMorgan Chase nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents be liable for any use of, for any decision made or action taken in reliance upon, or for any inaccuracies or errors in or omissions from, the information in this video.

Copyright 2024 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Deposits held in non-U.S. branches are not FDIC insured.

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Equal Housing Lender.

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Supplier network opportunities

Expand your business by connecting with corporate and government buyers looking to diversify their supply chains. Learn about certification processes, as well as how to identify contract opportunities and prepare your business to compete for larger opportunities.

“By a number of metrics, women have achieved their highest representation in public leadership roles.”

Leadership, inclusion and community development

JPMorganChase continues to champion women entrepreneurs by sponsoring the Women Presidents Organization's 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies Ranking, highlighting the impact of women-led growth and innovation.

Here are resources that highlight examples of leadership, building connections and empowering communities.

Tamira Chapman, founder and CEO of Storehouse In A Box

Tamira Chapman, founder and CEO of Storehouse In A Box

JPMorganChase leadership

Discover how JPMorganChase is championing innovation, sustainability and diversity to drive economic opportunity and empower future leaders.

Visit our website to discover how we can help support businesses with capital, expertise and financial solutions that encourage growth and strengthen communities.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Visit jpmorgan.com/commercial-banking/legal-disclaimer for disclosures and disclaimers related to this content.

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