Profile on Shawni Jackson, Director of Cortex District Nonprofit Women’s Business Development Center

Shawni Jackson, director of the established business program and services at the Women’s Business Development Center, believes there isn’t a specific trait entrepreneurs need to have to be successful – they just need ambition and grit.

“The people who are literally coming into my office and who are sitting down and having real conversations with me, they really want it, and they're going to do whatever it takes, all the work to make it happen,” Jackson said.

Jackson helps businesses find funding, develop a pitch and gain Women-Owned Business certification, a designation from the Women Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) that gives increased visibility and access to networking opportunities.

The St. Louis WBDC, one of the organization's seven offices around the country, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. In the 2025 fiscal year alone, the WBDC served 4,936 clients, creating and retaining 586 jobs.