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ABOUT US
THE WOMEN BEHIND THE BRAND
Kate Isler and Susan Gates are the cofounders of The WMarketplace, The Economic Engine for Women. Seasoned business professionals with decades of experience in starting, growing and running businesses, Kate and Susan joined forces in 2020 to start The WMarketplace and support other women entrepreneurs and close the economic gender gap.
Susan and Kate know that when you invest in women, you are investing in their families, their communities and, most importantly, in their economic security. With women starting businesses at record rates and the skyrocketing global opportunity for marketing and selling online, they bring their years of experience to helping women access, sell and grow in the digital economy.
Both cofounders bring years of international business experience to WMarketplace, and their support for female founders quickly found an overseas market. With the urgent need to support women in Ukraine as they are sustaining and rebuilding their country, WMarketplace leveraged its knowledge of entrepreneurship in the digital econonomy and experience in public/private partnerships to bring WMarketplace training, market assessment, and consulting services to this vital group of entrepreneurs.
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WMarketplace continues to support digital access and technical skills of U.S.-based women entrepreneurs through ongoing partnerships with Women's Business Centers through which we deliver our ecommerce Accelerator. Our partnership with California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development resulted in customized training for new-to-export businesses in California ready to explore global markets.
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Our government relationships include our Official Strategic Partnership with the International Trade Administration, working with the U.S. State Department’s Academy for Women Entrepreneurs and workshop training with ITA’s SABIT program. This is a growing part of our business and we are deeply committed to supporting women entrepreneurs around the world.
Kate and Susan have been friends since 2003 when they briefly worked together at a tech start up in Seattle. While the startup didn’t last, Susan and Kate became fast friends with their shared values and mission for gender equity. Kate and Susan both are married, live in Seattle and have kids ranging from teenagers to grown men in their 30s. They are firmly committed to building a more equitable world for everyone.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
KATE ISLER
Co-Founder / CEO
Kate Isler, a true pioneer and advocate for gender equality. With a career spanning over 20 years, Kate has been a driving force in reshaping the landscape for women-owned businesses and challenging gender norms.
As a co-founder of WMarketplace, an innovative ecommerce accelerator and online sales channel, Kate has passionately championed women-owned businesses and micro businesses, providing them with the support they need to thrive in today's competitive market. Her commitment to fostering change doesn't stop there – Kate is also the co-founder of Be Bold for Change, a non-profit organization with a clear mission: to empower and activate change-makers who are working to bridge the gender gap, both today and in the future.
SUSAN GATES
Co-Founder / COO
Susan Gates is an entrepreneur and gender advocate with extensive experience in business development across the private, public, and non-profit sectors. She serves as the Co-founder and COO of The WMarketplace Inc in Seattle, WA, where she drives overall business strategy, spearheads small business training and consulting, and fosters public-private partnerships. Previously, she managed sponsorship and advertising sales for the non-profit Specialty Coffee Association.
Susan has a robust background in national sales management, having developed major retail accounts and led international sales teams for direct-to-consumer brands at The Kerry Group in Seattle, WA. Her role as Director of Business Planning at FluencyGroup, Inc. saw her strategize international market entry and develop new business channels for a tech startup. ​
