Women’s Business Owners Group Acts as ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ Advisory Panel to the Congressional Family Business Caucus
-- Women business owners sat down with legislative insiders from Washington, D.C., here recently to discuss key legislative issues critical to women-owned family businesses, including looming wealth and estate taxes.
The Women’s Business Owners Group (The Group) event was attended by over 20 women business owners and included sessions on legislative insights, new legislation affecting family businesses, and insights from the legislative director from Rep. Young Kim’s (R-CA) office.
The Group is a coalition of women-owned business leaders dedicated to highlighting and addressing the unique challenges faced by women-owned businesses across the country.
The meeting was kicked off by Sherri Bovino, Chief Executive Officer, Global, a 1st Flagship Company, and Pat Soldano, President, Family Enterprise USA. The Women’s Business Owners Group was founded by Family Enterprise USA (FEUSA).
The Group also introduced the new Chief Executive Officer of Family Enterprise USA, Tim Schultz, who succeeds Soldano at Family Enterprise USA at the end of the year.
Women-owned businesses employ over 12.2 million employees nationwide and
represent nearly 40 percent of all U.S. businesses, or over 14 million businesses in total, accounting for $2.7 trillion in revenue, according to the Wells Fargo research.
During the meeting, held at Bistango Restaurant, a summary of the recent and successful "Beyond the Ballot" gathering was shared, an event focused on educating people about the California wealth tax and national wealth tax proposals.
This was followed by economic policy discussion led by special guest Russ Sullivan, a Capitol Hill expert and shareholder at the legal and government affairs firm, Brownstein, based in Washington, D.C.
Key topics Sullivan addressed included the shifting thresholds and implications of proposed California wealth tax, estate taxes, liquidity challenges, and the broader effects of these taxes driving businesses and wealth out of California.
In addition, Rep. Kim’s legislative director gave an update on the Congresswoman's policy priorities and legislative milestones.
The update highlighted the passage of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, alongside committee advancements for the Credit Access and Inclusion Act, the REG Act, and a payments fraud prevention act.
Throughout the meeting, the subject of wealth taxes was a major discussion point, with approximately 40 wealth tax bills or proposals at the state level and 15 proposed nationally, including the California wealth tax, which is driving the national wealth tax conversation.
The potential negative "ripple effects" of wealth taxes were explored, including family women-owned businesses needing to sell assets, have capital gains tax liabilities on those forced sales, and the risk of driving wealthy individuals, senior leadership teams, and associated vendors out of California.
The meeting briefly touched upon past legislative successes regarding the estate tax, including bipartisan efforts to repeal it, and subsequent permanent reductions in the estate tax rate alongside increased exemption amounts.
“With so many looming issues affecting women-owned family businesses, and all family businesses, it’s important we understand the importance knowing the critical bills and proposals coming out of our nation’s capital,” said Soldano about The Group’s meeting. “The purpose of The Group is to amplify the voices of women entrepreneurs, foster collaboration, and advocate for policies that promote equity in business.”
The Group was created to further educate and inform Congress on the importance of women-owned businesses and to work with the bipartisan Congressional Family Business Caucus, which has its final 2026 meeting on Sept. 23 on Capitol Hill.
“We excited to see our lawmakers involved in this growing group of women entrepreneurs in all lines of business and industry,” Soldano said.
For more information about the Women’s Business Owners Group go to: familyenterpriseusa.com.
Contact Info:
Name: Bob Chew
Email: Send Email
Organization: Family Enterprise USA and Family Enterprise USA Action
Address: 712 H Street NE Suite 1330, Washington DC, United States
Phone: 310-383-0528
Website: https://familyenterpriseusa.com/
Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e04-x9UwSVk
Release ID: 89204928
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