Together We Bake’s Vision for Workforce Development

A Message from Executive Director Tricia Allen

At Together We Bake, we’ve always believed that economic opportunity is the foundation of a just and thriving community. For over a decade, we’ve supported women navigating life transitions—whether from incarceration, addiction, trauma, or chronic instability—by equipping them with job training, life skills, and a deeply supportive community. Now, we’re expanding that vision by bringing entrepreneurship to our work.

As a longtime economic developer, I’ve seen how traditional workforce development models can fall short for people who face persistent barriers to employment. Whether due to gaps in work history, lack of childcare, or stigma, many of the women we serve are locked out of traditional career paths. But entrepreneurship? That can be a game-changer.

Why Entrepreneurship Matters

Entrepreneurship offers something that a job alone often can’t: agency, flexibility, and ownership. For women who need to build careers on their own terms, starting a small business—whether it’s baking, catering, crafting, childcare, or consulting—can open a door to economic stability and self-determination.

It’s also a proven strategy for poverty alleviation. Studies show that microenterprise programs and business training for people with low income can lead to increased income, improved confidence, and long-term economic mobility. Entrepreneurship can be an on-ramp to financial independence, particularly for women of color and justice-involved individuals who are too often excluded from traditional capital and hiring systems.

Bringing Entrepreneurship to Together We Bake

That’s why I’m thrilled to share that Together We Bake is taking intentional steps to integrate entrepreneurship training into our existing workforce development program.

This spring, we welcomed a new Entrepreneurship Internship, a role designed to help us build the foundation for a more robust entrepreneurial curriculum. Our intern will work closely with staff, alumnae, and partners to:

• Explore best practices in inclusive entrepreneurship training
• Identify alumnae who are actively running or interested in starting businesses 
• Develop pilot workshops focused on pricing, marketing, and business planning
• Connect our program participants with local resources like the Alexandria Small Business Development Center and local CDFIs
• Lay the groundwork for a future Together We Bake Alumnae Microenterprise Fund

Our goal is simple: to empower more women to build the lives—and businesses—they envision.

Looking Ahead

As we expand, grow our production capacity, and deepen our community impact, entrepreneurship will be a central theme. We’re not just training people to get jobs—we’re preparing women to create jobs, lead in their communities, and break cycles of poverty.

Together We Bake is more than a job training program—it’s a launchpad for possibility. And we can’t wait to see what our alumnae build next.

If you're interested in supporting our entrepreneurship efforts or partnering on this exciting new phase, reach out! Let’s work together to create more pathways to economic freedom.