March is here! And that means it’s time for Women’s History Month, the annual awareness event to honor the contributions women have made to American history. Since we love to support women and businesses, we thought what better way to celebrate than to honor the contributions of women-owned businesses?

And boy have they contributed.

According to the Small Businesses Administration, there are 1.1 million women-owned businesses in the United States that employ some 10.1 million people. What’s more, 50% of these women-owned businesses are minority-owned.

At Avidia, we’re so proud to help support women business owners like Milka Njoroge, PharmD. Milka is the CEO & Administrator of Century Homecare, LLC, a Worcester-based company that provides quality in-home health care to help people enjoy safe, fulfilling lives.

Milka, who holds a doctorate degree in pharmacy, founded Century Homecare in 2012 and became full-time CEO in 2015. Under her leadership, the company has continued to focus on its core values of providing quality patient care, promoting a conducive work environment, and giving back to the community.  As part of Century’s 10-Year celebrations last August, the company sponsored a charity golf tournament and raised $20,000 for African Community Education (ACE), a non-profit organization based in Worcester. “I am so grateful that Avidia was one of our major sponsors for this event,” said Milka. What’s more, her contributions to the Central Massachusetts business community earned her recognition in Worcester Business Journal’s 40 under Forty in 2017. She was also a member of The Power 50 Class of 2019, a list compiled by WBJ of the 50 most influential people in the Central Massachusetts economy.

Building a business – and a village of support

When it comes to running a business, Milka believes that women need a strong support system. “They say it takes a village to raise a child, but to run a business, you need more than a village. Women need a strong support system of people who can connect them to resources needed to succeed in business, including mentors,” she shares.

“My mom started several businesses to help pay for our education. I was therefore exposed to entrepreneurship and its challenges at a very young age,” she recalls.

Milka’s mother also taught her the value of education, which has been so integral to her success and her company’s work with patients.

“Education opens doors and that is true everywhere including here in Worcester.

It’s also why she continually supports the growth of Century’s employees. “We hire entry-level into healthcare, includinghome health aides and CNAs as well as therapists with doctorate degrees. Our goal is to support educational advancement for our staff. We have supported training of HHAs to become Licensed Practical Nurses and most have advanced to become Registered Nurses.”

She also believes that education is so critical in helping her patients, who are primarily from underserved areas. “Most of the patients we see mainly have low-income and are  minorities or immigrants. Often there are language barriers, so navigating the healthcare system is very difficult for them. We understand how important it is to help educate them as their level of knowledge has a great impact on their overall health,” she shares.

A powerful business connection

As a minority and women-owned business, Milka has faced many challenges in running her business, which she believes are common for women- and minority-owned businesses, in particular.

“It can be difficult to get a loan or a contract, even after being in business for so many years.”

She knew when she met Avidia’s Stephanie Luz at a women’s networking luncheon that something was different. “Stephanie was really interested in my business.”

Milka moved her banking to Avidia and hasn’t looked back.

“I think it’s so important to have women in leadership positions at every organization. In banking, the benefits of women leaders have a broader impact beyond the bank and into the businesses and communities served. Stephanie constantly connects Century to resources we need – whether helping us get a PPP loan during the COVID-19 pandemic or informing us about upcoming grants. She’s always looking for ways to add value to our organization. I am grateful.”

For more information on Century Homecare, visit www.centuryhomecare.com, or call 888-292-1809.