Hindi Marciniak, Founder & CEO, Empowered Ventures LLC
As Chief Empowerment Officer of Empowered Ventures, Hindi brings over 30 years of expertise in marketing, strategic leadership, and entrepreneurship. Her career includes impactful roles at industry-leading companies such as Apple and NEC Computers, where she drove innovative programs, built influential partnerships, and delivered measurable results that shaped industry standards.
During her tenure at Apple, she played a pivotal role in the groundbreaking launch of the iMac, contributing to strategies that strengthened partner relationships, expanded market reach, and elevated brand visibility. Her work on one of the most iconic product launches in tech history exemplifies her ability to lead in dynamic and competitive environments. At NEC Computers, she led marketing initiatives that expanded market reach and bolstered the company’s presence in competitive industries. Beyond the tech sector, Hindi has demonstrated her ability to build dynamic communities and programs, leveraging her skills to connect and empower others.
In 2024, Hindi founded the Reno Women-Owned Business (RWOB) group to address the lack of platforms for women entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate, and gain visibility. Through her leadership, RWOB grew to nearly 4,000 members in just over six months, becoming a vital resource and community for women business owners in Reno. This success also set in motion a major shift in the women-owned business community, fostering greater collaboration, support, and recognition for women entrepreneurs across the region.
Tell us about your background in technology and the ways you drove innovative programs.
I’ve been in the tech world for over 30 years, working in everything from trade shows and events to channel and partner marketing to digital demand gen and strategy. I’ve had the honor of working with some major players, including Apple and NEC, being a part of national campaigns and hands-on programs that really moved the needle. For me, innovation has always meant seeing the bigger picture—how technology can create real change—and then building programs that speak directly to that vision. I didn’t just market products; I built experiences that helped people understand and connect with the tech in ways that felt natural and exciting.
What was the most iconic product launch in which you played a pivotal role in?
That would have to be the launch of Apple’s iMac. It was a turning point in personal computing, and I was lucky enough to tour with the PR team during the unveiling. This wasn’t just a product—it was a revolution. The colors, the design, the simplicity—it made tech feel personal and beautiful. Watching people’s reactions in each city, seeing that lightbulb moment when they realized computers didn’t have to be beige boxes—it was incredible. I’ll never forget that energy. Being part of something so disruptive and visionary shaped how I approached every project that came after.
Share your view on women in management specifically in the technology industry.
Women in tech leadership have always had to navigate a landscape that wasn’t exactly built for us. Throughout my career, I had the privilege of working alongside a few incredible women who completely reshaped how I saw leadership. They showed me that collaboration isn’t a weakness—it’s a powerful form of strength. They led with clarity, confidence, and compassion, and that left a lasting impression on me.
After spending 23 years in Silicon Valley, I moved to Reno and, like many others, started a side hustle. I was looking to connect with other business owners and collaborate, and I found that working with women just felt like a more natural and energizing fit. I went to Facebook in search of a women-owned business group—and when I realized there wasn’t one, I decided to create it myself.
That’s how Reno Women-Owned Business (RWOB) was born. What started as a small local group has grown into a vibrant community of nearly 4,000 members that I manage today. It’s become a space where women connect, share, grow, and lead together—and it’s truly one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever built.
How was the Reno Women-Owned Business (RWOB) a catalyst for Empowered Ventures?
RWOB really opened my eyes to just how many women-owned businesses were out there—but also how disconnected and siloed they often felt. I kept seeing posts in the group asking for everything from plumbers and mechanics to legal services and marketing help. The need was clear: women wanted to support other women, but they didn’t know where to find them. That energy—that hunger for visibility, connection, and community—is what sparked Empowered Ventures.
What began as a local Facebook group quickly evolved into a national mission: to build a platform where women-owned businesses could be easily discovered, certified, supported, and celebrated. RWOB gave me the proof of concept and the purpose. Empowered Ventures gave it the structure and scale to grow into something much bigger.
Empowered Ventures is dedicated to fostering a thriving ecosystem where women-owned businesses gain visibility, credibility, and access to essential resources. The directory serves as a business discovery tool and provides mentorship, networking opportunities, and business resources to help women entrepreneurs grow and succeed.
Take us through the first Women-Owned Business Directory.
The directory is something I’m so proud of because it’s not just a database—it’s a living, growing ecosystem. Every business listed is verified as woman-owned, which builds trust for consumers who want to shop with intention. You can search by city or zip code, making it incredibly user-friendly. Unlike other directories, we’re focused on real connection and impact—not just listings. It’s about creating a community where women-owned businesses are front and center.
With more than 14 million women-owned businesses nationwide, this directory is a vital resource for consumers, corporations, and communities committed to supporting women entrepreneurs.
What is your philosophy behind the Women-Owned Business Directory?
I truly believe that visibility equals opportunity. If we want people to support women-owned businesses, they need to be easy to find. My philosophy is about shifting the narrative—taking women from the margins and putting them in the spotlight. This directory is designed to do just that. It’s more than a list; it’s a resource, a celebration, and a call to action. If we can make it easier to find women-owned businesses, we can help them grow, thrive, and build generational impact.
How does it feel to be a visionary in bringing women-owned businesses together for the first time to support each other in one place?
Honestly, it feels surreal. I never set out to be a visionary—I just saw a gap and knew something needed to be done. But watching it all come together has been an incredible journey and realizing the impact of what we’re building, that’s a kind of magic you can’t manufacture. This isn’t about me—it’s about us – every one of us. And knowing that I helped create a space where women can be seen, heard, and supported in one place? That’s the legacy I want to leave.
Share your vision for 2025.
In 2025, I see Empowered Ventures standing as the premier national platform for discovering, supporting, and amplifying women-owned businesses. We’re already in the process of developing the app, and we’re moving quickly—because the need is urgent, and the momentum is real. My goal for 2025 is to scale the directory to include hundreds of thousands of verified listings, begin movement on launching local networking chapters in key cities, and host powerful trade shows and leadership retreats that spark meaningful growth and connection.
But this isn’t about competition—it’s about collaboration. We’re here to network with all the networks, not compete with them. Because at the end of the day, we all share the same mission: to elevate and empower women in business.
Beyond 2025, I envision partnerships with corporations, national campaigns that drive awareness, and innovative programs that redefine what it means to be a woman-led brand in today’s world. My ultimate vision is bold, but clear: to build a future where women-owned businesses don’t just participate in the economy—they lead it, shape it, and change it for the better.
Empowered Ventures welcomes all women-focused programs, workshops, and training opportunities to showcase their offerings on our platform. Unlike other organizations, we do not compete, we provide a single, centralized platform where women entrepreneurs can access a wide range of valuable resources, making it easier for them to find the support they need in one place.
