Entrepreneur and global business personality Paris Hilton has introduced a new initiative aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs whose businesses have been disrupted by natural disasters. The program, called the Back in Business Recovery Fund, focuses on providing financial assistance to women-owned small businesses struggling to reopen after events such as wildfires, hurricanes, and floods.
Hilton has committed $350,000 of her own funding to launch the initiative and plans to raise at least $1 million to expand the program in the coming months. The goal is to offer direct grants that help women entrepreneurs restart their businesses after disasters force them to shut down operations.
The fund is being managed through Hilton’s social impact organization 11:11 Media Impact in partnership with GoFundMe.org. Through this collaboration, eligible businesses can receive grants of up to $25,000, allowing owners to repair damaged spaces, replace equipment, rebuild inventory, and bring their teams back to work.
Why Disaster Recovery Is a Major Challenge for Small Businesses
Natural disasters often create long-term economic damage for small businesses. When a business location is destroyed or severely damaged, entrepreneurs must deal with repair costs, lost revenue, and disrupted supply chains at the same time. For many small companies, especially independent businesses, recovery becomes extremely difficult without immediate financial support.
Women entrepreneurs frequently face an additional challenge. Access to capital, investment, and emergency funding is often more limited for women-owned businesses. As a result, when disasters occur, these businesses can struggle to secure the resources needed to reopen.
The Back in Business Recovery Fund has been designed to address this gap by providing direct financial support that allows entrepreneurs to focus on rebuilding their businesses instead of searching for funding during a crisis.
The Initiative Builds on Earlier Disaster Relief Efforts
The national recovery fund builds on a program launched after the 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles, which destroyed homes and businesses across several communities. Following the disaster, Hilton partnered with local organizations to help women entrepreneurs whose businesses had been severely affected.
During that earlier effort, more than $1 million in grants were distributed to 50 women-owned small businesses. The businesses included childcare centers, bakeries, retail stores, beauty salons, and creative studios. Each business received funding that helped cover rebuilding costs and allowed owners to reopen their doors.
The results showed how direct financial assistance can accelerate recovery. Many of the businesses supported through the program were able to resume operations and continue serving their communities.
Real Businesses, Real Recovery
Among the entrepreneurs supported during the earlier relief effort was Renata Ortega, the founder of a floral design studio in Altadena. Her business was destroyed during the wildfire along with the equipment and inventory she relied on for her work.
With help from a recovery grant, Ortega was able to secure a new studio location and purchase essential tools needed to continue her business. Within months, she was able to reopen and begin serving customers again.
Stories like Ortega’s demonstrate how targeted support can help entrepreneurs rebuild after unexpected setbacks. For many small business owners, access to timely funding can determine whether a company survives or closes permanently.
Expanding Support Through Business Networks
To expand the reach of the Back in Business Recovery Fund, the initiative will work with a network of women’s business centers across the United States. These centers help identify entrepreneurs affected by disasters and connect them with financial assistance, mentorship, and practical resources during the rebuilding process.
The initiative also includes a storytelling project that highlights the experiences of women entrepreneurs rebuilding their businesses after disasters. By sharing these stories, the program aims to bring attention to the challenges small businesses face and encourage more support for entrepreneurs recovering from crises.
Why This Initiative Matters for Women Entrepreneurs
Small businesses play an important role in local economies. They create jobs, support families, and provide services that keep communities functioning. When disasters disrupt these businesses, the economic impact extends far beyond a single company.
Programs like the Back in Business Recovery Fund focus on helping entrepreneurs recover quickly so that businesses can reopen and communities can regain economic stability.
For many women entrepreneurs, initiatives like this offer not only financial support but also a reminder that rebuilding after setbacks is possible with the right resources and support networks in place.