Billie Dragoo on Entrepreneurship and Empowering Women

“Our dreams are often at odds with our realities, demanding freedoms and resources we may not have. But this doesn't make them impossible to achieve.” – Jayson Demers

Leading with Vision and Resilience

Billie Dragoo, founder and CEO of RepuCare and co-founder of the Indiana Conference for Women, chose not only to envision what seemed impossible but to methodically build it—especially when obstacles appeared insurmountable. Across her career, Billie has taken on structural inequities facing women in entrepreneurship, led strategic pivots in business, and “moved the needle” by creating platforms that foster collaboration, mentorship, and leadership development for women in business.

Entrepreneurship as a Calling in Healthcare

“I didn't choose entrepreneurship, it chose me,” Billie reflects. With a deep commitment to healthcare, she recognized an opportunity to improve access to high-quality care by building better workforce solutions. She views entrepreneurs as the people who can change the world and has persevered in developing services that contribute to healthier communities and more resilient organizations. She is a disciplined risk-taker who understands that meaningful transformation rarely comes from a single bold move, but from a series of intentional decisions, because entrepreneurship is not just one thing; it is a million aligned actions over time.

Advocating for Women Entrepreneurs in Indianapolis

Billie continues to hold an ambitious vision for the city of Indianapolis: a significant increase in women-owned businesses, expanded women’s leadership programs, and broader media visibility for the remarkable women who are already making an impact in their communities. “There are so many untold stories of women who have dreams of entrepreneurship and may feel it's just not in their grasp.” Her advocacy is focused, ongoing, and deliberate, centering on three key areas: expanding access to capital for women founders, increasing the number of women on corporate boards, and creating clearer, more equitable pathways to venture capital for women-owned businesses.

Building Ecosystems That Support Women’s Growth

As co-founder of the Indiana Conference for Women, Billie and her team are guided by a core belief: when you invest in environments that support the growth and development of women, you build healthier, more resilient communities and drive stronger, more inclusive economic growth. She encourages aspiring, emerging, and established business owners to engage with organizations such as the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), the Indiana Conference for Women, the Indianapolis Chamber Women in Business Conference, Integrating Woman Leaders (IWL), and the Start-Up Ladies, viewing these communities as essential ecosystems for education, connection, and long-term success.

The Multiplier Effect of Supporting One Woman

Billie believes, “If you help one woman, you help a thousand,” a philosophy that is evident in her sustained support of these organizations and in her unwavering commitment to growing, developing, and nurturing women entrepreneurs whose work, in turn, strengthens the broader workforce and the communities they serve.

Join the Movement for Equitable Workforce Solutions

If Billie’s story resonates with your commitment to advancing women’s leadership and building a stronger, more diverse healthcare workforce, we invite you to take the next step. Connect with organizations like the Indiana Conference for Women and NAWBO, and explore how partnering with RepuCare can help you expand opportunities for women, meet diversity and workforce goals, and deliver better outcomes for the communities you serve.