Programs for Women Business Owners | How-to Guides for running... http://www.work.com/Programs-for-Women-Business-Owners-344/ Browse All Guides Suggest a Guide Write a Guide Search My Work.com Log Out Home > Government > Government Programs > Programs for Women Business Owners Guide to Programs for Women Business Owners In business, it can pay to be a woman owner By Frances Sharpe If you think you're at a disadvantage as a female entrepreneur, think again. Dozens of organizations and programs have emerged in recent years to help women start and grow their own businesses. Taking advantage of the programs available can help you: 1. 2. 3. 4. Obtain seed money to get your venture off the ground Network with other women business owners Win bids for government contracts Find additional resources to assist you in starting or growing a venture Uncommonly Useful 9.0 out of 10 Rate This Guide Add Your Comments Related Guides Guide to Becoming a Certified Small Business Contractor Action Steps The best contacts and resources to help you get it done Locate a program Whether you're seeking a loan to expand your business, looking for discounts on business services, or hoping to find a mentor who can help you launch a new venture, there's a program for you. I recommend: Check Entrepreneur Magazine's list of private programs and government-sponsored programs for women. Show me the money If you're in need of cold, hard cash, you're in luck. Several programs provide women with seed money, micro loans, and even loans of up to $250,000. I recommend: Download an application for a loan of $500 to $10,000 from Count Me In or find out how to apply for up to $45,000 in financing at Make Mine a $Million Business. Learn how the SBA's Pre-qualification Loan Program allows women and minorities to pre-qualify for a 7(a) loan up to a maximum of $250,000 before going to a bank. Guide to Becoming a Minority Supplier to Big Business Guide to Federal Small Business Politics Guide to Finding and Working with a Business Mentor Guide to Minority Business Programs Guide to Minority-Owned Make the mentoring and networking connection Finding a mentor can increase your confidence and give you the knowledge you need to start a business. Networking can be equally invaluable as a way to promote and build your business. I recommend: Find a mentor at the National Women's Business Center or at SCORE. Ladies who Launch is a women business owner's networking organization specializing in small business incubators and workshops for its 25,000 members. Can't make it to a networking meeting in your area? Make connections with other entrepreneurial women online at Womenowned.com. Do business with Uncle Sam As a woman business owner, you actually have a leg up on the competition when bidding on lucrative federal contracts. However, before you can bid, you need to get certified as a woman-owned business. I recommend: Discover the ins and outs of doing business with the federal government at Womenbiz.gov and download an application to get certified as a women business enterprise at the National Women Business Owner Corporation. Get access to more business resources Starting and running a business doesn't require a Ph.D., but the more you know about business ownership, the better your chances of succeeding. Take advantage of the many programs available that offer resources to improve your know-how. I recommend: Check out programs that really make the grade with a variety of educational and other resources, such as the SBA Women's Business Centers and NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners). Tips & Tactics Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide Business Classification Guide to SBA Assistance Programs Guide to Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) Guide to Using SCORE Counseling Services Browse All Related Topics Business Advisors Federal Resources Government Contracting Don't feel like you're taking a "hand-out" by applying for a loan or using resources geared for women. If you don't take advantage of them, another woman business owner will. Before you join every women's organization you come across, take a little time to determine which ones will best help you achieve your goals. Government Financing Government Programs Involvement and Advocacy Recommended Solution Providers Back to top Woman Owned Business Browse All 1 of 3 11/1/06 5:09 PM Programs for Women Business Owners | How-to Guides for running... http://www.work.com/Programs-for-Women-Business-Owners-344/ Women-21: One-stop Shop for Women Entrepreneurs The Small Business Association and the Department of Labor have joined forces to help women grow their business. OnlineWBC: SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership The SBA offers resources to help women level the playing field in business. Services included include mentoring and counseling. NAWBO: National Association of Women Business Owners - the NAWBO helps women grow their businesses and acts as a public policy advocate for women business owners. NAWBO membership offers entrepreneurial training, conferences, a speakers bureau and advocacy opportunities. The resource section has a wealth of links that will be useful to any female business owner. USWCC: United States Women's Chamber of Commerce USWCC provides counselling, educational opportunities as well as lobbies for policies to improves women's access to money, leadership opportunities and influence. SCORE: Women Enterprenuers SCORE offers free counselling tailored to women-owned small businesses. Their website also has an excellent resource page. Featured Vendors INTERIORS by Decorating Den: Women-Owned Businesses First affordable, international, shop-at-home interior decorating service offers franchisees training as an interior decorator and business owner. www.decoratingden.com Build a World-Class Business Training Program For Less BWNI: Business Women's Network Build a low cost world-class training program of your own. Business Training Library offers thousands of business courses. Free 30 day trial. www.hrshopper.com ABWA: American Business Woman's Association Business Cash Advance: Women Business Loan BWNI offers resources and networking opportunities for women in the workplace from small business owners to executives. ABWA offers professional development and leadership training to women in all sizes of businesses. Best Sites to Learn More Back to top Get up to a $150,000 business cash advance. Must currently accept credits to qualify. Automatically repay using future credit card sales. www.business-cash-advance.com Education & Training for Women: Trump University WomanOwned.com Funding for Your Business Articles on obtaining start up capital for a new business, as well as sources of growth funding. CFWBR: Center for Women's Business Research The CFWBR provides information about women owned businesses at the national, state and local levels. The information is useful to policy makers and women business owners to bolster their rfp proposals. UMass Lowell: Center for Women and Work The Center for Women and Work at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell offers a set of research tools in their virtual library. Topics cover everything from women business owners, including international women's issues. NWBC: National Women's Business Council The NWBC serves as an advisory council to the president on issues that are important to women business owners. In doing so, it conducts research and publicizes its findings. The NWBC also offers mentoring services. Donald Trump thinks big and so should you. Learn the secrets to being a hugely successful Entreprenuer. www.trumpuniversity.com/entrepreneurship Lycos: Business Cards Find business cards and more at Lycos Search. No clutter, just answers. Lycos - Go Get It! www.lycos.com Catalyst: research on women in business Catalyst provides research on women in all facets of business Best Blogs and Forums Back to top QuickBooks Community: Women's Forum A forum dedicated to connecting Women Entrepreneurs and Small Business owners. Hosted by the makers of QuickBooks business software. iVillage: Work Discussion Forums iVillage has several message boards dedicated to women and business. Yahoo! Groups: Women In Small Biz Women In Small Biz is a networking discussion forum that supports and promotes women-owned businesses. Membership required. Aurora Women's Network Group: Discussion Forum This members only forum is for women business owners seeking a supportive environment, advice and networking opportunities. Kristie T’s Home Biz-A-Pa-Looza: Home Based Business Blog Fun, mom-geared work-at-home tips and advice on making money on the net. re:invention blog A toolbox for and about enterprising women. AllBusiness: Minding Her Business Advice and commentary for entrepreneurial women from an entrenpreneurial woman. AllBusiness.com: Women in Business Blogs AllBusiness.com offers three blogs dedicated to women in business. Workerette: Women and Work blog Popular topics on this blog include small business and women entrepreneurs. 2 of 3 11/1/06 5:09 PM Programs for Women Business Owners | How-to Guides for running... http://www.work.com/Programs-for-Women-Business-Owners-344/ Yahoo! Groups: Moms Working at Home This is a members only active discussion board dedicated to telecommuting and business opportunities for women Blogher: Women in Business Blog Blogs written by women for women. The business and finance section has entries related to women business owners. Comments Back to top Add Your Comments Great guide, Frances! Regarding certification, one of the largest and most respected organizations that certifies women owned businesses is the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (www.wbenc.org). I believe their certification is recognized by over 700 major companies. Also, in terms of networking/peer groups, one of my favorites has always been the Women Presidents' Organization (www.womenpresidentsorg.com). President Marsha Firestone sends out a great newsletter every month, and hosts a very high-powered conference every year. Posted by: Donna Fenn 10/08/2006 03:39 PM Add Your Comments Is any content on this page inappropriate? To let us know, please click here. © 2006 Work.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Work.com is a property of Business.com. Help | About Us | Site Map | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Community Policy | Community Blog | Advertise on Work.com | Contact Us / Feedback 3 of 3 11/1/06 5:09 PM