If you're starting a business for the first time, you’re facing a challenge because you don't have an established track record on which to rely. You do not have a history of operations, profitable or otherwise, and searching for help can be exhausting. However, there are several resources and organizations dedicated to helping women-owned businesses get started and grow successfully.
Here are a few resources designed specifically for women-owned businesses:
• eWomen Network
This resource connects and promotes women and their businesses on both a local and global scale. Women can create a profile page that includes their contact information, their business story, and display images of their business.
http://www.ewomennetwork.com/index.html
• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
WBENC works with women's business organizations located throughout the country to provide a national standard of certification for women-owned businesses. It provides access to a range of B2B sourcing tools including, an Internet database. WBENC also is a resource for US companies and government agencies that rely on the WBENC certification as a part of their supplier diversity programs.
http://www.wbenc.org/(X(1)S(uymgqv554wsuac3dnhdhx045))/Default.aspx
• Small Business Loans for Women
This website provides information about what loans, banks, financial planning and estate planning resources are available to women entrepreneurs who are opening their own business.
http://digital-women.com/women-loans/business-loans.html
• WomenBiz.Gov
This website provides information and links specifically focused on the woman business owner interested in doing business with the federal government.
http://www.womenbiz.gov
• Women Owned Businesses
Provides information on government programs that help women entrepreneurs start, grow and expand their businesses.
http://www.business.gov/start/woman-owned/
• Office of Women’s Business Ownership through the SBA
This organization establishes and oversees a network of Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) in the United States. Entrepreneurs, especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged, are offered comprehensive training and counseling on a variety of topics in many languages to help them start and grow their own businesses. http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/onlinewbc/index.html
• WomanOwned.com
WomanOwned is a business network just for women. It provides information, tools, networking opportunities and advice to women starting a business or expanding their business.
http://www.womanowned.com