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Resources For Women Business Owners Expand
Women-owned businesses are driving the
American economy by producing more and more jobs
for American workers. The U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA) reports that women-owned
businesses continue to grow at twice the rate of
all U.S. businesses.
There are 9.1 million women-owned businesses.
They account for 38 percent of all businesses,
employ 217.5 million workers and generate $3.6
billion in revenues. A report from the Center
for Women’s Business Research shows that one in
18 U.S. women is a business owner.
“No business group in America is moving faster
or more efficiently than women-owned businesses;
they are doing a fantastic job contributing to
our economy and creating jobs,” says Hector V.
Barreto, administrator of the SBA.
As women-owned businesses expand, the resources
available to help them succeed are increasing,
too. Government agencies, organizations and
associations are all deploying Web sites and
programs to address the needs of women business
owners.
That’s good news for women entrepreneurs who are
searching for access to capital, health care
coverage, contracting opportunities and other
business services.
But navigating the maze of resources can be
confusing, especially for fast-moving,
entrepreneurial businesses that need answers
now, not later. As a starting point, check out
the resources listed below.
What You Can Do
If you’re a woman business owner, turn to these
online resources:
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The SBA and the U.S. Department of Labor
launched a new Web site,
www.women-21.gov, to help women business
owners find more of the federal resources they
need. Highlights of the Web site feature
up-to-date information on key issues for women
entrepreneurs, including:
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The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC),
www.nwbc.gov, is a bi-partisan policy
advisory body that serves as an independent
source of advice and recommendations to the
president, Congress, the SBA and others on
economic issues of importance to women business
owners. The Council’s mission is to promote
initiatives, policies and programs designed to
support women’s business enterprises at all
stages of development.
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Through the Women’s Business Enterprise National
Council, you can get certified as a Women’s
Business Enterprise. Go to
www.wbenc.org and click on “Certification”
in the left column.
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The SBA Online Women’s Business Center,
www.onlinewbc.gov, offers resources for
networking as well as information about business
basics such as financing and marketing.
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The National Association for the Self-Employed
(NASE) has launched a Women’s Advisory Council
and a Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative to
specifically address issues of importance to
women who own micro-businesses (10 or fewer
employees). Find out more at the association’s
Web site,
www.nase.org.
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