One of the cornerstones of a healthy community is a vibrant and diverse small business sector. The federal and state governments offer a variety of programs and support for women owned small businesses.
Use these resources to help to start of expand your business
Learn More about SBA Women's Business Centerssee here
Women's Business Centers (WBCs) stand for a nationwide network of nearly 100 instructional centers throughout the United States and its territories, which are created to help women in beginning and growing small companies. WBCs seek to "level the playing field" for women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in business world.
SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) oversees the WBC network, which provides entrepreneurs (specifically women who are economically or socially disadvantaged) comprehensive training and counseling on a range of topics in numerous languages.
Find a WBC Near You
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Many of the SBA programs offering Small Business Grants, Loan Programs and Counseling Programs for women are offered through universities and centers.
The Historically Underutilized Business Zones Empowerment Contracting Program provides federal contracting assistance to eligible small businesses located in underutilized business zones to improve their employment opportunities, investments, and their area's economic development.
SBA Low-Interest Disaster Loans
Disaster loans can be utilized for the repair and rebuilding of non-farm, private sector disaster losses, and are available to all types of business, instead of being restricted to small businesses alone.
HUBZone Certification Program Webinar
This video explains the basics of the HUBZone certification program for small business federal contractors.
HUBZone certification allows certain small businesses to compete for set-aside contracts aimed at spurring investment in low median income or high unemployment areas.
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program Webinar
This video explains how the SBA's 8(a) Program works, its eligibility requirements, technical assistance available to small disadvantaged businesses through the program and common myths about the program.
Local Assistance from the Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration has many local offices and resource partners that counsel, mentor and train small business owners and entrepreneurs.
These nearby offices and online assistance can help your business start up, succeed and grow. This short video provides a good introduction to services near you.
Small Business Administration Resources for Veterans
The Small Business Administration offers various resources for veterans interested in starting, financing or growing their businesses.
We've read stats showing that Blacks have a buying power of $1.2 Trillion dollars and that Black women are starting businesses at a faster rate than any other group, but is this enough to change the economic inequalities that plague Black neighborhoods?
SCORE Services to Small Business - An Introduction
In an excerpt from a 2010 interview the SCORE CEO discusses its counseling and workshops offerings to small businesses.
The Creative Role That One CDFI Plays in Impact Investing
Antony Bugg-Levine, CEO of the Community Development Financial Institution Nonprofit Finance Fund, manages $80 million of impact investments. He is also the author of Impact Investing: Transforming How We Make Money While Making a Difference.
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Featured Government Grant Resources
Federal and State Technology Partnership Program
The Federal and State Technology Partnership Program works around the objective of being able to boost and strengthen the technological competitiveness of small business establishments in the United States of America.
Department of Agriculture: Value Added Producer Grants
The Value-Added Producer Grants program is geared towards helping the Independent Producers of Agricultural Commodities, Agriculture Producer Groups, Farmer and Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business Ventures in developing techniques that would create marketing opportunities and establish business plans involving viable marketing opportunities that involve the production of bio-based products from agricultural commodities.
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Although women own 38% of all businesses in the U.S., according to the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, they often face obstacles when obtaining financing. In 2022, 25% of women-owned businesses were rejected for a loan, compared to 19% of male-owned businesses.
Yes!!We've been offering business resources and grants to women in all 50 states (and Canada) since 1998. We have three different $10,000 Amber Grant winners EVERY month... Plus at the end of the year, each Amber Grant winner for that year is eligible for an additional $25,000 grant!
Although applying for an SBA loan is relatively easy, it's not so easy getting approved. If you aren't careful with your application, you can get rejected and lose out on millions in low-cost, government-backed financing, so you may wonder how to get SBA loan approved.
Reasons you may be disqualified from a small business loan include a low credit score, poor cash flow, no collateral, significant debt, a bad business plan or having a business in a risky industry.
There are multiple SBA loans available with costs ranging from $50,000 to millions of dollars. SBA loans are available to both men and women entrepreneurs. But women tend to seek funding at lower rates than their male counterparts due to the fear of getting rejected for the funds.
Poor credit, insufficient cash flow, lack of a business plan and other issues can prevent you from securing a small business loan. It can be disappointing when you get denied a business loan, but a denial doesn't mean it's the end of the road.
It's important to note that if you're using only an EIN, it may take some time to establish a solid business credit history. Moreover, individuals who don't have a Social Security Number (SSN) can still get business loans using just an EIN through specific financial institutions.
You're not alone if you applied for an SBA loan and were denied. Most small businesses struggle to qualify, with over 50% of applicants being rejected. You can take concrete steps to improve your application, whether applying for the first time, trying to appeal a denial, or reapplying for a loan.
Yes!Our monthly $10,000 Start-Up Grant was designed for women just like you. We give this grant to pre-revenue businesses as well as businesses that have earned less than $10,000 in revenue.
Sponsored by Hidden Star, a nonprofit that offers startup assistance to low-income entrepreneurs, Galaxy Grants provide $2,750 awards to women- and minority-owned businesses. You'll receive a matching award if you refer a friend and they win a grant.
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) administers the Cal Grant program, a California-specific financial aid award that helps pay for college tuition and fees. Cal Grants do not need to be paid back.
SBA Express loans, part of the SBA's 7(a) loan program, offer the easiest application process and the fastest approval times among all SBA loans. These loans, with payoff periods as long as 25 years, are designed for purposes such as refinancing debt, buying equipment, or improving real estate.
Yes. Some lenders welcome business owners with credit scores as low as 500. These loans focus less on your credit score and more on the strength of your business and your ability to repay the loan. Most business loans for bad credit will have high interest rates and fees.
Women-owned small businesses can also take advantage of SBA loan programs. Our partners offer advice and counseling to help choose the right path for your company.
SBA-qualified lenders usually set their own criteria when assessing your eligibility. Most lenders will require a minimum FICO score of 620 or higher for their SBA Loans.
Women's Business Ownership Act changed history for women entrepreneurs. The Women's Business Ownership Act (WBOA) of 1988 prohibited state laws that required women to secure a male relative as their co-signer on business loans.
Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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