Essential Tools for Empowering Female Entrepreneurs: Our Top 5 Picks

It’s clear that women-owned businesses play a crucial role in the U.S. economy. Just five years ago, there were 7.8 million women-owned businesses generating a remarkable $1.2 trillion in sales. These businesses also provided jobs for 7.6 million people at a time when employment was scarce.

Given their significant impact, it’s essential for everyone to support the success of women-owned businesses. Here’s a list of resources that can help women business owners, including options from government, private sectors, and non-profit organizations.

NAWBO, founded in 1975, is a professional group representing over 10 million women-owned businesses. It’s a membership-based association that advocates for women’s interests across various industries and has more than 7,000 members, with 70 chapters throughout the U.S.

WLE is a social organization for women entrepreneurs, created by businesswomen to bridge the information gap and build success through connections. It offers conferences, business coaching, interactive programs, teleconferences, and leadership development opportunities.

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), established in 1997, certifies businesses that are owned, controlled, and operated by women. It also advocates for these businesses to become suppliers for major corporations by connecting them with companies that have Supplier Diversity programs.

WomanOwned.com, also started in 1997 by Christina Blenk, serves over 3.5 million women entrepreneurs globally. This site provides online business information and networking resources to help women launch, manage, and grow their businesses, along with a comprehensive database of women business owners from various industries worldwide.

The Office of Women’s Business Ownership, part of the Small Business Administration, was founded in 1979. It oversees Women’s Business Centers across the U.S. that help economically or socially disadvantaged women entrepreneurs with training and counseling. They also offer resources like the Gateway for Women-Owned Businesses Selling to the Government and a thorough business directory.

For any business owner, maintaining connections with customers, the community, and supportive organizations is crucial for success from startup to expansion. These resources can be a great starting point in achieving your business dreams.