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
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.
Business Loans From GovLoans
The government has launched innumerable programs that are all geared towards the achievement of this goal. Some of these programs involve the provision of technical assistance, training sessions, and strategies that would potentially help business owners in marketing their products and in expanding their businesses.
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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.
While there's no official required SBA loan minimum credit score from the Small Business Administration, lenders will often set minimum credit score requirements for both personal and business. An SBSS of 140 to 160+ or a personal score of 620 to 640+ are commonly needed to qualify.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has several programs to help finance small business loans. Many SBA loan programs combine business coaching and technical assistance, as well as access to financing, on more flexible terms. One example is the 7 (a) Loan Program, SBA's most widely-used loan guarantee program.
What Can Disqualify Someone from Getting an SBA Loan? While there are certain requirements for an SBA loan, there are also some individual and entity statuses that can potentially disqualify an SBA applicant. These can include: If your business is engaged in illegal activities, gambling, or multi-sales distribution.
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.
Many traditional banks, credit unions, and online lenders offer small-business loans to help you start or expand your business. You may receive the funds as a lump sum or a revolving line of credit you can draw on as needed. The key feature is flexibility.
While LLCs can be started at any credit level, there will be some notable disadvantages for business owners who have bad credit. Here are a few examples: Money will be hard to come by.
You'll generally need a fair score of 600 or higher to qualify for a small business loan. However, some lenders may approve a loan if your score is as low as 500. Understanding what influences your credit score can help you improve it.
Yes, startup loans tend to stay lenient in terms of credit requirements. For example, a lender may offer business loans with a minimum 600 personal credit score while accepting businesses with six months' experience. Some lenders do offer startup business loans for a 500 credit score.
The MicroLoan Program provides very small loans to start-up, newly established, or growing small business concerns and certain not-for-profit childcare centers.
Backed by the US Small Business Administration, SBA loans for startups are designed to help business owners grow their companies and cover expenses like equipment. There are several types of SBA loans with maximum amounts ranging from $50,000 to $5 million. SBA loans are backed by the US Small Business Administration.
In general, lenders will only provide loans up to 10% to 30% of your annual revenue to ensure you have the means for repayment. Securing a small business loan can open a lot of doors for your organization.
How much of a business loan you can get depends on your business's annual gross sales, creditworthiness, current debts, the type of financing, and the chosen lender. In general, lenders will only provide loans up to 10% to 30% of your annual revenue to ensure you have the means for repayment.
A Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) is defined as one that is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled on a daily basis by one or more female American citizens.
When you apply for business financing, lenders will likely look at your personal credit score and history to get a better overall understanding of your finances.
Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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