The Growing Support for Female Entrepreneurs: Why Women Should Own A Business

Let’s face it: the world needs more female entrepreneurs.

Women who own businesses aren’t just symbols of strength and independence. They are evidence of greater gender equality in the professional world.

What’s more, they prove every woman’s ability to shatter the glass ceiling.

If you’re a lady entrepreneur, don’t stop now! But you may be wondering how you’ll be able to get the support you need to succeed in your industry.

Many women struggle to get the social and financial resources they need to start a business. However, as a woman, you are in an empowered position to find business support from multiple sides.

In this post, we’ll discuss the options you have when it comes to starting your business!
 

1. Companies Devoted to the Lady Entrepreneur

When it comes to support for businesswomen, it’s important to seek out companies with the mission of helping female entrepreneurs.

These include both non-profits and other companies that have pledged support to the lady entrepreneur financially.

There are hundreds of companies out there with this mission. Here are some of our favorites.
 

SheEO

SheEO, a non-profit Canadian organization founded by Vicki Saunders, is all about female entrepreneurs.

In fact, Saunders established SheEO to give women the financial support they need to start their own business. SheEO gives interest free loans to companies that are founded by women so that they can get off the ground.

Learn more about getting financial support from SheEO here.
 

U.S. Small Business Administration

The SBA is another company devoted to helping female entrepreneurs launch the businesses of their dreams.

They offer extensive resources for lady entrepreneurs and even funding for small women-owned businesses. We like the SBA because they are committed to helping you grow your business at any stage of the game.

Check out their website here.
 

National Association for Female Executives

Like the SBA and SheEO, NAFE consists of the world’s leading female executives who are united in the same mission: to help other women advance in the world of business.

They even offer an annual Woman of Excellence award to top entrepreneurs in the industry. Additionally, they hold yearly roundtables that bring together some of the most powerful women in the world.

NAFE is an excellent resource for the lady entrepreneur because they can also link you to local networks and help you launch your personal career.

Get some NAFE advice for launching your business now!
 

National Association of Women Business Owners

NAWBO may be a mouthful to pronounce, but it’s a fantastic resource for women business owners everywhere.

NAWBO originated in 1975 to become the “unified voice” of women-owned businesses in the U.S.

You can become a member of an NAWBO chapter near you for awesome networking opportunities and a needed boost in the industry. Or learn more about the NAWBO Institute, an online learning platform for female entrepreneurs.

What’s more, their website has extensive resources when it comes to personal development. Visitors will love their video library and even member directory.

While NAWBO doesn’t offer funding for female entrepreneurs, membership can give women the connections they need to help their businesses soar.
 

2. Local Support Groups

Whether you live in a small town or a city, chances are there is a support group near you for female entrepreneurs.

Check out sites like MeetUp, for example, to identify bussinesswoman gatherings in your area.

There may even be Facebook groups or events that bring entrepreneurs in your community together. In fact, social media can be a powerful resource for discovering local support groups.

Call up your public library to see if it will be sponsoring any gatherings for female entrepreneurs.

These groups can be a fantastic resource for you as you navigate the world of business as a woman.

What’s more, you’ll be able to network within these groups. Networking is invaluable for any entrepreneur, regardless of gender.

You may snag some valuable contacts during one of your women in business meet-up. These contacts could be responsible for giving you a leg up in the industry.

Lastly, don’t neglect the power of your own friends and family members. Your personal network can also aid in getting you the contacts and emotional support you need as a lady entrepreneur.
 

3. Online Resources

Besides organizations, social media, and support groups, the internet is your helper in the world of business.

There are thousands of sites out there devoted to giving you the information you need to succeed as a female business owner. Check out online forums for information on startups.

Browse blog sites that have reputable articles published by female entrepreneurs. Join online webinars about launching your business.

You may like Ladies Who Launch, a site devoted to giving women free resources for starting their business.

Don’t forget about LinkedIn, either. This is a powerful platform that delivers both information and networking to new entrepreneurs.

When you have the information you need, make sure you use Opstart to launch your business itself. We’re your resource when it comes to first registering your business.
 

4. Leadership Programs

Lastly, consider applying to programs designed to help female entrepreneurs develop the skills they need for success.

Check out leadership programs, conferences, and courses near you for women in business. Some university campuses may offer programs to both students and community members in this vein.

Organizations devoted to the lady entrepreneur may also offer fellowships or internships to candidates for professional opportunities.

If you have the resources, you may want to sign up for local courses in executive leadership offered through your community college or nearby university.
 

Business Support for the Lady Entrepreneur

As a lady entrepreneur, you have options for getting the financial and practical support you need to succeed in the business world.

Explore companies designed with your success in mind, like Ladies Who Launch or SheEO. Investigate local support groups and mine your personal network for contacts.

Don’t neglect the power of social media as a resource. Use the internet as a tool for knowledge.

At Opstart, we couldn’t be more excited to help you launch your business!