Owning your own business is stressful enough without having to scramble for resources when you need help. To help support and empower women entrepreneurs, we put together these essential resources dedicated to supporting women business owners and the unique challenges they often face.
Ladies Who Launch
Ladies Who Launch is focused on three core pillars: Inspiration, Education, and Community. Their not-for-profit mission is clear and simple — to support, celebrate, and educate women entrepreneurs throughout the world. Through experiential events and digital platforms, the organization wants to give women an advantage in launching and growing successful companies by connecting them with other women entrepreneurs and the capital community.
At each Ladies Who Launch event, there are unique opportunities for inspiration when needed most. Showcasing entrepreneurs who have blazed a trail before them, the events host thoughtful educational panels on key business topics such as: how to get financing and form action plans, how to manage your emerging brand, and how to forge your path in an always changing global business environment.
National Association of Women Business Owners
NAWBO’s trademark saying is, “Get a seat at the table or build your own table, and make sure to include other women.” Founded in 1975, NAWBO is the unified voice of over 10 million women-owned businesses in the United States. These women represent the fastest growing segment of the economy and seek to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members by promoting economic development in the entrepreneurial
community.
NAWBO is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries. With chapters across the country fostering clout and impact, NAWBO is an innovative, one-stop resource. By building strategic coalitions and affiliations while also transforming public policy, NAWBO effects change in the business culture — globally propelling women business owners into greater economic, social,
and political spheres of power.
NAWBO is not a nonprofit, but low fees to join as an Introductory member.
SCORE
SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. Since 1964, the company has been dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals. SCORE is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization and resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SCORE takes pride in their experience, passion for volunteer work, and their diverse relationships.
SCORE provides a wide range of services to established and budding business owners alike. This includes free, confidential business mentoring in person at more than 250 local chapters or remotely online. There are also webinars, on-demand courses and workshops, and a library of online resources with the most relevant educational content to support entrepreneurial success.
Ellevate
Ellevate helps women build meaningful local and digital relationships that can offer insights and open doors. The company also connects women in an increasingly disconnected world, while redefining networking through more authentic interactions so it’s not something to dread. Ellevate believes they’re the community for women who know there is strength in numbers, and who understand you just have to ‘find your people.’
Ellevate’s community has reach and influence while still remaining warm and welcoming. They focus on showing up for each other and helping everyone — no matter their background or aspirations — to build a career they love. Most importantly, they mobilize the collective power of women to change the culture of business. A certified B-Corporation, Ellevate uses collective action to shape business into a more inclusive endeavor.
Ellevate is not a nonprofit, but only modest fees to join.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA helps women entrepreneurs launch new businesses and compete in the marketplace. The administration also helps connect women with the training and funding opportunities specifically for their needs.
The SBA is a rich resource for links, including topics on funding women-owned small businesses, loans, federal contracting programs, and information on the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC). NWBC is a nonpartisan federal advisory council serving as an independent source of advice and counsel to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Council is the government’s only independent voice for women entrepreneurs, tackling important and relevant economic issues.
Although not exhaustive, this resource guide is a solid foundation to help you get started. If you’re a woman with a passion for creating your own business and want to talk about navigating your finances, reach out to an Abacus advisor. We would love to help you expand what’s possible with your dream.
