Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Key Resources for Women-Owned Small Businesses
This Women’s History Month, we celebrate women entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their industries and communities. From innovative startups to established businesses, these women are reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape and paving the way for future generations.
Empowering women entrepreneurs is vital for driving economic growth and fostering innovation. Here’s a comprehensive guide to funding opportunities, networking organizations, and support programs available across Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah to help women-owned small businesses thrive:
National Resources for Women-Owned Businesses
Women's Business Centers (WBCs): A national network of entrepreneurship centers throughout the United States and its territories, designed to assist women in starting and growing small businesses.
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): Provide counseling and training to small businesses, including working with the SBA to develop and provide informational tools to support business start-ups and existing business expansion.
Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBEC): Assists women-owned businesses in obtaining Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certification, which can provide access to corporate and government contracts.
Women's Net: Offers free tips on how to get a grant and promotes encouraging stories of women entrepreneurs. WomensNet founded the “Amber Grant” in recognition of the diversity of businesses owned by women.
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): Represents the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries, with chapters across the country, propelling women business owners into greater economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide.
Ladies who Launch: Offers free access to vital business tools and a resource navigator grants database to enable women business owners around the world to thrive.
Colorado
Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce (CWCC): Offers networking events, educational programs, and mentorship opportunities specifically for women entrepreneurs. Their goal is to help women-owned businesses thrive through strategic partnerships and advocacy.
Colorado Business Women (CBW): A professional organization for women that focuses on empowerment, connection, and advancement in the business world. CBW offers networking events, professional development opportunities, and community outreach to foster both personal and business growth for women.
The Colorado Women’s Education Foundation: Invests in women who are transforming their lives through education - for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Startup Colorado: Rural Women in Entrepreneurship network is dedicated to women in business at any stage. The purpose of the group is to promote networking, share resources and events, and peer review.
The Alliance of Professional Women: Networking organization composed of professional women from all lines of work, with a mission to connect women personally, professionally, and philanthropically.
New Mexico
WESST Women’s Business Program: Provides access to business training, microloans, and financial literacy education tailored to women entrepreneurs in New Mexico.
NAWBO New Mexico: Funded by a group of businesswomen to serve as the voice of women business owners and advocate on behalf of their entrepreneurial interests.
Arizona
Prestamos Women’s Business Center: Hosted by Chicanos Por La Causa Prestamos and funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Arizona Small Business Association: Offers educational programs, advocacy, and networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs across the state.
Utah
Women’s Business Center of Utah: Provides customized advising, education and networking opportunities to women entrepreneurs in every county of the state.
The HerRise MicroGrant: Offers financial support to innovative women who struggle to secure funding for their community-impacting small businesses.
Suazo Business Center: A business resource committed to the development and empowerment of the economically disadvantaged. They provide assistance to help existing and potential entrepreneurs succeed and build wealth.
Women-owned businesses are essential to the economy. At B:Side Fund, we offer support for entrepreneurs, including small business assistance, resources, referrals, and funding through direct lending options. Explore more resources for every area of your business at bsidefund.org.
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