Free Resources for Women Business Owners from the Small Business Administration (SBA)
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Free Resources for Women Business Owners from the Small Business Administration (SBA)
Starting and maintaining a small business is challenging. If you’re new to the entrepreneurial world, you might be feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to figure out. Every successful business owner has had help along the way, and one organization in particular provides a fantastic starting point for you. If you are seeking resources for your business, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is a great place to start.
On July 30, 1953, Congress created the SBA through the Small Business Act. The function of the SBA would be to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small business concerns. The SBA is also responsible for ensuring that small businesses are provided with a fair and equal opportunity to bid on, win, and be awarded federal contracts. Executive orders and federal legislation were established to ensure that minority-owned firms were included in opportunities to bid on government projects, and the SBA facilitates these opportunities through various programs and certifications.
The Women’s Business Ownership Act, passed in 1988, provided recognition for women in business with additional resources and addressed discriminatory lending practices. The result is that women have greater access to lending, business coaching, and business training. Further supporting women in business, the SBA helps fund a national network of Women’s Business Centers (WBCs). The SBA WBCs provide technical assistance and resources to help women start, grow, and expand their business enterprises. Women’s Business Centers can be found in various cities throughout the country.
The SBA’s website is filled with information on its various programs. To make things easier, here is a list of direct links to their programs and resources that you may find valuable:
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about securing federal contracts for your small business.
Along with a contracting guide, the SBA runs several programs dedicated to assisting disadvantaged business owners in winning federal contracts, including programs for Women-Owned Businesses, a Mentor-Protégé program, and Veteran Assistance Programs.
The SBA partners with various organizations to provide education, mentorship, counseling, technical assistance, and contracting opportunities.
This digital learning platform holds courses and training programs that teach you everything you need to know about how best to run your business. Some of these programs are even specialized for women and veterans, as well as entrepreneurs located in underserved communities.
Here you can locate regional and district SBA offices, as well as disaster offices that can help you rebuild your home or business after a crisis.
This section lists different types of partnered lending institutions that can help provide small businesses with the capital they need to succeed.
If your small business is seeking to export products, the SBA-partnered U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEACs) can help you obtain the necessary capital. You can find your local USEAC here.
The SBDC network is comprised of over 1,000 centers located throughout the country to provide training, guidance, counseling, and technical assistance in managing your small business. Each center is tailored to the community’s local needs, so you can find your local SBDC to get the help you need!
SCORE is a nonprofit organization partnered with the SBA that provides local resources, mentorship, workshops, roundtables, webinars, and digital courses. You can find your local SCORE office here.
The Community Navigator Pilot Program was established to help disadvantaged small businesses in underserved communities gain better access to COVID-19 relief programs. According to the SBA, well-connected businesses were able to access these programs as soon as they became available, while disadvantaged businesses had more difficulty. This program utilizes the SBA’s partners to engage in community outreach and make sure that COVID-19 relief reaches everyone who needs it.
While the challenges of starting your small business can be overwhelming, the SBA exists to help you overcome them. This guide should help you navigate the many SBA programs available to help your business succeed!
