Communities & Support for Women Entrepreneurs

Many entrepreneurs try to take on all aspects of running a business independently. Not only is this a sure way to burn out, but it can also be highly isolating. Networking as a small business owner is crucial to running and growing your business and can give you vital insight into the direction of your company. 

However, finding the resources necessary to support your business can be difficult, especially as a woman entrepreneur. Here, we’ve rounded up some communities, programs, and organizations to help you along your journey.

Federal Programs and Government Resources for Women Entrepreneurs

There are a wealth of programs available for small business owners, as well as specifically women entrepreneurs. Many of these programs are part of the Small Business Association (SBA). These resources range from training opportunities (like the Ascent SBA portal) to technical assistance centers and full departments. 

Remember that not all of these programs work for all businesses; some are directly tied to women-owned small businesses on government contracts. However, if you’re looking for professional resources to help support your women-owned business, these are great places to start. 

• America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
• Ascent SBA
• Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC)
• DreamBuilder Program
• National Women’s Business Council
• Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO)
• Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) Federal Contract program

Independent Organizations for Women Entrepreneurs

Independent organizations are a great source of support for women entrepreneurs. These programs range from associations to increase support and visibility for women-owned businesses to coaching programs to give women the resources they need to succeed. 

Suppose you’re looking for professionally organized resources to take your business skills to the next level, branch out through your small business, or find funding. These independent organizations are a great place to start. 

As with the federal resources, not all of these education and support opportunities fit every entrepreneur. However, suppose you’re looking for a wealth of information and professional support. In that case, this list is a fantastic way to branch out and get in contact with a range of people interested in helping and growing women-owned small businesses. 

• Association of Women’s Business Center (AWBC)
• Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE)
• CHASE Curated Coaching for Entrepreneurs
• Ladies Who Launch
• National Association of Women in Real Estate Businesses (NAWRB)
• National Association of Women’s Business Owners (NAWBO)
• SCORE
• The Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell
• U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce (USWCC)
• US Coalition of Black Women Businesses (USCBWB)
• Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)
• Women’s Venture Fund
• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
• Women’s Presidents’ Organization (WPO)

Online Support Communities for Women Entrepreneurs

Community support is crucial for any entrepreneur. These online communities share inspiration, insights, resources, and more. These are fantastic resources if you’re looking for professional, accepting communities that elevate women entrepreneurs and their businesses. Whether you’re looking for funding resources and community support or are just looking for other entrepreneurs to talk to, these online communities are a great place to build connections. 

• 10,000 Women Online
• Dreamers and Doers
• Ellevate
• Female Entrepreneur Association
• Female Founders
• Female Founder Collective
• Female Founder Space
• Milestone Circles
• Women Founders Network
• Women In Business Club

Additionally, check local MeetUp events in your area for networking or support communities and check Facebook Groups for women entrepreneurs or something more niche-specific to your industry.

If you’re a woman small business owner looking to elevate your online presence, we can help. At Planted Marketing, we work closely with small- and mid-sized businesses to build websites, cultivate connections, and expand your business’s social media presence. From increasing website traffic to building brand awareness and everything in between, we work closely with entrepreneurs to make their dreams a reality. Contact us today if you want to grow your business or learn more. 

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Planted Marketing is a full-service digital marketing agency created for small to mid-size businesses, start-ups, and personal brands. We customize our plans to fit the business at each stage of growth. Want to learn more? Send us a message at info@plantedmarketing.com. Talk soon!