Funding Resources for Women at Your Fingertips

Funding Resources for Women at

Your Fingertips

by Elizabeth Denham

Are you ready to be a business owner? Do you crave the freedom and excitement of being in charge of your own future? Have you found just the right franchise opportunity that aligns with your passion, lifestyle and goals? The next question is the toughest one. Do you have the funding to launch your dream into a reality?

“Funding.” The dreaded word. While passion, drive and work ethic will help you succeed, one of the biggest obstacles to overcome when investing in a franchise is funding. If you do not have cash on hand, then you are going to need to find a funding source. While you may consult with brokers during your search for a franchise, you will need to know what funding options are

available and what you may qualify for before you take the leap. A good place to start your research is the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The SBA has resources specifically allocated to helping female entrepreneurs start new businesses and succeed in the market. The Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO), through programs run by the district SBA offices, can direct you to programs for training, counseling, federal contracts, and access to credit and capital. They also operate Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) across the country to help women achieve their goals, level the playing field and provide mentorship. You can find a center near you here.

Here are some resources to review when researching your funding options:

• 8(a) Business Development Program • Local Assistance Resources • Lender Match Tool • SBA Loan Programs • National Women’s Business Council • DreamBuilder • Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) • Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) • National Association of Women in Construction • National Association of Women in Real Estate Businesses (NAWRB) • National Association of Women’s Business Owners (NAWBO) • U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce (USWCC) • Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) • Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) • Women’s Presidents’ Organization (WPO)