Women - Realize Your Business Dreams …
… Count Me In makes loans of $500 to $10,000 to women across the country who have nowhere to turn for their first business loan. The organization also provides programs that offer contacts, online workshops, education classes, and an education library. For example, the “Make Mine a Million” Business Program offers mentoring and financing to women business owners via a dream team that creates the roadmap businesses need to grow from a micro to a million dollar enterprise. First-place winners receive loans up to $45,000 from Count Me In, a year of mentoring from a team of business advisors and an OPEN American Express Business charge card. Runners up receive loans up to $20,000. For information contact Count Me In at (212) 245-1245 or by email at info@county-me-in.org or visit the website: www.count-me-in.org.

$1,500 to $25,000 in Loans for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses…
… The National Minority Business Council has been helping small, minority and women-owned businesses succeed for over a quarter century. These businesses can access micro-loans at competitive rates, receive contract procurement and RFP announcements, assistance in accessing capital markets, SBA8(a) certification assistance, education and training, consulting and needs assessments, participate in purchasing exchanges and more. Contact: National Minority Business Council at (212) 997-4753 or online at www.nmbc.org.

Up to $16,000 in Business Loans for Women, Minorities and Veterans…
… Community express loans are targeted to low and moderate-income households and to women, minorities and/or veterans to be used exclusively for business related purposes. Loans range from $5,000 to $16,000 and carry a 7-year term with no prepayment penalty. In addition, the Center offers programs and seminars that include comprehensive training for entrepreneurs at all levels of business development. The wide range of workshops includes finance, law, marketing, franchising, international trade, procurement, accounting, tax planning and more. For more information contact the National Women’s Business Center at (202) 785-4922, or online at www.womensbusinesscenter.org.

Training and Capital for Transportation Contracts…
… To grow and compete in the transportation marketplace, the U.S. Department of Transportation offers a variety of programs to small, disadvantaged and women-owned firms including short-term lending for transportation-related projects, bonding assistance to provide opportunities to obtain bid, payment and performance bonds for transportation-related projects, and referrals to other sources of federal financial assistance. Contact the U.S. Department of Transportation Ph: (800) 532-1169 or (202) 366-5343, Web Site: http://osdbu.dot.gov.

Free Start-up Assistance for Your Business…
… Over 500,000 businesses a year are assisted by small business development center programs. Start-up and existing businesses can receive referrals to business experts, training in information access techniques, an equity financing course, educational assistance, and more. For information on centers in your area, contact the Association of Small Business Development Centers at (703) 764-9850 or visit their web site: www.asbdc-us.org.

Opportunities for Women in International Trade…
… The Alliance of Business Women International encourages and supports business women involved or interested in international trade opportunities. A number of programs and services are available including: trade missions, educational programs and seminars, networking, regional and international conventions, introductions to form business partnerships, assistance for businesses taking their first steps into worldwide markets, assistance in expanding current international markets, and new business missions with other countries. Contact the Alliance of Business Women International at phone: (760) 567-9537, email: info@abwi.org, website: www.abwi.org.

Resources for Women Entrepreneurs…
… The Center for Women’s Business Research is the premier source of knowledge about women business owners and their enterprises and conducts research, shares information and increases knowledge about this fast-growing sector of the economy. This knowledge transforms entrepreneurial opportunities for women and is changing the face of the global business environment. Programs and services include: research; customized research, seminars, executive roundtable, research resources, and education materials. Information on the Center for Women’s Business Research can be found on their website at www.nfwbo.org or by calling them at (202) 638-3060.

Want to Be Your Own Boss…?
… My newest book, “Free Money for Entrepreneurs” will show you how! There are over 10,000 programs for people who want to start or expand a business including grants, low-interest loans, and loans you don’t pay back, plus hundreds of free services like free help with filling out money applications, free help getting government contacts, free legal help, free marketing help, and more. Order your copy today at http://howtogetagrant.com/grentrepreneurs1.

Help for Minority Entrepreneurs to Start and Grow Their Businesses…
… The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is the only federal agency created specifically to foster the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses. MBDA provides funding for a network of Minority Business Development Centers, Native American Business Development Centers and Business Resource Centers throughout the country. These centers provide minority entrepreneurs with one-on-one assistance in writing business plans, marketing, management and technical assistance,
and financial planning. In addition, MBDA’s new Minority Business Internet Portal (website) is an e-commerce solution for minority business enterprises. Visit the Minority Business Development Agency’s website at www.mbda.gov or contact them by phone at (888) 324-1551 or (202) 377-1936.

$5,000 for Mature Women to Upgrade Their Skills…
… The Women’s Opportunity Award’s intent is to assist mature women who need additional skills, training and education to upgrade their employment status in order to enter or return to the job market. First-place winners receive $5,000 and second-place winners are awarded $3,000. Applicant should be the head of her household with financial responsibility for her dependents, indicate that specific training is necessary to enter or re-enter the job market, demonstrate financial need and be entering vocational or technical training or completing an undergraduate degree. Contact Women’s Opportunity Award Soroptimist International of the Americas at www.soroptimist.org/ and click on “Women’s Opportunity Awards”.

Help for Women to Compete for Contracts…
… The National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC) has implemented a pioneering economic development strategy for women business owners to increase competition for corporate and government contracts. NWBOC also provides a national certification program for women-owned and women-controlled businesses as an alternative to the multiple state and local certifications required by many public and private sector agencies. NWBOC serves as a critical link for certification of women-owned enterprises as private and public sector contractors and suppliers. NWBOC also offers e-commerce/e-procurement services. For information contact the National Women Business Owners Corporation at (800) 675-5066 or visit their website at www.nwboc.org.

Get Access to the Investors…
… Springboard Enterprises offers a venture capital forum that prepares and showcases 20-25 women-led high-growth businesses to local investors. The organization also provides: educational programs; access to information, experts and investors needed to grow a business for alumni; and a virtual bootcamp. To find out more, contact Springboard Enterprises at (202) 242-6282 or www.springboardenterprises.org.

48% of Small Businesses Are Owned By Women…
… and women-owned businesses are growing twice as fast as all other small businesses and the number of women-owned businesses is increasing at a rate that is twice the rate of other small businesses. Every year the government gives out money, help and information to assist women in starting or expanding a business. To find out how to get your share, see http://howtogetagrant.com/2women1/.