The business world has changed a lot in the last few decades, but women who own businesses and work in them still have to deal with problems that are unique to them on their way to success. Women in business often face challenges that need special help and resources, like getting money, working in fields that are mostly male, juggling many responsibilities, and dealing with unconscious bias. Fortunately, a strong network of organizations, programs, networks, and tools has developed to help women at every stage of their business journey. Knowing how to use these resources can mean the difference between doing well on your own and doing well with the help of others.
One of the most important things that women entrepreneurs need is money and funding. Studies show that women-owned businesses get a disproportionately small amount of venture capital and traditional business loans. The National Association of Women Business Owners and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council are two groups that help women business owners find funding and certification programs that can lead to corporate contracts. Crowdfunding sites like IFundWomen focus on raising money for businesses run by women, and programs like Amber Grant and the Cartier Women’s Initiative give money to women-owned businesses. Also, microfinance institutions and community development financial institutions often have programs that help women-owned small businesses by giving them money and teaching them about money management and business.
Women can meet, work together, and grow their businesses through business networks and professional associations. Women can share their experiences, give each other advice, and make real professional connections in groups like the National Association of Professional Women, Women in Technology International, and groups that focus on a specific field. These networks often hold local chapter meetings, workshops, and conferences that make it easier for people to meet in person and learn. Women executives and entrepreneurs can connect with each other, get exclusive content, and find mentors on online platforms like Ellevate Network and Chief. These networks do more than just give business advice; they also give emotional support, inspiration, and the reminder that women in business are not alone in their problems.
Many women in business have changed their lives through mentorship and coaching programs, which give them advice, accountability, and wisdom from people who have been through similar situations. SCORE and other groups offer free mentoring from experienced business people, and many of these mentors are especially interested in helping women start their own businesses. The Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program and Vital Voices are two examples of programs that offer structured mentorship and other resources. A lot of companies and business schools also have programs that help women find mentors. They know that having a mentor can help women move up in their careers and grow their businesses faster. Women who need more help can get it through executive coaching services designed for women leaders. These services can help with things like negotiation, leadership development, and balancing work and personal life. It’s important to find mentors and coaches who know what women are going through and can give them useful advice.
Women can get the education and skills they need to do well in today’s competitive business world through resources for skill development and education. Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Skillshare are all online platforms that offer courses on a wide range of topics, including digital marketing, financial management, leadership, and technology. The Small Business Administration funds groups like Women’s Business Centers that help women business owners all over the U.S. with free or low-cost training, counseling, and technical support. The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative helps women entrepreneurs around the world learn about business. Babson College’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership is an example of a program that focuses on women’s business success through cutting-edge research and education. Many colleges and universities now offer executive education programs and certificate courses that take into account the unique needs and schedules of women. These programs often have flexible formats that work around family obligations.
Digital tools and technology platforms have changed the way women can start, run, and grow their businesses. Entrepreneurial platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Wix make it easier than ever to start an online store without needing a lot of technical knowledge or a lot of money up front.
Tools for managing projects, like Asana and Trello, help women business owners stay organized and run their teams well. Accounting software, like QuickBooks and FreshBooks, makes it easier to keep track of money. Women entrepreneurs can build brands, connect with customers, and sell products directly through social media platforms. These are powerful and inexpensive marketing channels. Coworking spaces and virtual office services give you a professional place to work and help with administrative tasks without the cost of a regular office lease. This is especially helpful for women who have to balance work and family. Also, apps that help with productivity, time management, and health help women keep the balance they need to be successful over the long term.
Women can get help with business compliance, intellectual property, and contracts through legal and regulatory support services. Women entrepreneurs who might not be able to pay for legal help can get free or low-cost legal help from groups like the Legal Aid Society and volunteer lawyer programs. Many bar associations have groups that focus on women in business. These groups hold workshops on things like how to start a business, how to negotiate a contract, and employment law. LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer are two examples of online legal services that make it easy and cheap to get legal documents and advice. The Small Business Administration also has resources that explain regulatory requirements in simple terms. Women’s business centers often work with lawyers to hold clinics and consultations to answer common legal questions. It’s important for any woman in business to know her legal rights and duties in order to protect her business and personal assets.
Work-life integration resources recognize that numerous women in business manage various roles and obligations. Women can succeed without giving up their health or family responsibilities thanks to organizations and programs that support this reality. Mothers can work productively while their kids are nearby at flexible coworking spaces with childcare options, such as The Wing or local women’s collaborative workspaces. Women business owners can delegate tasks and focus on high-value activities with the help of virtual assistant services and outsourcing platforms. Employee resource groups in businesses help working mothers and caregivers by creating supportive communities. Companies like Werk and FlexJobs help women find flexible jobs. More and more, businesses are seeing resources that deal with mental health, stress management, and preventing burnout as essential. This is because staying healthy physically and mentally is necessary for long-term success.
Women entrepreneurs can grow their businesses faster if they can get into markets and find suppliers. Getting certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by groups like the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council can help you get contracts with both the government and private companies. Many large companies have supplier diversity programs that actively look for women-owned businesses. Online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and niche sites let you reach a lot of customers without having to rent or own a store. Women business owners can grow their businesses internationally with the help of trade missions and export assistance programs. The Department of Defense’s Office of Small Business Programs connects women-owned businesses with federal contracting opportunities. Pitch competitions and accelerator programs not only give you money, but they also help you get in front of potential customers, partners, and investors. Using these tools can turn a small business into a business that serves a whole region, the whole country, or even the whole world.
By collecting data, pushing for policy changes, and raising public awareness, research and advocacy groups work to make business more fair for women. Catalyst, the Center for Women’s Business Research, and Lean In are some of the groups that do research that shows the problems women face and why businesses should hire more women. They give women information and insights that help them understand what’s going on in their field, compare their experiences to others, and speak up for themselves more effectively. Advocacy groups work on policy issues that affect women business owners, such as getting access to capital, fair parental leave, equal pay, and protections against discrimination. Women in business can help bring about systemic change that will help women entrepreneurs and professionals now and in the future by supporting these groups and staying up to date on their work.
There are a lot of resources available for women in business today because people are aware of the problems that still exist and are more committed to helping women succeed.
But resources are only useful when people know about them and use them. Women in business should actively look for the resources that are most useful to them right now, whether they need money, want to learn new skills, want to find a mentor, or want to grow into new markets. Giving back is just as important. When women succeed, they can become mentors, investors, customers, and advocates for other women in business, which makes the whole ecosystem stronger. Women can overcome challenges, reach their goals, and change what is possible in the business world with the right tools and support. Building a business or moving up in a career is rarely easy. The most important thing to remember is that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it’s a smart move that the most successful businesspeople and professionals, regardless of gender, do.