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Women-Owned Business Organizations

Industry groups, councils, associations and organizations.
Women's Empowerment
NAOFP is the fastest growing women's network in N. America
www.naofp.com/
2008 Top 10 Work At Home
Top 10 Scam Free Work At Home Jobs Earn Good Money Working At Home Now
www.Best10WorkAtHome.org
Women Owned Business
Get more information about becoming a Nordstrom-approved local supplier
www.nordstrom.com
SFV Business Breakfast
4th Tuesday 7 a.m. Mission Hills Network, Mingle, Find New Business
www.Meetup.com/SFVBusinessBreakfast
LA County Entrepreneurs
Visit the most comprehensive Los Angeles business resource
www.labusinessconnect.com
Want 8(a) Certification?
Retired SBA District Director helps minorities & women get certified.
www.charlesgaston.com
A-Z Women-Owned Business Organizations Provider Directory
1-9 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
Association of Professional Insurance Women (APIW)
Industry group that provides members with opportunities for professional development and networking to help women advance their careers.
www.apiw.org
American Society of Women Accountants
Professional group promoting women in accounting to achieve personal, professional and economic potential and contribute to the future development of their profession.
www.aswa.org
Asian Women in Business
Site contains business and economic development information for the entrepreneur; a directory of Asian American and business organizations; and a searchable directory of small business owners.
www.awib.org
Association for Women in Development (AWID)
Provider of resources and programs for scholars, practitioners, policymakers and students to discuss and share ideas concerning how to advance women's rights within development.
www.awid.org
B
Business Women's Network Interactive (BWNI)
Website providing tools, resources and opportunities for business women and women entrepreneurs.
www.bwni.com
C
Catalystwomen.org
Nonprofit organization working to advance women in business through research studies, advisory services, events and conferences.
www.catalystwomen.org
Count Me In
An organization that makes small-business loans and gives training scholarships to women.
www.count-me-in.org
D
Women's Bureau: US Department of Labor
Statistics, special reports, fact sheets, news, posters, programs and links to related sites.
www.dol.gov
Association for Women in Business
Provides a forum for students concerned about issues ranging from career opportunities for women to the challenge of balancing work and personal life.
www.duke.edu
Association for Women in Business at Fuqua
Provider of resources for students concerned about issues ranging from career opportunities for women to the challenge of balancing work and personal life.
www.duke.edu
E
Executive Women International (EWI)
Industry group providing international networking, programming, leadership development and community involvement.
www.executivewomen.org
F
Femmes Chefs d'Entreprises Mondiales (FCEM)
International women's business organization comprised of national association of women business owners from over 35 different countries of the five continents representing corporate, academic, government, education, agriculture, commerce, manufa...
www.fcem.org
Forum for Women Entrepreneurs
Non-profit Silicon Valley trade association fostering, supporting and promoting entrepreneurship among women in the technology and life science businesses.
www.fwe.org
Financial Women International
FWI serves women in the financial services industry who seeks to expand their personal and professional capabilities through self-directed growth in a supportive environment.
www.fwi.org
G
Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW)
Nonprofit economic development organization that provides women opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge needed to achieve economic independence.
www.growbusiness.org
I
IEEE Women in Engineering
Promotes membership, gathers and disseminates appropriate information about the status of women in IEEE and the profession.
www.ieee.org
Institute for Women in Trades, Technology and Science (IWITTS)
Professional group dedicated to integrating women into the full range of trades, technology and science careers.
www.iwitts.com
M
Mom MD
An online community for mothers who are practicing physicians or students of medicine. The site provides information, inspiration, support and advice for women, particularly mothers in medicine.
www.mommd.com
N
National Association for Female Executives
For professional women and women business owners. Provides resources and services — through education, networking, and public advocacy — to empower its members to achieve career success and financial security.
www.nafe.com
National Association of Railway Business Women
A resource for women in the railway industry.
www.narbw.org
National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
International association that promotes and supports the advancement and employment of women in the construction industry.
www.nawic.org
National Foundation for Women Business Owners (NFWBO)
A non-profit research organization, that supports the growth of women business owners and their enterprises by conducting research, sharing information and increasing knowledge.
www.nfwbo.org
O
SBA's Online Women's Business Center
Combines information from sixty SBA-affiliated Women's Business Centers to bring most current information on business principles and practices, management techniques, mentoring, networking and business resources.
www.onlinewbc.gov
National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (NAWEM)
A platform for women entrepreneurs to exploit business opportunities and harness their capabilities and resources.
nawem.org.my
Organization of Women in International Trade
Industry group promoting the interest of women doing business in international trade by providing networking and educational opportunities.
www.owit.org
P
Professional BusinessWomen of California
Industry group providing resources to advance women's full participation and impact in connecting, collaborating, communicating and transforming the community.
www.pbwc.org
S
Springboard 2000
Designed to increase the investment channels for women entrepreneurs and facilitate investments in women-led firms by corporate, angel and venture investors.
www.springboardenterprises.org
T
Tuolumne County Women's Network
Provider or resources for women in the business community to build their businesses through networking, social and educational meetings.
www.tcwomensnetwork.com
W
Women Business Owners of Manitoba
A non-profit independent organization that addresses the unique needs of the woman entrepreneur by providing workshops, seminars, conferences, and other networking opportunities.
www.wbom.mb.ca
Women Construction Owners & Executives
Promotes opportunities and business for women-owned firms and decision-making executives in the construction industry.
www.wcoeusa.org
Women's Funding Network
As a partnership of women's funds, donors, and allies around the world committed to social justice, the mission of the WFN is to ensure that women's funds are recognized as the "investment of choice" for people who value the full participation o...
www.wfnet.org
Women in Agriculture
A communication network where women in the agriculture community can share information, trade ideas and utilize resources.
www.wia.usda.gov
Women in Technology International (WITI)
Professional group dedicated to advancing women in technology.
www.witi.org
Association for Women in Communications
Industry group that provides a network for women to make career moves across the spectrum of the communications industry.
www.womcom.org
WomenBiz.gov
Established to coordinate government efforts on behalf of women entrepreneurs.
www.womenbiz.gov
Women Contractors Association
Based in Sugarland, Texas, this association was formed to promote the growth of women owners and executives in the construction industry.
www.womencontractors.org
Women's Rural Entrepreneurial Network
Encourages women through an exchange of resources, the development of community, the opportunity to gain new skills and the achievement of economic independence.
www.wrencommunity.org
Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corportation
Assists entrepreneurs with a variety of services to strengthen their ability to operate and grow their businesses.
www.wwbic.com
Y
Zonta International
Worldwide service organization of business and professional executives working to advance the status of women.
dir.yahoo.com
Women's Empowerment
NAOFP is the fastest growing women's network in N. America
www.naofp.com/
2008 Top 10 Work At Home
Top 10 Scam Free Work At Home Jobs Earn Good Money Working At Home Now
www.Best10WorkAtHome.org
Women Owned Business
Get more information about becoming a Nordstrom-approved local supplier
www.nordstrom.com

Guide to Women-Owned Business Organizations

Women-owned business organizations benefit business women in many ways


Women in business organizations offer entrepreneurs and executives the opportunity to learn new ideas and strategies. Women form partnerships, network with others and have educational opportunities. There's a sense of camaraderie among members that they may not feel in the day-to-day business world.

Organizations for women in business are centered around integrity, collaboration, respect, responsibility, empowerment, compassion and learning. There are many different organizations, depending on where you think you fit in. If you're an executive, you'd probably want to be surrounded by other company executives. If you own a business, there are several small business owner organizations. When looking into groups:

1. Consider the hundreds of organizations offering membership opportunities.

2. Know women business groups charge membership dues depending on the level you want to achieve.

3. Take advantage of a women business organization for the professional and personal benefits.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose between different types of women's business groups There are women business organizations of all sizes throughout the US. Some are nationwide, while others are based in your state or city. Every business woman can find the one that matches her personality, goals and objectives. That's because there are several groups--some for international women owned businesses, women small business organizations and minority women business organizations.

I recommend:  Use the National Women's Business Council database to link you to dozens of women business associations in the US and abroad. Small Business Notes also provides a list of women business groups including such as Women in Technology International (WITI) and National Association of Female Executives (NAFE). Join the American Business Women's Association (ABWA), which spans the US with tens of thousands of members. Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon (WEO) is one state-based women’s business organization where members have access to networking, education and mentoring opportunities.

Expect to pay membership dues to join a Women in Business organization Women business associations charge anywhere from less than $100 to a few thousand dollars per year for membership, depending on the available benefits and membership levels.

I recommend:  The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is one of the top women-owned business organizations. To be a NAWBO member in good standing, you must join the chapter and national organization. There are different categories of members, some have voting rights and others do not. Women's Presidents Organization (WPO), a group devoted to promoting acceptance and advancement for women in the workplace, have dues ranging from around $850 to be a member at large, $1500 to belong to a chapter and $5000 to be a member of the Zenith Group.

Benefit greatly from becoming part of Women in Business organizations Being a member of women in business groups benefits you in so many ways. Not only do you make personal relationships, you develop connections, contacts and resources to help grow your business and you learn from other members. You also have the chance to make a difference in the community. In addition, most women's business groups have tangible member benefits.

I recommend:  Women in business organizations such as Association of Women in International Trade (WIIT) get to attend seminars and meetings, access online job banks and become part of a dynamic network of professionals. Benefits for members of National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) include insurance at special prices, financial services, savings on your next car, travel discounts and savings on books.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
  • Jump on board with high-tech ways to benefit from women business organizations. Some groups, such as WPO, provide members with podcasts and webcasts.

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How-To Guide from WORK.COM

Guide author
By Kelly Shetsky
Women-owned business organizations benefit business women in many ways.
Women in business organizations offer entrepreneurs and executives the opportunity to learn new ideas and strategies. Women form partnerships, network with others and have educational opportunities. There's a sense of camaraderie among members ... Read more



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