How to Celebrate National Women’s Small Business Month

How to celebrate National Women’s Small Business Month

By participating in National Women’s Small Business Month, you can help uplift and empower women entrepreneurs, fostering a more inclusive and diverse business landscape. “Women business owners are the engines of our economy,” said Dr. Janis Shinkawa, chair of the National Association of Women Business Owners’s Board of Directors. “We know women business owners are leaders in their respective industries and markets, giving back to their businesses, employees and their communities.”

According to Sima Ladjevardian, Chair of the National Women’s Business Council, National Women’s Small Business Month is also a time to address the systemic barriers women entrepreneurs still face today, including access to capital, federal contracting opportunities and mentorship.

“National Women’s Small Business Month is an opportunity to bring visibility to this important mission and empower the next generation of women entrepreneurs,” Ladjevardian explained.

Whether you’ve got a few minutes to spare or are ready to take on a long-term commitment, there’s a way for everyone to celebrate women in business in October.

1. Share exciting facts about women in business. 

According to the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report, there are over 14 million women-owned businesses, representing 39.1 percent of all United States-based businesses and generating $2.7 trillion in revenue. Additionally, the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship’s 2023 report found that women entrepreneurs created nearly half of all new U.S.-based businesses.

“This remarkable growth, particularly in the relatively short 35 years since the passage of H.R. 5050 — the Women’s Business Ownership Act, which eliminated the requirement for male co-signers on business loans — deserves recognition and celebration,” said Ladjevardian.

Most articles about women in business (especially in STEM fields) focus almost exclusively on inequality and harassment instead of success, progress, opportunity or resilience. While these are crucial issues to acknowledge and work toward resolving, consider sharing some positive facts about women in business on your social media to paint a more balanced picture. After all, the best way to inspire young women to go into business is by encouraging them with success stories of women entrepreneurs. 

2. Seek and share opportunities designated for woman-owned businesses.

If you’re a female entrepreneur and want to throw your hat into the ring for government contracts, now is the perfect time to get certified as a woman-owned business. The Small Business Administration’s Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program helps female business owners get a fair shot at government contracts — and the more businesses that compete, the better. 

If your business isn’t eligible or a good fit for an opportunity, take a moment to share it with a female business owner who might be interested.

3. Volunteer or become a mentor.

If you’re a thriving female entrepreneur, consider giving back by volunteering with organizations that support women in business or by becoming a mentor. Nonprofit organizations like the well-known Big Brothers Big Sisters of America are great places to start, but you can also begin at work or by joining an online community.

Adding your voice to those of other business owners might not seem groundbreaking, but representation matters, even if it’s online. The more visible female business owners are, the more likely young women will be inspired to start their own businesses. Whether you’re a CEO with hundreds of employees or a small business owner working part-time from home, your voice can make a difference.

4. Invest and donate to help women in business.

If you’re too busy to pursue mentorship or advocacy, you can support women-owned small businesses by investing, donating or patronizing them. You can also have your business support a charity that empowers women. Here are some ideas:

• Donate to causes that help women entrepreneurs: Many causes help underprivileged women start businesses, including Kiva, which supports crowdfunded microloans for female entrepreneurs worldwide. Consider visiting Kiva online, finding a cause and donating what you can to help.
• Invest in women-owned businesses: If you have access to more extensive financing, consider becoming a venture capitalist or angel investor and investing directly in small women-run businesses.
• Contribute to nonprofits that empower women: Consider donating to or supporting one of the many nonprofits that empower women to achieve financial independence, including the following:
  • Dress for Success helps women in need get appropriate attire for interviews and navigate the professional world with confidence. 
  • Nontraditional Employment for Women is another great program that helps women enter trade careers that pay well and do not require degrees — and in which women are vastly underrepresented. 
  • The Center for Women & Enterprise helps women across the United States start their own businesses by providing them with valuable guidance, access and resources.
• Start your own fundraising campaign: If you want to raise extra awareness for National Women’s Small Business Month, consider starting a fundraising campaign on Facebook for an organization that supports women in the workforce. 

5. Network with other women in business.

Even if you’re not a small business owner, this month is an excellent time to connect with women in your field and build meaningful relationships. Professional meetups and established local business groups can help women in various fields find like-minded peers — many of whom could serve as potential strategic partners.

“From making referrals to contracting, reaching out to your local women-owned businesses should be the first step for small businesses,” emphasized Shinkawa. “Also, with the help of digital-based tools, you can work with women-owned businesses in other states.”

Larger organizations often host events and help connect women with similar business interests. Consider reaching out to the following: 

• The National Association of Women Business Owners
• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
• American Business Women’s Association 
• National Women’s Business Council 
• Ellevate Network
• Ladies Who Launch
• Lean In Circles (LeanIn.org) 

You may also want to contact your local branch of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, even though it isn’t a female-specific organization. It is the largest small business advocacy group in the country and attending a few local events may help you meet other female entrepreneurs.

6. Explore resources for women entrepreneurs.

The challenges of starting a business can feel daunting, especially if you don’t have a degree or business training. However, several organizations and agencies can provide women small business owners with education, training and resources. 

For example, the Association of Women’s Business Centers is a nonprofit that provides in-person and virtual mentoring and training to women small business owners nationwide. The organization has partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration to create nearly 150 Women’s Business Centers across the country. This organization is an excellent resource for women who want more business knowledge. It also allows aspiring entrepreneurs to create new connections and network with like-minded individuals. 

Additional local and regional resources can also help provide support for women entrepreneurs.

7. Create promotions for National Women’s Small Business Month.

Promotions are a great way for small businesses to support National Women’s Small Business Month. If you own a business, launch a promotion where a percentage of the proceeds will help organizations sustain women-owned small businesses. Create an enticing offer to customers and design a dedicated online landing page for that promotion. Advertise the offer on your website and social media accounts.

8. Uplift female entrepreneurs on social media. 

Whether or not you own a small business, uplifting female entrepreneurs on social media is an easy and effective way to show your support during National Women’s Small Business Month. Show women-owned small businesses you care by sharing their content with your followers. Share one of their posts on your Instagram account, make a video about their brand on TikTok or send their account to your closest friends. Choose your favorite platform and get creative. 

9. Become an advocate for inclusive policies.

If you’re a small business owner, one of the best ways to support women in business is to advocate for inclusive policies that remove barriers to entry.

In addition to serving as role models — for example, actively hiring women for leadership roles and partnering with women-owned businesses — Ladjevardian encourages business owners to reach out directly to key policymakers.

“Sharing your experiences and insights is critical — there are leaders eager to learn from small businesses to help share more effective policies,” Ladjevardian noted. “By taking an active role in this process, we can ensure the creation of an entrepreneurial environment that supports women and fosters growth for all.”

Danielle Fallon-O’Leary contributed to this article.