Small Town News

Women's business support

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There are a number of state and national organizations that specifically support women and their businesses. The following is the result of a quick web search and is not meant to be a comprehensive list.

The Idaho Women's Business Center in Boise (wbcidaho.org - also known as the "Women's Business Center of Idaho") opened January 3, 2012, and serves women entrepreneurs in Southwestern Idaho. The Center was funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the United States Small Business Administration and is one of a number of programs under Micro Enterprise Training and Assistance, a division of the a Boise-based nonprofit Mountain States Group. In addition to offering one-on-one counseling, the IWBC will also provide group educational classes on topics like crafting a business plan and technical assistance in areas like cash-flow analysis, marketing, loan packaging, lender referrals and networking, all available for a one-time enrollment fee of $35.

"Idaho Women in Agriculture" seems to mainly sponsor an annual conference for women involved in Idaho Agriculture, focusing on educational and networking topics that address the unique risk management challenges and opportunities facing women who are actively involved in Idaho agriculture.(idwomeninag. wordpress.com)

The mission statement of "Idaho State Business and Professional Women" is,"To achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information." (idahostatebpw.org) "Idaho Women in Business" puts emphasis on support and information for women entrepreneurs in Idaho on funding, resources, steps to starting a business and more. It features a Directory of Women-Owned Business in Idaho. The Idaho Women's Journal is an on line magazine for women in business. (idahowomensjournal.com)

The Idaho chapter of "Women Owned Business" says on their Facebook page: "We are the Idaho chapter. Join us to network and promote your Local Business. Please post what you do. Join a great group of entrepreneurial women."

The Idaho Professional Women's Express Network (IPWEN) is a division of the American Business Women's Association (ABWA web site: abwa.org), founded in 1949. Their mission is "to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition." The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) claims to be "the voice of America's 10.6 million women-owned businesses." Since 1975,

NAWBO has helped women evolve their businesses by sharing resources and providing a single voice to shape economic and public policy. NAWBO says it is the only due-based national organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries.

The National Business Women's Network says they are: "...a Level 1 networking group which seeks to engage professional women with other professional women to increase their business, build additional relationships, and improve leadership skills and influence. We provide networking and educational opportunities to our Membership base through monthly meetings, bi-monthly trade shows, and two annual social events.

The vision statement of the Network of Entrepreneurial Women says their purpose is: "To provide professional and personal growth opportunities to women in all levels and stages of business by operating through innovative, inclusive, and fun programs in a non-competitive, gender specific, and high energy environment of support and compassion."

The ASTRA Women's Business Alliance is "the Northwest Chapter of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nationally accepted certifier of women business owners recognized by Fortune 500 companies through which women can obtain certification as woman owned, operated, and controlled businesses that can lead to greater access to corporate procurement objectives."



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