Welcome to the Women’s Business Center Program! Click to go to next slide

Mission Let’s talk about what that means. Let’s talk about Click to go to next slide

H.R. 5050 established the WBC Program in 1988. It is codified in 15 USC 655. Sec. 29. Women's business center program, which states “The Administration may provide financial assistance to private nonprofit organizations to conduct 5-year projects for the benefit of small business concerns owned and controlled by women.” It is to include “a representative number of women who are both socially and economically disadvantaged.” However, that is not the focus of the program; all women entrepreneurs are. Balance = Win Win. You want a balance of disadvantaged and those who can afford to invest in their businesses. Click to go to next slide

socially and economically disadvantaged individuals Our mission is to help whom? women and men women and minorities women entrepreneurs socially and economically disadvantaged individuals women, minorities and veterans start and grow successful businesses Click to go to next slide

Why women’s business centers? Women often start businesses for different reasons than men They run them differently They learn differently Participate more actively among other women Make sure the WBC remains separate WBC must be a clearly identifiable entity within the host Functions outside the grant must be under the host Click to go to next slide

Beware of Mission Creep Reputation starts to spread Demand starts to grow Opportunities to do more More men, more vets, Microloan Program, certifications, personal finance education, Dress for Success … But … Click to go to next slide

Our mission is to help women start and grow successful businesses.