By Rhonda Campbell
As a women business leader, you might achieve business success on your own. But, it’s doubtful that you will continue growing your business, creating lasting success, on your own.
Depending on the line of business you’re in, you may need to partner with developers, designers, publicists, marketers, packagers or customer service representatives to handle increases in customer sales. As your business grows you also might have to build partnerships with attorneys, public relations professionals and communications specialists.
Meeting these people can be tough, especially if you operate a home based business that’s located in a small town. Women business associations could introduce you to the right specialists.
Entrepreneurial and women business associations that could help you
Following are several women business associations that offer online and offline training seminars, networking events and/or Q&A sessions with successful business leaders, grants and fun activities that teach and inspire. If you do join one or more of these women business organizations, consider attending a few events sponsored by the organizations in person. After all, little surpasses meeting other positive visionaries face-to-face.
- American Business Women’s Association – “The mission of the American Business Women’s Association is to bring together business women 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.”
- National Association of Women Business Owners – Works to transform public policy, build strategic alliances, create effective business change and strengthen efforts to create wealth capacity for its members.
- Women’s Business Development Center – “The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), formed in 1995, fosters the development and retention of successful business by delivering resources that enable individuals to start new businesses and grow existing ones.”
- National Latina Business Women’s Association – “NLBWA’s mission since 1998 has been to promote, develop and support the rapid growth of Latina business owners, professionals and their families.”
- National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs – Aims to “promote and protect the interests of business and professional women, to serve as advisors for young people seeking to enter business and the professions, to improve the quality of life in our local and global communities and to foster good fellowship.”
- Onaben – Provides entrepreneurial empowerment to Native American business owners.
- 20 First – Focuses on building gender balanced businesses.
- National Council of Asian American Business Associations – Connects “corporate America and government agencies to Asian American chambers of commerce, business organizations, entrepreneurs and leaders.” Also educates and unifies the Asian American small business community.
- Black Women’s Network – “Networking and mentoring urban women in business, career and professional development.”
- Disabled Businessperson’s Association – “Assists entrepreneurs and professionals with disabilities to maximize their potential in the business world, and to encourage the participation and enhance the performance of the individuals with disabilities in the workforce.”
