Women business owners are critically important to the American economy. America's 9.1 million women-owned businesses employ 27.5 million people and contribute $3.6 trillion to the economy.

WomenOwned - Business Networks for Women - WomanOwned was formed in 1998, and since then we have provided the information, tools, networking opportunities and advice that have helped hundreds of thousands of women. Women just like you - starting or growing their business.Today, we offer even more. Hundreds of articles. Access to business tools and resources. And now, the new Network at WomanOwned is your place for building your own online network, writing your own blog, selling products and services, and sharing with our other members. http://www.womanowned.com/

Womenbiz.gov Government contracts can be a great source of business revenue for both new and established businesses. But to get those contracts, you have to understand the process and how to navigate it successfully. Wherever you are in developing your business, womenbiz.gov can help you do business with the federal government. You’ll find useful information and links specifically focused on the woman business owner interested in doing business with the federal government. http://www.womenbiz.gov/

Count Me In Loans - Count Me In provides micro loans from $500 to $10,000 to women who are starting or growing their businesses. Your first loan must be $5000 or less. Each time you repay a loan in full, you are eligible to borrow again from Count Me In. If you are interested in a larger business loan, you may qualify for Count Me In's Make Mine a $Million Business program please go to www.makemineamillion.org for further details. http://www.count-me-in.org/

Key4Women - We are dedicated to helping you take advantage of every opportunity that you discover, as well as creating new ones along the way. We'll always offer fresh thinking and solutions to help you achieve your business goals while balancing your personal ones. With dedicated specialists that really know where you're coming from, you'll get the financial expertise to help take your business exactly where you want it to go. http://www.key.com/html/I-5.html

Federal Contracting Opportunities for Minority-Owned Businesses:

HUBZone Empowerment Contracting
Small Disadvantaged Business Certification
8(a) Business Development

The National Minority Business Council, Inc. (NMBC) has been helping small, minority- and women-owned businesses succeed for over a quarter century. http://www.nmbc.org/

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. MBDA is the only federal agency created specifically to foster the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses in America. MBDA is an entrepreneurially focused and innovative organization committed to wealth creation in minority communities. The Agency's mission is to actively promote the growth and competitiveness of large, medium and small minority business enterprises (MBEs). MBDA actively coordinates and leverages public and private-sector resources that facilitate strategic alliances in support of its mission. http://www.mbda.gov

From the University of South Carolina-- the following is a list of 20 Internet sites which may provide useful information to business owners, professionals, and workers who are part of the minority community. http://www.libsci.sc.edu/bob/class/clis748/Studentwebguides/minoritybus.htm

Tthe Kauffman Foundation, nurtures entrepreneurial curiosity and interest among young people by developing and supporting programs that give them early exposure to the risks, rewards, and critical thinking skills they need to succeed. http://www.kauffman.org/entrepreneurship.cfm?topic=youth

Youth Entrepreneurship Research Guide - Youth entrepreneurship is roughly defined as entrepreneurial activity undertaken by a young person between the ages of 13 and 23, regardless of school affiliation or participation. http://www.celcee.edu/about/guides/youth.html