Women Business Owners

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Women-owned businesses are increasing in number, range, diversity and earning power. As women business owners expand their companies, they become increasingly important to the local, regional and national economies. The figures are mounting, both in receipts from women-owned companies and in numbers of women entrepreneurs, providing definition to the substantial economic impact of women business owners.

Successes

Women representing some of the thousands helped by the SBDCs in a single year span a range of industries as well as services utilized. Download a few case studies or view some of the stories below.

Targeted Services for Women

The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers provide services to all small business populations and make special efforts to reach members of socially and economically disadvantaged groups, including women entrepreneurs. In fact, women-and jointly-owned businesses consistently represent over half of our client base. The services provided by the SBDC are available to all citizens on a non-discriminatory basis, and are tailored to the local community and the needs of individual clients. Understanding the unique challenges women face, the SBDCs provide services tailored to their specific needs.

• Experienced, professional staff help women uncover resources and loan programs available to help them start and grow successful businesses. For instance, consultants may recommend opportunities such as SBA's pre-qualification program, designed especially for those historically underrepresented in the business community.
• SBDC consultants help small business owners take advantage of opportunities that level the playing field within the private and public sector. With 8(a) or Minority/Women Business certification, for instance, women-owned firms capable of producing quality products and services at competitive prices have a more competitive position in procuring contracts.
• The SBDCs serve women entrepreneurs by providing targeted training and technical assistance to help them compete. Regionally, the SBDC offices coordinate roundtables, networking groups, forums to enable women to know the range of programs and publications available to them throughout their business ownership.

Impact

According to independent research*, women-owned firms receiving SBDC assistance:

• Created 2,052 jobs and saved an additional 1,359 positions
• Generated $135 million in new sales
• Returned more than $14 million in new tax revenues

*All impact data and figures are from independent analysis of the SBDC program in Pennsylvania in 2005 by Dr. James Chrisman of Mississippi State University.

Advocacy

On July 23, 2007, the US House of Representatives Small Business Committee convened at Bryn Mawr College to discuss the specific issues and challenges women business owners face. Donetta D'Innocenzo, co-chair of the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers' Advocacy and Resource Development Board, provided testimony before Congresswoman and Committee Chair Nydia Velasquez (NY-12) and Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07), Committee Vice Chair.

Download D'Innocenzo's entire testimony for more information.

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