Women In Business Should Never Give Up

Online, January 17, 2011 (Newswire.com) - All business owners face certain challenges, but women often have additional obstacles that their male counterparts are less likely to encounter.

But this doesn't mean women are less successful than men. In fact, statistics show that women are starting businesses at more than twice the rate of male-owned businesses. This shows that women are resourceful, and able to succeed no matter the circumstances.

Women often have life skills and natural abilities that are useful in business. Women tend to be great networkers, have inherent skills for negotiating and the ability to multi-task. Single mothers are often good at delegating and budgeting, skills they rely on to manage their families.

But all of that means nada if a woman can't get the startup funding she needs to launch her business. The following is a list of small business loan resources for women entrepreneurs.

• Accion USA is a private, nonprofit organization that offers small business loans up to $25,000 to business owners who may have trouble accessing commercial loans. They offer special programs for women- and minority-owned businesses.

• Angel Capital Association is a nonprofit alliance of nearly 200 angel organizations in the U.S. and Canada.

• Association for Enterprise Opportunity provides assistance with micro-loans, training, technical assistance, access to services and more. Works with small businesses employing five or fewer people, with startup needs of $35,000 or less.

• Count Me In For Women's Economic Independence is a nonprofit that offers access to loans for women business owners, as well as training scholarships for women seeking higher education.

• U.S. Small Business Administration offers many loan programs but does not offer funding itself. It serves as a guarantor of loans made by private and other institutions and can help a business owner attract venture capital. The SBA offers programs for women and minority business owners.

There are other programs as well, so do your homework. Figure out what would work best for you in your particular situation, and apply for the money. You'll never know if you don't try.