Let’s Celebrate National Women’s Small Business Month!

I wanted to chat with you about something awesome – National Women’s Small Business Month! It’s a whole month dedicated to celebrating the incredible women who run their own businesses.

I am super excited about this month because it gives us an opportunity to recognize the hard work, dedication, and determination of women entrepreneurs like you! It’s a chance to honor the amazing contributions women make to the business world.

During National Women’s Small Business Month, we highlight the accomplishments of women who have taken the leap into entrepreneurship. We celebrate their unique ideas, innovative solutions, and the way they contribute to their communities.

This special month is all about empowering women like you to pursue your dreams, overcome challenges, and succeed in your business ventures. It’s about lifting each other up and creating a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.

So, how can we celebrate? Well, let’s start by acknowledging the accomplishments of women business owners. Let’s share their stories, inspire others, and encourage more women to join the entrepreneurial journey.

I believe that women have the power to change the world, and National Women’s Small Business Month is the perfect moment to showcase that power. Together, we can make a difference and show the world what women entrepreneurs are capable of.

So, let’s raise a toast to all the incredible women who have started their own businesses! Cheers to your success, your passion, and your ambition. Here’s to National Women’s Small Business Month!

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. I am here to support you every step of the way. Let’s celebrate your achievements and keep pushing forward. Together, we can make this month one to remember!

Happy National Women’s Small Business Month!

In honor of October being National Women’s Small Business Month, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the amazing achievements and obstacles faced by women in business.

As the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), I am proud to share with you a blog post written by me on our organization’s website. The blog post focuses on the incredible entrepreneurial spirit displayed by women, exemplified by the story of April Lukasik.

April Lukasik, a remarkable woman, started her own childcare center after the birth of her second child. It was her dream, and with the help of the SBA, that dream became a reality in 1997. The SBA provided her with the necessary financing to make her childcare center a success.

Fast forward to today, Lukasik now owns a total of four Bright Early Children’s Learning Centers. Her hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed, as she was just awarded the prestigious title of the 2018 Connecticut Small Business Person of the Year.

When I decided to start my own business, one of the biggest hurdles I faced was financing. It’s a challenge that many women like me encounter, as Lukasik mentioned in her blog. She pointed out that without the SBA, I wouldn’t have been able to build the business I have today.

Let me tell you, the SBA was a godsend. They were the only ones who were willing to lend me money despite my lack of experience and real estate capital. They took a chance on me and I’m forever grateful. It’s been twenty years since then, and I can’t express how thankful I am for the opportunity and the faith the SBA had in me.

Thanks to the resources provided by the SBA, my company now employs 70 full-time employees and serves our community with pride.

SBA Resources

In her blog, McMahon mentioned that celebrating this month is a great way to showcase the many resources the SBA offers women like me.

When I was researching about resources for female entrepreneurs, I came across three important ones that McMahon highlighted. One of them is the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership. This office is all about empowering women by providing support, education, advocacy, and outreach. They really want to see female entrepreneurs succeed!

Another great resource is the 68 district offices spread throughout the country. These offices offer a variety of services like business training, counseling, access to credit and capital, and even marketing opportunities. They are there to help women entrepreneurs every step of the way.

Lastly, there’s the Women’s Business Centers. This is a national network of 116 educational centers that focus on helping women start and grow their small businesses. The main goal of these centers is to make sure that women entrepreneurs have the same opportunities as everyone else, even though they may face unique challenges in the business world.

Let’s talk about government contracts for women-owned small businesses, which is one of the programs that provide assistance. In 2017, this program gave out a big chunk of money, a whopping $20.8 billion, in government contracts!

The cool thing is that the US government has set a goal to give women 5% of all federal contracting dollars. So they’re really trying to support women-owned businesses in a big way.

Now, I know that dealing with government contracts can be a real headache. It’s a complicated process. But don’t worry, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is here to help. They make it easier for women to qualify for those contracts by simplifying the whole thing. Phew!

Now, let’s dive into some interesting facts. Did you know that in January 2018, there were a whopping 12.3 million women-owned businesses in the US? That’s a whole lot! These businesses provided jobs for 9.2 million people and brought in a mind-blowing $1.8 trillion in revenue. That’s a lot of money, right?

Here’s something impressive: out of all the businesses out there, 58% of them are owned by women. That’s more than half! And these businesses also employ 21% of the workforce and generate a whopping 46% of all the revenues. Talk about girl power!

Between 2017 and 2018, I discovered something fascinating. Every single day, a whopping 1,821 new businesses owned by amazing women were added to the world.

Guess what? When it comes to women entrepreneurs, age is just a number. A remarkable 48% of these inspiring business owners are between 45 and 65 years old. And get this, a stunning 67% of them are over 45 years old. Age is truly no barrier for these incredible women. But wait, there’s more! The second largest group of women business owners, at 31%, are between 25 and 44 years old.

Now here’s something that surprised me. A staggering 88% of these women-owned businesses generate less than $100K in revenue. It just goes to show that these women are using their creativity and perseverance to turn their dreams into reality, even with limited resources.

But hey, let’s not forget the success stories. A small but mighty 5% of women-owned businesses make between $100,000 and $249,999. They are proof that hard work and determination can lead to impressive accomplishments.

And that’s not all. Ready for some more jaw-dropping stats? 2.4% of women-owned businesses rake in between $250K and $499,999. These women are taking the business world by storm and showing everyone what they’re capable of.

Wait, I have even more exciting news. 1.6% of women-owned businesses make a jaw-dropping sum of $500K to $999,999. These women are making their mark and proving that they can conquer any challenge that comes their way.

And finally, let’s not forget the cream of the crop. A brilliant 1.7% of women-owned businesses generate over $1 million. These women are breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings. They are true dreamers and achievers, inspiring us all to aim for the stars.