Resources to Find Small Business Loans For Women

Women are a huge part of today's small business. Universities are seeing a huge increase in enrollment by women in finance and business administration programs. So, it should be no surprise that 28 percent of all small businesses are owned by women, and fully 55 percent of all new startup businesses are owned by women.

Just like any other business, being properly capitalized is critical for women-owned businesses. Luckily, many banks specifically offer small business loans for women. Thanks to government programs, in many cases, a business that is majority-owned by a woman can qualify for a loan that a comparable business owned by a man would not have a chance to get.

The effects of this are obvious: according to SCORE, between 1997 and 2002, women-owned firms grew by 19.8 percent while all U.S. firms grew by seven percent. During the same time, the number of jobs created by women-owned businesses grew by 150% of the national average!

Of course, one common characteristic shared by all businesses is the high risk of failure. One of the most common causes for new businesses to fail is not having enough capital. Raising funds can be tough, especially for a new, not-yet-proven, business venture. However, given the obvious demographic shift, and support of many government programs, lenders are typically very willing to accommodate female business owners.

The number one thing that any female entrepreneur can do when looking for capital, is go to her bank and ask her lender if the bank offers any specially designed small business loans for women. Many times, these programs will have special characteristics that cater to the special needs of a woman-owned business.

Some resources that might be useful:

• The Women's Funding Network - womensfundingnetwork.org - Women's Funding Network is more than 150 organizations that fund women's solutions across the globe, making us one of the largest collaborative philanthropic networks in the world. Our members are women's foundations that span public charities, private foundations and funds within community foundations.
• Small Business Administration, Office of Women's Business Ownership - sba.gov/womeninbusiness - Helps women with startup loans and loans for expansion of existing businesses.
• Financial Women International - fwi.org - This is a clearinghouse for information related to female entrepreneurs.

There are plenty of opportunities out there for female entrepreneurs to secure funding for their startup business. Just beware of scams! There are many sites out there that are specifically designed to take advantage of people looking for help. The number one thing to keep in mind is, if they initiate contact with you, you probably shouldn't give them any information until you've checked them out. And remember, if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is!

Steve Hansen is a serial entrepreneur who has had businesses succeed because of solid planning, and business fail because of inadequate capitalization. He would like to see other businesses started with a solid foundation to help make the world a better place. Find out about startup loans for small businesses. You can still get business startup loans in today's economy. ________ Brand your business in 2010! The Brand Unearthing Phase for Networkers, Coaches, Trainers, Solopreneurs, Consultants, Representatives, and other women entrepreneurs and small business owners is available through the Unearth Your Brand Excellence Workbook & E-Course Program. Unearth Your Brand Excellence is a powerful preparatory course to building a brand foundation for your business to set yourself apart from other businesses who seemingly offer the same products and services. In addition, the program is specifically designed to give you the tools to effectively communicate your unique brand promise. Are you ready for brand excellence? More information and updated website coming soon at www.lisahromada.com/

Personal Branding For Success Seekers

Personal branding describes the process by which an individual and his/her business are marked as a brand. It can be said that the concept of personal branding is based on the success that comes from packaging ones self; it often involves using the name of one individual on various products, services and programs. Personal branding not only relates to the development and achievement of your professional goals, but also your personal goals. It relates to the unique attributes and benefits that you bring each day to everything that you do and to everyone to whom you communicate.

I believe that an important contributor to the success that comes from discovering and leveraging your personal brand is the confidence and comfort of knowing who you are and what your values are. For me, knowing my personal brand helps me to eliminate anything in my life that is not in alignment with who I am. It makes life much easier.

It seems that as children we are learning lessons and transforming our behaviors to please adults; we are learning right from wrong and what pleases and displeases people. As adolescents we strive to fit in - be in the cool crowd, be the funny one, be the smart one, be the athletic one, be the cute (or handsome one), be the ambitious one, the daredevil, the teacher's pet, the musician, the quirky offbeat, and the list goes on. As adolescents, aren't we learning who we are as we compare ourselves with friends, family, neighbors, and those we may admire and envy because we think that someone else has an admirable quality that we don't?

So, let me ask you, what makes you extraordinary? Once you know your personal brand, the rest of the things in life seem to fall into place. Relationships tend to be better, clients are happier, the people with whom you meet are more in line with who you are, and somehow success and abundance is attracted to you.

When I began to discover my personal brand, I noticed that I not only began to feel more at peace, but I also found more opportunities for personal and professional growth. Like many personal brand seekers and achievers, I am continually discovering ways to express myself, have more fun, attract more clients with whom I enjoy working, increase profits, and think more creatively on my personal and professional projects. The transformation that happens when going through different steps in personal branding seems magical at times. Those who have discovered or are beginning to discover their personal brand know what I am talking about. You live more in abundance; you feel freer, lighter, more content, and empowered.

So, let me ask you again, what makes you extraordinary?

Personal Brand Strategist & Designer and creator of the Brand Essentials Home Study Workbook & Guide, Lisa Hromada, provides practical and powerful guidance for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to create strong and memorable brands.

Lisa Hromada offers graphic design and brand development products & services geared toward providing a step-by-step process for designing and marketing your business, so that individuals stand out from the crowd and attract more of your ideal clients.

You can learn more about Lisa Hromada and read more articles on branding and marketing your business at http://www.lisahromada.com

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