REAP Women's Business Center
2012 Basic Guide to Exporting Webinar Series runs Jan – Aug 2012 for a cost of $15.
The Commerce Department’s Trade Information Center is offering a series of one-hour webinars on the basics of exporting. Subjects include how to write an export plan, how to ship goods to international buyers, how to classify products under the harmonized system, and how to estimate the full cost to the buyer of delivering your products to a foreign destination. The first program is Jan 18 on “How to Write and Export Plan.” Find out more here.
SBA's new CAPLines program gives small businesses flexibility to finance the contracts, subcontracts, and purchase orders they compete for and win. By addressing short-term and cyclical working capital needs of small businesses, the revolving line of credit will help small businesses manage their cash cycle, scale up and create jobs. Contact an SBA office near you and ask for a Lender Relations Specialist to learn more.
Central Contractor Registration for Woman-Owned Businesses
REAP WBC encourages women entrepreneurs to register on the official, FREE online CCR database for the U.S. Federal Government. It's important for women-owned businesses interested in applying for federal contracts!
The WBC’s SBA Resource Partner, SCORE, is offering FREE Thursday Webinars on Social Media. Join them thru Sep. 1 from 12-1 CT and learn new ways to grow your business. (Previous webinars are archived online, so no worries if you miss one.)
SCORE describes the webinars this way: Social media marketing is a lot more than a Facebook page and a few Tweets. It's about understanding all of the available tools; knowing which ones to use and how to use them; understanding mobile marketing, search engine optimization, segmenting, and day parting to achieve higher conversion rates. It's about in-game advertising, virtual worlds, and video marketing. It's more than you ever thought, but it can be easier to understand than you imagined.
Affordable Care Act Helps Women Stay Healthy: New guidelines will ensure women receive preventive health services at no additional cost. New health insurance plans after Aug. 1, 2012 will cover women’s preventive services without cost sharing. Read the White House Blog Post here.
Women's Procurement Program
The Association of Women Business Centers is celebrating the significance of the final rule to implement the Women's Procurement Program. The new law will allow women business owners to receive 5% of federal procurement dollars if the procurement falls within one of the 83 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes in which women are under-represented.
This is a significant development for women entrepreneurs. Increased federal contracting opportunities will give Women's Business Center clients a chance to significantly grow their businesses.
Woman-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program
The Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program is aimed at expanding federal contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses (WOSBs). You can find links to information about the program, a fact sheet, frequently asked questions, and a power point explaining the program (under Getting Started), all here on the SBA website.
Commonly asked questions about women in business.
Q. Are there grants to help fund a for-profit business?
Answer: Generally funding organizations do not provide grants to help fund a for-profit business, however several agencies including the Small Business Administration have low interest loan programs. Of the few grants that may provide funding to for-profit businesses they are for a very specific purpose and not for general business operating purposes. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) recommend that time generally would be better spent in working on improvements to your business rather than investing time in applying, performing the work required and reporting on the use of grant funds.
There is a federal grant program for small businesses titled the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. It is reserved for companies doing research and development and not intended to fund the operations of a company. Many states have programs that provide assistance in applying for SBIR grants.
Q.Where can I obtain a loan to help start or grow my small business?
Answer: The Center for Rural Affairs Rural Enterprise Assistance Program (REAP) has loan funds from $1000-$50,000. Access the loan application and information. The Small Business Administration has a number of programs to financially and technically assist developing small businesses. The SBA may be reached by phone at 202.205.6600, or toll-free at 1.800.UASKSBA. The Department of Commerce also has programs to assist small businesses. They may be contacted by phone at 202.482.2000.
Helpful Links
Start Up Nation - "A website for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs." The site features success stories, step-by=step advice, tips, newsletters, blogs, forums, etc.
Small Business and Self-Employed IRS Resource Website - Links to major business subjects, such as Business Expenses. Lists information by business topics, or by business type such as sole proprietor, corporation, etc.
HUD Small and Disadvantaged Business Resource Guide - Great Resource for Small Businesses - Links to agencies helpful to business development.
Doing business with the government - If you intend to buy from, sell to, or do business with the State of Nebraska you need to register with the State Procurement Office.
Register your business with the Nebraska Secretary of State. Downloads available; fillable forms. Download packet of material for new Nebraska businesses.
How to Protect your Idea - Contact the Patent & Trademark Office.
US Small Business Administration
SCORE - Senior Corps of Retired Executives
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA's Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) fosters participation of women entrepreneurs in the economy who have been historically under-served or excluded. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
