Women Business Conference
Women's Business Center
Helping entrepreneurs and small business owners start and grow successful businesses.

Women's Business Center

The Center for Rural Affairs Women’s Business Center provides free services to all Nebraskans to help entrepreneurs and small business owners start and grow successful businesses. Funds from the Small Business Administration and private donors secure our ability to work in communities across the state.

Man standing in front of classroom, with people sitting in chairs around a table
Training

Whether for a luncheon or classroom workshop, we offer business startup and management training across the state, year-round. We cover topics ranging from QuickBooks, and marketing, to business startup, and strategic planning. Click here for information.

Woman sitting at a table, networking
Networking

Our business specialists host regularly scheduled networking events in towns across the state. These events serve as a venue for local entrepreneurs and business owners to connect, share ideas, and learn more about new business management practices. Check out our events page for opportunities in your area.

Two women looking at papers behind a desk
Coaching

We offer personal, one-on-one business assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners across the state. Our business specialists and consultants can work with you virtually or in-person. To request an appointment, please email wbc@cfra.org  

Access on-demand business resources.

 

Additional Resources

Protect your small business against fraud. Learn more from the Small Business Administration.

Dreambuilder.org - Do you need help thinking through a business plan? This may be a good place to begin. Dreambuilder.org offers 13 sessions in a fun, interactive environment. Sessions average 1.5 hours. Sign up through the website and there is no fee. Available in English or Spanish.

Information for women in business - Small Business Administration provides resources to help women entrepreneurs launch your new businesses, grow your businesses, and compete in the global marketplace. With online resources, financing opportunities, and Women’s Business Centers, they are there to help you.

 

Women's Business Center Director

Jessica Campos Photo

Jessica Campos
Center for Rural Affairs
Women’s Business Center Director
402.870.1521
jessicac@cfra.org

Where are you located? Where do you serve?

The Center for Rural Affairs Women's Business Center's main office is in Grand Island at 3180 W Hwy 34, Rm 200. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments are encouraged as we are traveling often to meet you at your businesses. In addition, we offer service hours to accommodate women business owners and entrepreneurs' needs and work schedules.

We serve all areas in Nebraska except for the Omaha metro area. Vicky Espinoza and Brissa Borjas Esparza serve across the state.

Are there grants to help fund a for-profit business?

Generally not, but there are a few grants available for specific purposes. For example, there are grants for childcare operations, grants for upgrading energy efficient equipment, grants for manufacturing companies, and grants for commercialization of innovations. These grants have a specific audience and application process and they are not available for funding general business operating purposes. Even though, receiving grant money is money that a business owner doesn’t have to pay back, there is a cost for the business owner: Time. It takes time to prepare and apply for a competitive grant and there are reporting requirements from granting agencies that the small business owner must comply with if the grant is awarded.

The Small Business Innovation Research program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in federal research/research and development that has the potential for commercialization. Contact the Nebraska Business Development Center if you want to learn more about this program and if you want to check qualifications and processes to apply for this research grant.  Also, companies engaged in research and development may want to check grant matching programs available through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

Where can I get a loan or find resources to start or grow my small business?

The Center for Rural Affairs offers loans from $1,000 to $250,000. Access the loan application and information here.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has a number of programs to financially and technically assist developing small businesses. Visit your district office for more resources or questions. Click here to visit their website in Spanish.

The Department of Commerce also has programs to assist small businesses. Contact them at 202.482.2000.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has small business programs.

SCORE offers advice, training and mentoring.

 

Upcoming Events

Mar
18
Aprenda los conceptos básicos de cómo iniciar y administrar su restaurante, las ganancias y pérdidas, la importancia de los inventarios y la responsabilidad del código de salubridad.
  • Lending
Mar
19
Infórmese de cómo iniciar su propio negocio de limpieza asistiendo a esta capacitación. Aprenderá las mejores prácticas de la industria, incluyendo limpieza química, limpieza y mantenimiento de diferentes tipos de pisos (madera, mármol, loseta, etc.), limpieza y mantenimiento de alfombras, limpieza y mantenimiento de baños, presupuestos/cotizaciones y mucho más.
  • Lending
Mar
20
Send the right message about your business with the right marketing, advertising, and branding strategy. In this four week intense, but focused workshop series you will learn how to launch your brand beyond the limits of good enough.
  • Lending
Mar
20
Si deseas aprender como convertir tu idea en un negocio exitoso, no demores más. En esta capacitación interactiva aprenderás los fundamentos esenciales para iniciar y hacer crecer tu propio negocio sin importar si estas en la etapa inicial o quieras mejorar tu negocio existente. También aprenderás a cómo desarrollar un plan de negocios efectivo, estrategias de mercadotecnia y promoción, administración financiera y consejos prácticos de empresarios exitosos.
  • Lending
Apr
02
Are you planning to go into business and don’t know where to start? Planning is key to success, and these hands-on exploratory sessions are designed for those thinking of starting a business, businesses that need a boost, and business owners considering expansion. Sessions will cover important information to help you complete a business plan.
  • Lending
Apr
06
Forma parte del desarrollo de las mentes jóvenes; educación y cuidado infantil. Aprenderás las habilidades necesarias para obtener la licencia y todo lo que se requiere para iniciar tu propia guardería infantil. También, habrá una presentación sobre cuidados infantiles.
  • Lending
Apr
17
Learn about the exciting world of digital marketing for your business. You will have the opportunity to dive into facets of digital media and marketing including social, search engine optimization, email, targeting, and how you put it to work for your business in your area.
  • Lending
Apr
27
Acompaña a otras profesionales de la educación de la primera infancia a aprender, desarrollar y conocer a otros profesionales con la misma meta de mejorar la educación y cuidado de los niños en el estado.
  • Lending
Apr
30
Whether launching a startup, scaling a business, or navigating market disruptions, you can fine-tune your understanding of the financial side of business. Get equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to leverage financial projections and P&L analysis as powerful tools for driving sustainable growth and achieving long-term business success.
  • Lending

Small Business Administration


Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (click here to visit SBA's page in Spanish). SBA's Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) fosters participation of women entrepreneurs in the economy who have been historically underserved or excluded. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All SBA funded programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and/or persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) will be made if requested in advance.