Women entrepreneurs make up a growing share of U.S. small business owners. The American Express 2018 State of Women-Owned Businesses report, which makes its projections based on data from the most recent U.S. Census Bureau Survey of Business Owners, estimates that they own 12.3 million companies in the U.S. – compare that to 1972 when there were only 402,000 women-owned businesses.
Today, women employ more than 9.2 million people and generate $1.7 trillion in revenue. Last year, 1,821 women-owned businesses were launched every day.
During Women's History Month in March, the U.S. Small Business Administration salutes women entrepreneurs who take risks to pursue their passions and to whom setbacks are just steps to success. This month, we honor their spirit and determination, and every day we help them on their journeys. All small business owners need a helping hand once in a while, whether it’s advice, funding or encouragement from someone who has been there.
The SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership empowers female entrepreneurs through advocacy, outreach, education and support, as well as business training, access to capital, and marketing opportunities. Our network of 114 Women’s Business Centers provides training, coaching and mentoring to entrepreneurs in communities around the country.
In Fiscal Year 2017, WBCs supported more than 150,000 women, resulting in tremendous revenue and job growth for the businesses they serve.
The SBA’s Office of Government Contracting and Business Development tracks the federal government’s goal to award five percent of its contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses. We train entrepreneurs to evaluate their readiness for contracting, register as a contractor, navigate federal rules, and qualify through small business set-asides. A total of $20.8 billion in prime government contracts were awarded to women-owned small businesses in 2017 alone – supporting more than 115,000 jobs.
In Pennsylvania, Monica Gould started Strategic Consulting Partners 23 years ago in her Mechanicsburg home. SCP took on more strategic contracts after becoming a certified Women-Owned Small Business and an SBA 8(a) Business Development program participant, in addition to an SBA Express Loan. She is also a 2018 graduate of the SBA’s Emerging Leaders program. This resulted in an expansion of SCP’s Mechanicsburg headquarters and the opening of offices in Arlington and Crystal City, Va. Currently, SCP has 16 employees and anticipates further growth.
I am proud to be part of all that SBA does to promote women entrepreneurs like Monica. It is my goal to ensure women remain a vital part of our nation’s economic success. Kick off your small business success with a visit to www.sba.gov.
Rob Goza is Lead Economic Development Specialist/Public Information Officer in the Eastern Pennsylvania District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration.