Promoting Women Owned Businesses

[greeneagle]

Promoting Women Owned Businesses

Two of my clients have businesses with women as the principle owners. Neither have chosen to play on the marketing advantages there.

In the US and in many other countries governmental agencies offer a helping hand to what they deem are “minority business” owners. In the US we find advantages at city, county, state and federal levels.

There are many women’s Business Organizations represented on-line. One good place to start if you are American is The US Government’s Small Business Association’s Women’s Business Center.

There are billions of dollars in contracts awarded through the “Small Disadvantaged Business” program, but you must become certified as a "SDB" to take advantage of the program. They have also set up a networking system to match women business owners with appropriate client agencies.

Another important certification agency is the “Women’s Business Enterprise National Council”. I haven’t done all my homework there yet, so make sure that any targeted government agencie's requirements are met simultaneously, when going that direction.

I also believe that if female business owners are honest here, we will find that some women prefer doing business with other business women, as opposed to men. In fact this is demonstrated to an extent by the saturation of Women Business Networking Sites and Internet Directories that list only women’s businesses. Hint: Many are high ranking and free to list with.

Running with that thought in mind, it would be good to hear from some of the women owned businesses that have engaged in target marketing along these lines. I would like to hear your thoughts on promoting Women Owned Businesses.

I also would like to turn this thread into a valuable resource for Women Business Owners that visit WPW, so please list resources you find valuable, including directories catering to women owned businesses as well.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Ken

[incrediblehelp]

Where are you ladies?

[A. Smith]

Ok, I don't want to seem political or anything, but I think that the US has stretched that minority thing a bit too much.

I am a woman, I own 2 businesses, and am involved in a 3rd. I fail to see why being a woman should give me some advantage. I know, I know, this is not going to be popular. But, really, what makes me a better business owner than a man, or another minority member? Why should I be given preference? Frankly, I think that it is unfair to those who are not a minority.

[Feydakin]

I agree with your stance Agnes.. But.. ..

My sister in law owns a very successful promotional company and agrees with you that it isn't very fair that she qualify for certain perks simply because of her gender.. But she also takes advantage of very single one of them because it's good for her business..

I think I need to point these out to her..

[scanmonkey]

Men have advantages too. We can take our clients to a go-go-rama for lunch to discuss Business.

[A. Smith]

Steve,
Maybe peace in the family is more important ;)?

Scanmonkey,
ROFL!!! It's ok, women have their own ways ;).

[Feydakin]

Peace?? My Family?? Thanks for the giggle :) When my dad and his wife set up their company they put her in as President/CEO and 60% shareholder and my dad as VP at 40% to get the company in to the woman owned category.. It just makes business sense to take advantage of every oportunity handed to you..

And I'm with scanmonkey.. Only we go fishing.. Heading up to Lake Michigan tomorrow with 4 other business owners to do some salmon fishing and talk business.. :)

[etechsupport]

Recent research shows that Women business owners contribute a large percentage in US economy and as well in other developed countires. If you take example at US itself America’s 9.1 million women-owned businesses employ 27.5 million people and contribute $3.6 trillion to the American economy. Its really encouraging.

I think women with enough savvy can appeal to any business and they can organize a business well and make good women business partners as well, they can bring good business lead by generating good referrals through their social contacts and networking.