Women-owned businesses make up about 20% of all companies in the United States. At WBCUtah, we’re working to increase this number and put women on the map.
The Women’s Business Center of Utah is a non-profit organization that offers help and guidance for women with big ideas. Then, we want to help you turn those ideas into reality through advice, courses, and support.
Women-owned businesses employ over 9 million people and generate more than 1.7 trillion dollars in revenue. They are crucial to the American economy! But we know that sometimes you might need a little assistance.
Have a concept, a plan, or an existing business? Then, keep reading to learn all about what the Women’s Business Center of Utah can do for you!
How the Women’s Business Center Can Help You
Our core values create the basis for our advocacy for women in Utah. We’re committed to equity, compassion, and trust. Every woman deserves the right to entrepreneurship and fair treatment.
WBCUtah believes in providing aid without judgment but with openness and kindness. We maintain trust through loyalty and transparency in every step.
The Women’s Business Center also promotes collaboration and celebrating others’ successes! Teamwork and shared goals are crucial aspects of our collective prosperity. So we take celebrating success, big or small, seriously.
The fundamental goal of WBCUtah is to create opportunities for women to achieve success. We do this by providing several services for business owners.
Utah Women-Owned Business Directory
As the only women-owned small business directory in Utah, we proudly welcome all women! The Utah Women-Owned Business Directory was created to share, invest in, and mentor female entrepreneurs.
Businesses in all categories, from construction to retail to health care, have a spot on the list. It’s a one-stop-shop for all women-owned ventures in Utah. Want to find a women-owned gym? Coffee shop or restaurant? Need to hire an accountant? We’ve got it all!
Customers and clients can quickly locate what they want by browsing the listings. One of the first difficulties when starting a small business can be spreading the word. That’s why this is a powerful form of advertising for your products or services!
Educational Events
A key aspect of making a small business work is creating a community. You’ll find our calendar full of exciting, educational monthly events.
By joining the community, you’ll have access to events that cover:
- Networking and community building
- Breaking down financial aspects
- Resolving employment issues
- Market research
- Managing your business
And so much more! Learning from other women and sharing your knowledge is the most enjoyable part of the women-owned business community.
Advising and Training
Need to build some skills before you set off to conquer the world? We’ve all been there! WBCUtah offers workshops, courses, and training on every possible aspect of business ownership.
We’ll help you build the confidence to run your business smoothly. Combine these learning opportunities with free one-on-one business advising sessions. Our seasoned advisors excel in many different business sectors.
Online Courses and Webinars
Can’t make it to WBCUtah’s in-person events? No problem! We have an impressive digital learning library for you to browse. You’ll find pre-recorded training videos on numerous topics, including finances, marketing, and even Covid-19.
Beyond that, you’ll be able to join various online courses taught by professional women. If you need to know the basics of creating a business plan or developing a growth model, we’ve got you covered.
Paperwork can be a confusing aspect of owning a business. We equip women entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed. Business plan templates, cash flow worksheets, and whatever else you want to organize your company.
Microloans
It’s nearly impossible to start a business without money. Not fully impossible, mind you, but cash flow does help. That’s why WBCUtah has partnered with Kiva to help business owners reach their goals.
Kiva is a crowd-funding platform that provides microloans to entrepreneurs. Microloans are typically smaller amounts of money (up to $15,000) lent at 0% interest. You can use your microloan to pay for anything from equipment to office space.
Unlike bank loans that judge you based on credit, Kiva microloans only look at your business plan. With over 1.5 million lenders in the Kiva community, a solid business plan will result in the funds you need!
Covid-19 Support
Times are tough for small businesses these days. Covid-19 has resulted in shutdowns, shorter hours, and less in-person spending. But, if you’re struggling to maintain or get your business off the ground, we can help.
WBCUtah offers counseling sessions to provide guidance during this difficult time. You’ll also find special zoom training to guide you through Covid relief plans. Looking for further research? We’ve got a list of helpful resources about everything from loans to new business regulations.
Who Can Apply?
If you want to be a part of this amazing community of Utah women working to make their dreams come true, you need to apply. First, your listing must be approved to make sure we’re supporting a 100% women-owned business.
We approve listings for fully or partly women-owned companies. The owner must control several factors such as the mission, decisions, and products or services. Learn more about eligibility here.
How to Apply
Applying is easy through the Utah Women-Owned Business Directory website. It only requires some information from you and up to 24 hours verification time from us.
We’ll need your info, your company details, and social media links. You’ll then choose your membership package based on your location. And done, your business will be featured in our entirely women-owned business directory!
Support Utah Women-Owned Businesses
The popularity of women-owned or minority-owned businesses is rising! The hashtag #womenownedbusiness has over 2,322,739 on Instagram and more than 40 million views on TikTok. In addition, news stories about popular women-owned or female-founded companies pop up every day.
By joining the Utah Women-Owned Business Directory, you’ll be part of this growing community! While you’re there, take advantage of everything the Women’s Business Center of Utah has to offer. Join now to get started!