SBA launches online portal for women entrepreneurs

Female entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business now have a new planning tool?MY BIZ for Women, an online resource from the Small Business Administration that provides business information and assistance just for women.

The Web site is designed to be a first stop for women business owners, and will provide information on starting and growing a small business and gaining access to capital and contracting opportunities. It also includes links to other government agencies and SBA resource partners that offer business counseling, as well as a state-by-state listing of SBA's Women's Business Centers, among other resource information.

MY BIZ for Women was announced this week at a White House event honoring Tami Longaberger, chairwoman of National Women's Business Council.

The portal also will offer insights into the business world from monthly guest columnists who will share their experience and unique perspectives. Women also can subscribe to the Women's Perspective, a free SBA newsletter for women in business.

"Women-owned small businesses in the United States are rapidly growing; [women] are starting businesses at twice the rate of all businesses," said SBA administrator Hector V. Barreto.

"The SBA is committed to helping women entrepreneurs obtain access to information and opportunities that will allow them to break down economic development barriers, which will allow them to start and grow their small business," he said.