35 Resources for Female Entrepreneurs

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Female entrepreneurship has spiked in the last decade. While the most recent U.S. government statistics are from 2007, women-owned (non-farm) businesses increased by over 20% from 2002 to 2007 according to the U.S. Census Survey of Business Owners, and now make up nearly 30% of all businesses.

Luckily, there are an enormous number of resources available to help female entrepreneurs succeed. Here are the top resources and websites by category. (See also: 6 Small Business Mentors You Can Access for Nearly Free!)

Brick and Mortar Resources

These organizations tend to be more of the traditional resource centers that you might think of when you imagine getting assistance with your business. Most have actual buildings you can visit, local chapters you can meet with, or numbers you can call to get help.

The Office of Women's Business Ownership

Part of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Office of Women's Business Ownership is the most reliable source for federal government grants for women and general information about starting a business.

American Business Women's Association

The American Business Women's Association offers networking events, mentoring opportunities, and more.

National Association of Women Business Owners

The National Association of Women Business Owners hosts an online resource center and can connect you with your local chapter.

U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce

The Women's Chamber of Commerce not only unifies some of the top women leaders in the U.S., but their site also offers great resources for women planning for retirement.

Collections of Resources

The following sites have their own extensive lists of articles, tool kits, and resources that are definitely worth checking out.

Entrepreneurship.org

You can find an annotated list of over 25 books and articles for women entrepreneurs at Entrepreneurship.org.

Create Worth

On offshoot of DailyWorth, Create Worth has an excellent selection of articles on starting your own business.

Ladies Who Launch

Ladies Who Launch features a killer list of free and paid tool.

Smith College

Smith College has a toolbox of resources for women college-age and up.

Women Entrepreneur

The women's section of Entrepreneur magazine, Women Entrepreneur has great articles for every type of female entrepreneur — from home-based businesses to startups.

Mompreneurs

Mompreneurs helps mom entrepreneurs with lists of books and resources on their message boards.

Women 2.0

Women 2.0 wants to help more women become founders of technology startups and has superb information to get your startup started.

Blogs

Blogs can serve as great resources and sources of inspiration for women entrepreneurs who are looking to break into the business world. This list can get you started — and please share more of your favorites in the comments.

• Alexis Neely
• Allison Nazarian
• Amy Porterfield
• Anti 9-5 Guide
• Balance in Me
• Connection Revolution
• Dissolve Procrastination
• Elizabeth Potts Weinstein
• Escape From Cubicle Nation
• Escaping Mediocrity
• Everyday Bright
• Femalepreneurs
• Laura Roeder
• Life After College
• Manisha Thakor
• Marie Forleo
• Respectfully Disobedient
• Rowdy Kittens
• Suitcase Entrepreneur
• Tara Gentile
• The Middle Finger Project
• The Traveling Writer
• When I Grow Up
• White Hot Truth

What's your top resource for starting a business?

This post is part of Women's Money Week 2012. For more great articles on Women's Entrepreneurship, check out WomensMoneyWeek.com.

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