Women Owned Small Business Podcast

Women owned businesses are growing at an above average rate, but they have a long way to go. If you are a woman considering starting your own business  in New Jersey, or any other state, you might want to listen to this Small Business Administration podcast.

Here are some highlights:

Ron Johnson: Ana, I’m sure our audience has many questions. And I’ll start with what steps should a woman first take when starting a business?

Ana Harvey: Well, that’s easy. She should do her homework first. That is, she needs to have a road map that would take her where she wants to go. And, of course, I’m talking about the business plan. You know, the process of developing the business plan forces you to think very carefully about your target market and how you’re going to reach it. And it forces you to think about your goals and the money you need, where it is going to come from and where is it going to go. When a lender sees that you have really done your homework, you have a plan to start or grow your business, you’re far more likely to get that loan, that line of credit that you need. Without a business plan, getting a loan is almost impossible. Without a business plan, growing that business is a lot more difficult.

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Ron Johnson: Many young women may be interested in starting their own small businesses. So, what kinds of resources does SBA offer to support their small business goals?

Ana Harvey: Well, they can start by visiting our Website at the SBA Develop with Junior Achievement. It has a great name and it is easy to remember. It is mindyourownbiz.org. And there are several more youth-oriented Websites at www.sba.gov. You just have to click on Services, then go to Special Audiences, and then Young Entrepreneurs. And also, some of our Women’s Business Centers even have training specifically geared to young women. But any center would be more than happy to help them

Women’s Business Ownership: Starting, Financing and Growing the Right Way
Featuring Ron Johnson & Ana Harvey, Assistant Administrator of SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership

Nearly 104 million businesses are majority owned by women. They provide 12 million jobs and generate more than a trillion dollars in sales. This discussion provides guidance for women in how to get off to the right start in building, financing and growing their small businesses.
( Transcript )