A growing number of women are seeking professional guidance from expert business mentors; mentorship and networking are key to success.
According to a study by SCORE, the resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, women-owned businesses in the country have increased by 21% over the past five years. This growth is fueling interest among founders in training opportunities, networking, and mentorship for small businesses to support their success.
This growth is reflected in the increasing number of women seeking guidance for their business ventures. 64% of SCORE’s clients are women, up from 60% two years ago.
“With 10,000 volunteer mentors and over 200 chapters across the U.S., SCORE offers women small business owners many opportunities to connect with expert advice tailored to their unique needs. Whether it’s guidance from an experienced SCORE mentor, relevant networking opportunities, or helpful resources,” explains Bridget Weston, CEO of SCORE.
Networking Opportunities
A recent SCORE conference in Bucks County, “Women Building Businesses,” drew over 200 attendees and featured speakers specializing in everything from social media consulting to labor law. “Our goal for this conference was to provide practical and useful information to our women entrepreneurs. And I think all the speakers delivered what we asked for,” said Linda Zangrilli, president of the SCORE Bucks County chapter.
SCORE Westchester hosted a Women’s Small Business Symposium in September, which brought together over 100 attendees to focus on the theme “Beating the Odds.” Speakers included executives and business owners, credit officers, grant experts, and business tool demonstrators, designed to help women entrepreneurs tackle small business challenges.
Mentorship for Women-Owned Businesses
Entrepreneurs who work with a mentor are five times more likely to start a business and report higher revenues and greater business growth. SCORE client Juanny Romero, owner of Mothership Coffee Roasters in Henderson, Nevada, worked with an expert business mentor and recommends other entrepreneurs do the same. “Embrace mentorship, and you’ll find that the guidance you receive can be a game-changer in your entrepreneurial journey,” said Romero.
SCORE offers free and confidential business mentoring along with resources and tools created especially for women entrepreneurs. SCORE mentors, many of them successful women small business owners, are ready to help other entrepreneurs achieve their business goals. For more information, visit SCORE’s Resources for Women Entrepreneurs.
Image: DiarioNY
