Comments on: New Business Owners – What Makes a Niche Good? http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/ Colorado Womens Network Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:08:29 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Unbreakable http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/comment-page-1/#comment-503 Unbreakable Sat, 08 Dec 2007 02:40:52 +0000 http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/#comment-503 None different than men. It's a business entity and doesn't know gender. Women owners may handle certain aspects slightly differently but the overall business concerns and goals remain the same: Maximize profit and margins, minimize expenses. None different than men. It's a business entity and doesn't know gender. Women owners may handle certain aspects slightly differently but the overall business concerns and goals remain the same: Maximize profit and margins, minimize expenses.

]]> By: ducati4882 http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/comment-page-1/#comment-506 ducati4882 Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:23:02 +0000 http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/#comment-506 You need to speak with the local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). If you can't find them, contact the Small Business Development Center, and they can tell you how. PTAC helps small companies find government contracts. You need to speak with the local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). If you can't find them, contact the Small Business Development Center, and they can tell you how. PTAC helps small companies find government contracts.

]]> By: Queen of HB http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/comment-page-1/#comment-504 Queen of HB Fri, 07 Dec 2007 07:21:24 +0000 http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/#comment-504 take your business plan to the small business administration!!! take your business plan to the small business administration!!!

]]> By: Potential Business Owner http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/comment-page-1/#comment-505 Potential Business Owner Fri, 07 Dec 2007 03:29:01 +0000 http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/#comment-505 Check out the SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) which deals with women business owners http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/onlinewbc/index.html There are special loan packages for women owned businesses, free training, certification programs that would allow you to compete better in government procurement process Contact the SBA's women representatives in your state http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_program_office/wbc_women's_bus_reps.pdf Check out the SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) which deals with women business owners http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/onlinewbc/index.html

There are special loan packages for women owned businesses, free training, certification programs that would allow you to compete better in government procurement process

Contact the SBA's women representatives in your state
http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_program_office/wbc_women's_bus_reps.pdf

]]> By: realityJ http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/comment-page-1/#comment-501 realityJ Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:59:54 +0000 http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/#comment-501 The federal government (through the SBA) has specialty loan programs that aim to help women open or grow businesses. But the best options for you are probably at the state level, where loans of as much as $50,000 are often available to female-owned companies. (Be careful with the word "grant," by the way, because this money rarely comes without a requirement for collateral or a need to pay it back. So it's a loan, not a gift.) There's a pretty good list of programs at http://www.business.gov/start/woman-owned/ that could provide a place to start. Beyond that, I'm a big fan of the National Association of Women's Business Owners, which has a ton of information on its site: http://nawbo.org/. I'd also recommend finding the NAWBO chapter near you so that you can begin the networking process that many entrepreneurs find so helpful. Lastly, regardless of gender, Inc. Magazine has compiled a good resource for general capital-raising ideas here: http://www.inc.com/guides/finance/20797.html Good luck with your start-up. The federal government (through the SBA) has specialty loan programs that aim to help women open or grow businesses. But the best options for you are probably at the state level, where loans of as much as $50,000 are often available to female-owned companies. (Be careful with the word "grant," by the way, because this money rarely comes without a requirement for collateral or a need to pay it back. So it's a loan, not a gift.) There's a pretty good list of programs at http://www.business.gov/start/woman-owned/ that could provide a place to start.

Beyond that, I'm a big fan of the National Association of Women's Business Owners, which has a ton of information on its site: http://nawbo.org/. I'd also recommend finding the NAWBO chapter near you so that you can begin the networking process that many entrepreneurs find so helpful.

Lastly, regardless of gender, Inc. Magazine has compiled a good resource for general capital-raising ideas here: http://www.inc.com/guides/finance/20797.html

Good luck with your start-up.

]]> By: Sweety http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/comment-page-1/#comment-502 Sweety Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:25:16 +0000 http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/#comment-502 very little if any grantsfor starting a new business, no matter who you are very little if any grantsfor starting a new business, no matter who you are

]]> By: Donna P http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/comment-page-1/#comment-500 Donna P Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:03:54 +0000 http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/#comment-500 It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born. Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture. Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business. Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html... "The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments." Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE. http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs. It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK – lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.

Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov – these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants — all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same – hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html...

"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."

Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business — THERE'S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show

Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT – Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs

For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.

]]> By: hsh1975 http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/comment-page-1/#comment-498 hsh1975 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:06:49 +0000 http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/#comment-498 Try a local chapter of NAWBO, my mom's a member and they are awesome people. It is a truly wonderful networking community where women biz owners support each other. Try this: http://www.nawbo.org/ Try a local chapter of NAWBO, my mom's a member and they are awesome people. It is a truly wonderful networking community where women biz owners support each other.

Try this: http://www.nawbo.org/

]]> By: tinamoney68 http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/comment-page-1/#comment-499 tinamoney68 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:26:06 +0000 http://www.coloradowomensnetwork.org/2007/12/new-business-owners-what-makes-a-niche-good/#comment-499 It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born. Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture. Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business. Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html... "The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments." Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE. http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show Below is a list of grants available to WOMEN - none of them are for starting a business 10.443 USDA Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers 10.550 USDA Food Donation 10.557 USDA Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children 10.565 USDA Commodity Supplemental Food Program 10.572 USDA WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) 16.736 DOJ Transitional Housing Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence, Stalking, or Sexual Assault 17.301 DOL Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action by Federal Contractors and Federally Assisted Construction Contractors 17.700 DOL Women's Bureau 20.905 DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprises_Short Term Lending Program 30.001 EEOC Employment Discrimination_Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 30.002 EEOC Employment Discrimination_State and Local Fair Employment Practices Agency Contracts 59.043 SBA Women's Business Ownership Assistance 59.046 SBA Microloan Program 64.011 VA Veterans Dental Care 84.334 ED Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs 93.110 HHS Maternal and Child Health Federal Consolidated Programs 93.235 HHS Abstinence Education Program 93.290 HHS National Community Centers of Excellence in Women's Health 93.591 HHS Family Violence Prevention and Services/Grants For Battered Women's Shelters_Grants to State Domestic Violence Coalitions 93.919 HHS Cooperative Agreements for State-Based Comprehensive Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programs 93.926 HHS Healthy Start Initiative 93.994 HHS Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to the States 93.995 HHS Adolescent Family Life_Demonstration Projects 96.001 SSA Social Security_Disability Insurance 96.002 SSA Social Security_Retirement Insurance 96.004 SSA Social Security_Survivors Insurance Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs. http://www.cfda.gov http://www.grants.gov http://gtionline.fdncenter.org http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK – lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.

Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov – these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants — all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same – hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html...

"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."

Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business — THERE'S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show

Below is a list of grants available to WOMEN – none of them are for starting a business

10.443 USDA Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
10.550 USDA Food Donation
10.557 USDA Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
10.565 USDA Commodity Supplemental Food Program
10.572 USDA WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
16.736 DOJ Transitional Housing Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence, Stalking, or Sexual Assault
17.301 DOL Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action by Federal Contractors and Federally Assisted Construction Contractors
17.700 DOL Women's Bureau
20.905 DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprises_Short Term Lending Program
30.001 EEOC Employment Discrimination_Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
30.002 EEOC Employment Discrimination_State and Local Fair Employment Practices Agency Contracts
59.043 SBA Women's Business Ownership Assistance
59.046 SBA Microloan Program
64.011 VA Veterans Dental Care
84.334 ED Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
93.110 HHS Maternal and Child Health Federal Consolidated Programs
93.235 HHS Abstinence Education Program
93.290 HHS National Community Centers of Excellence in Women's Health
93.591 HHS Family Violence Prevention and Services/Grants For Battered Women's Shelters_Grants to State Domestic Violence Coalitions
93.919 HHS Cooperative Agreements for State-Based Comprehensive Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programs
93.926 HHS Healthy Start Initiative
93.994 HHS Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to the States
93.995 HHS Adolescent Family Life_Demonstration Projects
96.001 SSA Social Security_Disability Insurance
96.002 SSA Social Security_Retirement Insurance
96.004 SSA Social Security_Survivors Insurance

Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT – Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs

For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.

http://www.cfda.gov
http://www.grants.gov
http://gtionline.fdncenter.org
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm
http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html

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