VE UNGHOVC UID eee te ss News. ne 1M Inlerhome 4 +903 (100A ay, a 313 2% nessIm Wet a rts x 44 1977 MAaXRILOID 194A + N tes a uf 14% Marsh =r Ss The New Entrepreneurs (NAPSA)—When it comes to running businesses, women work. According to the Center for Women’s iness Research, the number of women-owned firms increased at twice the rate ofall firms between 1997 and 2002. In fact, research shows womenowned businesses account for more than one-third of U.S. firms, with their number expected to reach over six million by 2008. While the largest share of women-owned businesses remains in the service sector (including business services, engineering services and professionals such as doctors, lawyers and accountants) female entrepreneurs are also moving into nontraditional industries. The greatest growth in the number of women-owned businesses have comein the areas of construction, agricultural ser- vices, transportation, communica- tions, finance and realestate. While there are no free lunches for women or men in the business world, there are a numberof ser- vices geared specifically toward helping women-owned businesses succeed: Contractors and Contracts— Women whoare certified as “female entrepreneurs” can receive preferential treatment from contractors (learn more at the Small iness Administration Web site). In addition, the state Office of Women’s iness Ownership has information women entrepre- neurs can use to obtain special —— Women entrepreneurs now account for over one third of American business owners. status when competingfor govern- ment contracts. Technology—The Women iness Owners portal provided by IBM (www.ibm.com/smallbusi ness/women) provides access to special offers and business resources from the company and other organizations focused on women business owners. The site includes information on business solutions, success stories, advice from women andlinksto national organizations such as the Women Presidents’ Organization and the Center for Women’s iness Research. Loans—The Small iness Administration offers guaranteed loans through the Loan Prequalification Program, SBAExpress, the Microloan Program and others. Women can use the programs to invest less of their own money than a banktypically demands.
