On our own: NAWBO increases women business owners' wisdom and clout

Black Enterprise, July, 1995 by Rhonda Reynolds

Adding a different twist to the term "working woman" is the National Association of Women Business Owners, a women's small-business advocacy group in Silver Spring, Md. You often see members marching down Capitol Hill, rallying at the state chamber of commerce and sounding off at local chapter meetings.

The 21-year-old organization represents over 7 million women entrepreneurs--sole proprietors, partners and corporate owners. There are currently 52 NAWBO chapters in the U.S. The group also has representatives in 28 countries, primarily through its affiliation with Les Femmes Chefs d' Enterprises Mondiales (World Association of Women Entrepreneurs).

In addition to providing management workshops and educational seminars, NAWBO sponsors special interest groups that let members collaborate on projects in different areas, such as international trade. NAWBO also helps members form private partnerships. For instance, women seeking start-up and working capital as well as management advice can tap into NAWBO's angel network, which helps fledgling entrepreneurs find private investors--referred to as "angels."

Just how powerful is NAWBO? The group's major coup is the 1988 Women's Business Ownership Act. This federal mandate expanded access to credit markets for women entrepreneurs, instituted a three-year, $10 million training and technical support initiative and created a National Women's Business Council to provide long-term management support to women-owned businesses.

NAWBO's (301-608-2590) annual dues are $75 per year, plus an initial $25 registration fee. However, each local chapter charges an additional fee, sometimes as much as $125.