This is an exciting time to be a woman business owner! Women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men and staying in business longer. Based on current calculations using the latest data (2007) from the Center for Women's Business Research (CWBR), "Nearly 10.4 million firms are 50% or more owned by women, employing more than 12.8 million people and generating $1.9 trillion in sales."
Accordingly to the CWBR, "one in 11 adult women is an entrepreneur."
The U.S. Small Business Administration is doing more than ever to help level the playing field for women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in the world of business. The SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) is leading the way and provides funding to over 100 women's business centers (WBCs) throughout the country.
OWBO helps women achieve their dreams and improve their communities by helping them start and run successful businesses, regardless of social or financial disadvantage, race, ethnicity or business background. OWBO and the Women's Business Center Program are integral components of Entrepreneurial Development's network of training and counseling services. Learn more at http://www.sba.gov/women.
In 2000, the Women's Business Center of Northern Virginia became the first WBC to be funded by the SBA in the Commonwealth of Virginia. There is now a second WBC in Richmond. The next closest Centers are in Washington, DC, Baltimore, Maryland and Beckley, West Virginia.
Our parent company, the Community Business Partnership is a collaborative effort among several key organizations in Fairfax County to provide high quality, professional small business services. Created through a local initiative of the Small Business Commission and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, its programs target individuals interested in starting or in expanding an existing small business. Many of our clients are simply looking to better organize, plan and manage their businesses within a rapidly evolving economy.
CBP program initiatives include:
The Women's Business Center of Northern Virginia (WBC)
The South Fairfax Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The Business Finance Center (BFC)
The Business Incubation Center (BIC)
Fairfax County Office for Women
The Office For Women is an agency of Fairfax County government committed to removing barriers to women and girls in the County so that they are better able to contribute to and benefit from the community. We work to change policies, develop community programs and provide information and resources for County residents and employees. Some of the areas where we can offer information or support include starting or growing a business, career management, access to the legal system, divorce and separation, girls and technology, violence against women, women and diversity, and women in crisis. We work closely with Commission For Women, an advisory group whose volunteer members are appointed by and advise the Board of Supervisors. In addition to the above, the Women's Business Center has working partnerships with the Fairfax County Office For Children, the Fairfax County Department of Purchasing and Supply Management.
The Mason Enterprise Center The Mason Enterprise Center for Regional Analysis and Entrepreneurship aims to incorporate the ideas of innovation and entrepreneurship into the economy and society of the region. To accomplish this task, the center is focusing the energy, skills and intellectual capital of George Mason University on enterprise creation, expansion and restructuring. The Mason Enterprise Center
SBA Disclaimer
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed on this web site are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Please contact Pauline Leitch, Director of the Women's Business Center of Northern VA, 7001 Loisdale Road, Suite C, Springfield, VA 22150, 703-768-1440 to make arrangements or if you have questions.
Our parent company, the 
The Office For Women is an agency of Fairfax County government committed to removing barriers to women and girls in the County so that they are better able to contribute to and benefit from the community. We work to change policies, develop community programs and provide information and resources for County residents and employees. Some of the areas where we can offer information or support include starting or growing a business, career management, access to the legal system, divorce and separation, girls and technology, violence against women, women and diversity, and women in crisis. We work closely with Commission For Women, an advisory group whose volunteer members are appointed by and advise the Board of Supervisors. In addition to the above, the Women's Business Center has working partnerships with the Fairfax County Office For Children, the Fairfax County Department of Purchasing and Supply Management..jpg)
