Women in Business & Loan Opportunities

Women in Business &
Loan Opportunities

Coastal Carolina Community
College – Jacksonville, NC

Small Business Center

Contact: Diana Reyes

Assistant to the Director

910-938-6322

Email:
reyesd@coastalcarolina.edu

I just took this class
earlier this month and learned so much not to mention met some
interesting women. As women combine forces we will continue to
dominate the small business world. With that being said I wanted to
pass along some of the information I got.

SBA – U.S. Small Business
Administration

800-827-5722 or 704-344-6563

www.sba.gov
and/ or www.sba.gov/nc

97% of U.S. Businesses are
“small businesses” this is what keeps our country rolling. Us..

1-18 women are business
owners

Women are taking on more and
more jobs that are considered “a man’s job” and kicking butt! The
SBA is there to help offering free counseling, training and access to
funds. $$. Let me stop right there with the word funds. I just knew
that coming to this class I was going to find the loop holes and free
money.

Well Ms. April Gonzalez our
instructor gave us all the free money and it was directly from the
Federal Reserve, shredded!  Yes, there is no free money. Basically
what they do is back loans for you, but only up to 80%, you will be
fully responsible for repaying this money. But before you can even
think about asking for a loan, a sound business plan must be polished
and submitted to a lender of your choice. I will get you more
information on writing a  business plan. Be patient.

Back to April Gonzalez the
instructor. She is a Women Business Development Specialist out of
Charlotte, NC  she brought a whole lot of energy and humor to our
class. But one thing she made clear was her willingness to help. Let
me give you her info., too.

April Gonzalez
P: 704-334-6811
Email:
april.gonzalez@sba.gov

There are three Women’s
Business Centers in North Carolina, April Gonzalez is the head of
this department. Let me pass this on to you..

Asheville – 828-253-2834
Durham – 919-956-8889
Fayetteville –
910-323-3377

You can also go the the
Women’s Business Centers’ website www.onlinewbc.gov

There are many different
resources for starting your own business as well as partners to SBA.
Here’s a few useful numbers:

SBTDC-
Wilmington 910-962-3744
SCORE-
Wilmington 910-452-5395
NC Military Business
Center 910-938-6829

SCORE is an outfit that
offers counsel to America’s small businesses. They offer Free
one-on-one counseling; business advise; management and technical
assistance. There are 16 chapters in NC. Check them out at
www.score.org

There might not exactly be
free money out there for the taking but there is always grants. This
is completely set aside from the SBA, but none the less
available.www.grants.gov

You can also visit
www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html for information on business grants.

As with most situations if
you are seeking money for any reason your credit is the determining
factor. You can get a free credit report through the Federal Trade
Commission at www.ftc.gov

The National Women’s
Business Council is located in Washington, DC this is a outstanding
website full of good stuff. Check it out www.nwbc.gov

Interested in starting your
own businesses here in Wilmington?  Check out www.wilmingtonwahm.com
this gives you a good starting point for finding a home business that
works for you!