Every businesswoman is worried about her success. Without adequate resources, achieving your business dreams can be challenging. In this article, we are intending to show you the business opportunities, benefits, and grants for women in San Diego, California. All the best.
Business Finance Loan Program
Having troubles accessing a loan from traditional banks? The Business Finance Loan Program is there to provide you with additional funds to help your business operations run smoothly. Whether you need extra money for construction, purchasing office equipment, or hiring new staff, this program got you covered. The program offers up to 50% funding for the mentioned activities. The loans are provided at an 8% interest rate, which is lower than other conventional loan programs. Want to apply for the program support? Please visit https://www.sandiego.gov/economic-development/business/financing.
San Diego Business Library
The Business Library is a collection of helpful materials to help empower female entrepreneurs and business owners in the City of San Diego. Wondering what’s in the library? The library comprises articles on business topics, including business planning and development, franchising, marketing, finance and budgeting, and legal advice. Apply at https://sandiego.score.org/content/browse-library-8 to get access to the relevant content you may need to make your business thrive.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification Program
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Certification Program is mainly designed for construction industry work. The program helps improve your business visibility to the City of San Diego Purchasing Department. You just have to complete the certification process. How does this work? if you are interested in the program, you can always apply to participate. You will be listed once your application is approved. You should note that this certification does not guarantee that you will do business with the City of San Diego. It, however, lets you sell your goods and services to the city. Learn more about the program at https://www.sandiego.gov/eoc/dbe.
The San Diego Center for International Trade and Development
The Center for International Trade and Development provides financial support to women business owners in San Diego. Business assistance can be in form of loans, grants, or credit insurance. The goal is to create more business opportunities for women and enable them to thrive in the export market. Want to apply for export financing? Please visit http://www.sandiegocitd.org/international-trade-financing/.
The Economic Development Department – Permit Assistance in San Diego
Why should you apply for permit assistance in San Diego? The Economic Development Department of the City of San Diego will help you through the process of building a business permit if you are thinking of starting a new business or planning to relocate or expand your enterprise. For more details about the requirements and whether your business is eligible for the assistance, please visit https://www.sandiego.gov/economic-development/industry.
MetroConnect
MetroConnect targets women-owned international businesses for assistance. Are you thinking of selling your products abroad? MetroConnect can provide you with the financial and training support you need to help you carry out your expansion plans. That also gives you a chance to learn to form other successful businesses. Furthermore, participating in this program allows you to get involved with Economic Development Department and gives you a chance of launching your business overseas. Visit http://www.sandiegobusiness.org/wtcsd/metroconnect to apply for support.
Women-Owned Small Local Business Enterprises’ Benefits
The City of San Diego understands the need to support local small businesses run by women. For this reason, the city works to provide equal opportunities for all women when it comes to benefits such as bid discounts or preference points for city contracts. To qualify for business assistance, you have to undergo certification, which is usually accessible online. Other services include small business consulting, mentoring, advisory services, and workshops for training and education on important topics. For application, please visit http://www.sdentrepreneurcenter.com/services/services/#.WJqDxhIrJmA.
The Storefront Improvement Program (SIP)
Do you wish to make some creative changes to your storefront? Well, SIP assists with design and reimbursement to women-owned small businesses who want to change the design of the storefronts. Who is eligible for the program assistance? to qualify for this support, your business must have 25 or fewer employees. Also, your storefront must be facing a public street to be considered for storefront improvement support. The program can provide a grant of up to $8,000 and some additional cash renovation. If you are looking to improve the condition of an apartment or a national franchise, you will not qualify for the program support. Visit https://www.sandiego.gov/eoc/programs/slbe to get started.
San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center (DOC)
Want to sell your business services or products to the City of San Diego or the state? DOC provides free counseling and training business services to help women-owned small business sell their products to the city or state of California. Besides, the resource center holds a monthly workshop that trains female entrepreneurs and business owners on how to get started and win government contracts. It also helps women get the resources they need to determine whether contracting is good for the success of your business. Want to apply? Please visit https://www.sandiego.gov/business-resource/www.ptac-sandiego.org,
San Diego and Imperial Women’s Business Center (WBC)
The San Diego and Imperial WBC provide business opportunities to women and ensure economic justice is served in the City of San Diego. As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the WBC ensures all the services to make women’s businesses thrive, including mentoring, financing opportunities, and training are provided. Has your business recently gone through a disaster? The San Diego and Imperial (WBC) provides free guidance to female business owners on how to apply for disaster loans to take care of the destruction caused as a result of a disaster. Visit https://sandiegowbc.org/ for more information.
The WE Center for STAR (Support, Training, and Assistance to Refugee) Women
The WE Center for STAR (Support, Training, and Assistance to Refugee) Women was developed in 2006 to assist female refugees and those with low-incomes in starting their businesses. It provides counseling, training, and referrals to available financial assistance programs to help women in refugee settings to get started. The STAR Center in the City of San Diego has increased the number of low-income female entrepreneurs, ever since it was started in 2006. For more details, please visit https://womenempowerment.org/partners-initiatives/.