Looking for a place to gain business support through opportunities, benefits, and grants? Read this article to find the business resources and tools you need, including funding, contracting, and networking opportunities to support the expansion of your business. There are programs in Oklahoma City to help women start successful ventures and grow existing enterprises. Happy reading.
Oklahoma Women’s Business Center
The mission of the Oklahoma Women’s Business Center is to connect, educate, and inspire women business owners in the City of Oklahoma. There are workshops for training women on various business topics, including planning, management, and financing. There are also networking events, which are designed to connect women with other female entrepreneurs, business experts, and consultants to gain a better experience of the marketplace. Visit https://reiwbc.org//upcoming to see over 150 workshops in Oklahoma that you can attend to. The WBC also provides business counseling and technical support on marketing techniques, accounting, and bookkeeping. Visit https://reiwbc.org/ for more details.
Support for Women-Owned Businesses in Oklahoma City – Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (OKSBDC)
Looking for business support to help in the expansion of your enterprise? The OKSBDC can be the perfect resource center to receive the assistance your business needs. It doesn’t matter if you are just starting a venture or have already reached a certain stage of business development. The OKSBDC is there for all female entrepreneurs to guide and show you the right direction for running your enterprise. OKSBDC is committed to supporting the goals of women-owned businesses throughout the City of Oklahoma. Need help with financing, business licensing, or help with tax-related issues? Whatever is troubling your business, the OKSBDC will be happy to help you reach your potential. Are you a sole proprietor or in partnership with other business persons? Trying to form a corporation? Understanding the specifics of the form of your business is important. You can be assured that everything you need to know is waiting for you at OKSBDC. Besides the OKSBDC answers some of the common questions regarding starting a new business venture, from developing a business plan, financing, and management to website development and the most effective marketing techniques. Find out more at https://www.oksbdc.org/women-owned-business/.
Women-Owned Business Certification
Who certifies women-owned enterprises in Oklahoma? The Oklahoma Department of Commerce provides business certification for women-owned enterprises throughout the state. The program is ideal for women, especially those that have constantly faced barriers to business growth and participating freely in the marketplace. In some companies, business certifications ensure diversity in the process of issuing government contracts or selecting vendors or suppliers of certain goods. Which benefits will you get after receiving women-owned business certification from the Department of Commerce? Well, you get more opportunities for government contracting and improve your business visibility. Business certification is proof that you are the owner of the enterprise. How long does your certification last before it expires? Please note that business certifications are valid for five years. After which, you are required to seek recertification for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. For more information, please visit https://www.oksbdc.org/women-owned-business/.
Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI)
REI is committed to supporting women-owned businesses throughout Oklahoma. The goal is to help create a conducive environment to spur the entrepreneurial and economic growth of the greater Oklahoma. REI has offices spread across the state and they partner with lenders to provide funding opportunities for women business owners who need extra financing for expansion or relocation. By focusing on relationship building and outreach activities, REI helps small businesses reach their potential and thrive. Read more at http://www.reiok.org/.
Oklahoma City Office, Staff Directory – Small Business Administration
Through the Oklahoma City Office, the U.S. Small Business Administration works closely with women-owned small businesses to provide loans, contracting opportunities, and business counseling to female entrepreneurs to enable them to thrive. The SBA also provides other forms of business support services including referrals and networking opportunities to women to help them achieve success. Read more at https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/ok/oklahoma-city.
Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund
This is an investment fund program that allows women-owned small businesses that promotes innovation to have access to capital to run their enterprises. Please note that the fund program focuses on businesses that guarantee growth or that show some elements of expansion in terms of revenue, job creation, and increased investment capital. For more details, please visit http://i2e.org/access-to-capital/.
Technology Business Finance Program (TBFP)
The Technology Business Finance Program is designed to support women-owned businesses in the high-tech industry and needs evaluating the marketability of new technology. The program support is available for both startups and already established business ventures. For more details, please visit https://www.ok.gov/ocast/Programs/Technology_Business_Finance_Program_(TBFP)/.
Workforce Development in the Greater Oklahoma City
The greatest asset of Greater Oklahoma City is its workforce, which is there to meet all your business needs. The city records over 670,000 available and productive workers. These workers are always ready to work in your business without paying union dues or fees, Right-To-Work law was passed in 2001. With increased training and education opportunities, the City is committed to helping workers overcome the challenges they go through every day for a better tomorrow. The City has some of the most sophisticated training programs to train new qualified women-owned businesses. There is at least a technology center in Oklahoma City to help in training new developing businesses in the region. For more details, please visit https://www.greateroklahomacity.com/subdoingbusiness/workforce-development/.
Small Business Assistance – Greater Oklahoma City Chamber
Starting and running a successful business venture can be challenging, especially when you don’t get access to adequate resources to help maximize your potential. Now, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, through its Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Team can help you achieve your goals. together, the team works to connect women-owned businesses with the tools and resources they need to succeed in their various industries. Visit https://www.greateroklahomacity.com/main/connect-with-us/ to get started. The team also provides you with the incentives you need to keep your business moving. The biggest priority of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber is helping to facilitate more profitable operations for women-owned businesses. For this reason, the chamber, in partnership with its BRE team is happy to help you solve your business problems. For more details, please visit https://www.greateroklahomacity.com/subdoingbusiness/incentives/.