No matter how much education you have or how great your ideas are, succeeding in the business world can all depend on who you know. Your personal and professional relationships could even be the difference between success and failure. Your connections can help you secure a job, find an investor, and get your ideas and products off the ground and into the public’s hands.
This is especially true for women, who already face gender inequality in the business world as it is. Fortunately, VentureLab is here to help. We’ve compiled an exhaustive list of networking resources for women entrepreneurs. Use them to your advantage, and make connections with people who can help guide you in your own career.
- Ladies Who Launch – Designed just for women who are running or hoping to run their own business, Ladies Who Launch offers a huge array of workshops, tools and resources. They also have local groups and chapters in various cities throughout the country, including Atlanta, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and more. These groups host events and workshops throughout the year. Many chapters also host online networking events in which members can discuss issues, ask questions and meet other entrepreneurs in their industry.
- CRAVE – Founded by a female entrepreneur, CRAVE connects women business owners across the country. The group regularly hosts online chat sessions in more than 20 cities across the country, allowing women entrepreneurs to interact, ask questions and make connections that improve their careers.
- Young Female Entrepreneurs – When it comes to resources for women entrepreneurs, this is one of the best, especially for those just starting out. YFE is aimed specifically at entrepreneurs in their 20s and 30s. It offers solutions to help these women build and expand their businesses and achieve long-term, sustained success. The group even hosts a weekly online networking event and chat called YFELive, during which members can ask questions, interact with successful entrepreneurs and get help with their own businesses. YFE also offers daily action calendars and a book club.
- Women in Technology International – For women in the tech field, WITI is a great way to network and make connections. This organization offers weekly webinars and regularly hosts networking and educational events. There are local chapters in all 50 states, so it’s easy for members to connect with people in their geographic area.
- Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network– This group helps connect female entrepreneurs across the world via the web, giving them the tools they need to share best practices, build business opportunities and learn about successful female entrepreneurs in their respective industries.
- National Association of Women Business Owners – Created for women entrepreneurs by women entrepreneurs, the NAWBO has a chapter in nearly every major city in the country. It offers members a number of resources for women entrepreneurs that can help grow their businesses, as well as numerous networking events and workshops. There are also annual business conferences and leadership summits, as well as an exhaustive NAWBO directory, which allows members to connect with fellow entrepreneurs easily and quickly.
- The Next Women – A business magazine aimed exclusively at businesswomen, this is one of the best networking resources for female entrepreneurs today. Not only does it provide helpful news, guidance and information on female entrepreneurship in general, it also offers a networking forum that connects professionals from across the world. The publication also hosts annual events in Paris, London, Montreal and Amsterdam.
Do you want to have access to more resources for women entrepreneurs? Then enroll in a VentureLab program today. We can connect you (or your child) with a mentor who can offer career guidance, and help you achieve success. Call today to get started.
