Propelling women business owners into greater economic, social and political spheres of power, worldwide.

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General Information about NAWBO

National Association of Women Business Owners® (NAWBO®) is the voice of America’s 10.6 million women-owned businesses. Since 1975, NAWBO has helped women evolve their businesses by sharing resources and providing a single voice to shape economic and public policy. National Association of Women Business Owners is the only due-based national organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries.

National Association of Women Business Owners started as an informal meeting of women business owners in the Washington, D.C. area who met to trade information about federal contracts, bank credit, and other business issues. Every few weeks, more women began attending the group and it became clear that there was a great need for a formal organization devoted to helping women business owners, so NAWBO was created.

Today the organization features chapters in almost every metropolitan area in the United States. NAWBO’s strength comes from the diversity of its membership – all sizes from sole proprietorship to hundreds of employees, every business industry from construction, importers, and retailers to service providers, and in all areas of the country.

Membership is open to sole proprietors, partners, and corporate owners with day-to-day management responsibility. Active members who live in a chapter area automatically join both their local chapter and national. There is also an At-Large Chapter for the women business owners outside the chapter areas.

Vision and Mission

Vision

National Association of Women Business Owners propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social, and political spheres of power worldwide.

Mission Statement

NAWBO is an organization which works to:

  • STRENGTHEN the wealth-creating capacity of our members and promote economic development
  • CREATE innovative and effective changes in the business culture
  • BUILD strategic alliances, coalitions, and affiliations
  • TRANSFORM public policy and influence opinion

Benefits of Membership

Members can access a variety of opportunities, products and services that will help their business achieve greater visibility, credibility, and profitability.

NAWBO member benefits include…

  • Opportunity to list in the NAWBO Boise Member Directory
  • Local, regional, and national networking opportunities
  • Corporate and Affinity Partner discounts (see Partners and Resources section of this web site for more details!)
  • A national online membership directory
  • NAWBO SmartBrief, NAWBO National’s newsletter
  • Leadership & business development training
  • Opportunities to participate in media interviews and prepare congressional testimony
  • National advertisement and promotion through RFP’s and speaking opportunities
  • Recognition of achievement through national awards and publicity
  • Special member registration rates to NAWBO-sponsored events
  • Access to the NAWBO Speakers Bureau to promote training and speaking services
  • Public Policy advocacy/presence in Washington DC
  • Access to an international business network through affiliation with the The International Alliance for Women (TIAW).

Business Opportunities

  • Forge connections with women business owners to exchange ideas and opportunities.
  • Gain access to certification and procurement opportunities
  • Network with women representing every industry on a local and national level.

Resources

  • Attend conferences and seminars on the trends, regulations and new technologies that impact your business.
  • Join the Speakers Bureau for opportunities to showcase your enterprise.
  • Participate in an integrated online community of women business owners for special interest groups, vendor or joint venture searches, and help forums.
  • Benefit from advocacy for business issues.
  • Enjoy access to research conducted by the Center for Women’s Business Research
  • Access a network of global business contacts around the world.
  • Use NAWBO’s online membership directory.

Visibility

  • Recognize the achievement of women business owners through national awards and web site articles.
  • Publicize your business success stories.
  • Advertise and promote your business through media and speaking opportunities.