P.O. Box 9602
Virginia Beach, VA 23450-9602
WWW.NAWBOSEVA.ORG
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The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association founded to offer training and education for women business owners. Membership is open to sole proprietors, partners and corporate principals with day-to-day management responsibilities in all types of businesses.
Founded in 1975, the National Association of Women Business Owners is a national organization with over 87 chapters and 9,000 members. The NAWBO Southeastern Virginia Chapter was formed in 1991.
NAWBO MISSION STATEMENT
As an organization with a "customer first" philosophy, we:
- 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 makers.
The National Association of Women Business Owners propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social, and political spheres of power worldwide.
NAWBO DIVERSITY STATEMENT
In principle and in practice the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) values and seeks a diverse and inclusive membership. NAWBO shall seek full participation in the organization by all women business owners regardless of race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability. NAWBO's goal is to fully represent the diverse make-up of the women-business-owner community through increased representation within ethnic and minority communities and to expand access to leadership opportunities.
FACTS ABOUT WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS
The Center for Womens’ Business Research presents the most up-to-date information currently available on privately held women-owned businesses in Virginia. These facts present the centers’ estimates for privatley held firms owned 51% or more by a woman or women and provides the most complete picure of womens’ business ownership currently available.
- As of 2004, there are an estimated 159,002 majority-owned,
privately held women-owned firms in the U.S.,
employing 242,709 people and generate $26 billion
in sales.
- Between 1997 and 2004, the Center estimates
that the number of women-owned firms increased
by 20% in Virginia, employment increased by
40% and sales increased by 51%.
- Between 1997 and 2004, privately-held 50% or
more women-owned firms diversified into all
industries with the fastest growth in construction
(30%growth), transportation, communications and
public utilities (28% growth ), and agricultural
serves (24% growth).
- The number of women-owned firms with
employees has expanded by an estimated 28% between
1997 and 2004, three times the growth rate of
all firms with employees.
- A new generation of women has emerged. Women
who have started their businesses within the
past 10 years have more managerial experience,
education, and have the same overall business
revenue and employment profiles as women who
have been in business 20 years or more. They
are similar to their male peers in these respects,
and are also more growth-oriented than women
who have been in business longer.
- Women and men business owners have different
management styles. Women are less hierarchical,
may take more time when making decisions, seek
more information, and are more likely to draw
upon input from others, including fellow business
owners, employees and subject-matter experts.
- Internationally, women entrepreneurs’ key business concerns are a blend of day-to-day business management issues, maintaining profits, finding good employees, managing cash flow; and external factors, the economy, government business laws, access to technology, and access to capital.
- In research conducted internationally during the past two years, women business owners voice similar needs for their businessIn research conducted internationally during the past two years, women business owners voice similar needs for their business’ development –
PURPOSE OF THE NAWBO CORPORATE SPONSOR PROGRAM
The NAWBO-Southeastern Virginia Corporate Sponsorship Program was created to establish new strong alliances between the business community, NAWBO as a group, and our members as individual business owners. The businesses which are created and sustained bring new ideas and products to the marketplace, increase employment, improve the local and national economies and make it possible for a woman to both support herself and others.
By supporting NAWBO-Southeastern Virginia through this program, Corporate Sponsors will help NAWBO accomplish its objectives of:
- Fostering the entrepreneurial spirit in women through education and training
- Impacting public policy through active participation in the political process
- Expanding business development opportunities
- Maintaining an organizational presence in Virginia
- Creating and nurturing leadership skills to move women business owners into positions of influence
- Honoring women who distinguish themselves in business and supporting the needs of emerging women business owners
- Forming private sector sponsorships and coalitions to achieve mutual goals
NAWBO CORPORATE SPONSOR GENERAL BENEFITS
By becoming a NAWBO-Southeastern Virginia Chapter (NAWBO) Corporate Sponsor, an organization will receive the following general benefits, in addition to the specific benefits described at each level:
- Visibility within the fastest growing sector of the Hampton Roads business community—women-owned businesses
- NAWBO is the only national organization where companies can target exclusively women business owners
- NAWBO women are in the forefront of their communities and active in other organizations
- Recognition as a business that promotes and supports the entrepreneurial spirit of the women of Virginia
- Ready access to potential women customers and vendors in Hampton Roads, the Commonwealth, and the U.S.
- Women buy due to relationships.
- NAWBO members are loyal consumers who actively and visibly patronize those companies, which support NAWBO.
- NAWBO is composed of a widely diverse range of types and sizes of women-owned companies. NAWBO can help fulfill your diversity initiatives in procurement.
To become a Corporate Sponsor please contact Sue Cunningham at suespeak@cox.net