In Salt Lake City, we have a full staff dedicated to helping your business succeed. You might recognize two such talented individuals – Local Business and Entrepreneurship Manager Roberta Reichgelt and Project Coordinator Will Wright from a site visit, phone call or email update. They work hard every day researching all resources available to support our local entrepreneurs.  Here they have compiled 16 go to resources for women-owned businesses in 2021:  

In Utah we recognize the contributions of women-owned businesses, a major force to our growing and diverse economy. For those looking to start your own business in SLC, we have put together a list of go-to resources for our female entrepreneurs.

  1. New this year is Salt Lake City’s 2021 Entrepreneurship Prospectus that gives you essential data, resources, inspiring startup stories, and insight to succeed.  Find available office space and real estate, connect with funding and venture partners, unlock workforce programs and incentives, gain insight into our leading industries, and much more!
  2. Women’s Business Center of Utah helps Utah women build confidence, create opportunities, and experience success in business ownership. They offer free one-on-one business advising, free group trainings, and 24/7 access to webinars to help you grow as a business owner.
  3. Salt Lake City Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – The Utah SBDC network, including the Salt Lake City Chapter at Salt Lake City Community College, is the only statewide, nationally-accredited program that provides high-quality one-on-one consulting, training, and information resources to empower new and existing businesses — including resources specifically for women-owned businesses. The SBDC partners with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development, and universities and colleges across the state to provide budding entrepreneurs and small business owners the tools they need to thrive.
  4. WeRoc is a women-focused entrepreneurship program that helps women gain access to capital, provides them with startup business education, networking opportunities to venture capitalists, and one-on-one mentorship.
  5. Women Tech Council – Women-Led Startup Program works to connect women founders and leaders with venture capital, mentors, board members and community to support their growth, fundraising and success.
  6. Utah Women’s Networking Group and its annual Utah Women’s Entrepreneurial Conference grant and pitch competition. The group aspires to be the ultimate women’s networking model for business owners, professionals, and women looking to build valuable relationships. Services connect members with the people, resources, encouragement and inspiration to be the most successful woman they can dream to be.
  7. Utah Microloan Fund Banking on Women series – an entrepreneurship course for female small business owners to help start or grow your business.
  8. If you have ever considered contracting with government agencies, ChallengeHER is a national initiative to boost government contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses with a special focus on the Women-owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program. Work with our local PTAC Symposium to find opportunities. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) at the Salt Lake City airport is committed to increasing the opportunities to involve disadvantaged, minority and women-owned firms in all airport business prospects. All airport contracts and concession agreements incorporate policies, procedures and clauses regarding specific DBE requirements. SLCDA contracting opportunities include construction, architectural and design engineering, retail shops, restaurants, management consulting and procurement services.
  9. SCORE for Women Entrepreneurs  – along with resources and tools created especially for women entrepreneurs, SCORE offers free and confidential business advice. SCORE mentors, many of them successful women small business owners, are ready to help you achieve your business goals.
  10. The Suazo Business Center is a business resource committed to the development and empowerment of the Latino/Hispanic and other underserved communities. The team not only focuses on the business but also on the business owner, providing wrap-around support services to address potential barriers to success.
  11. Small Business Administration (SBA) – The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers numerous resources for women-owned businesses, from programs geared toward supporting disadvantaged businesses to local assistance offered at partnering women’s business centers in Utah.
  12. Salt Lake City’s Economic Development Loan Fund – We believe gender gap funding is a key ingredient to growing a strong and inclusive economy that is built to last. The fund’s purpose is to stimulate business development and expansion, create employment opportunities, encourage private investment, promote economic development, and enhance neighborhood vitality and commercial enterprise in Salt Lake City by making loans available to businesses. The program’s overarching goal is to invest in viable businesses that produce strong economic returns and also provide positive social and environmental impacts.
  13. Originally developed by Beta Boom, #NewPatternUT is a movement that seeks to promote and celebrate founders from various backgrounds in order to change the narrative that diverse founders can and do create successful companies. This movement also aims to advance the fact that companies that seek to serve the needs of a greater variety of people are tremendous opportunities for economic growth and investment.
  14. Womenpreneurs Utah designs their events and programs to provide the tools, tactics and know-how to accelerate your business, alongside enlightened leadership development to strengthen from the inside out. Workshops and programs cover everything from the nitty gritty of fundraising to the power of tapping into your feminine leadership potential.
  15. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women offers a free-to-access online business education program. Goldman Sachs also launched One Million Black Women, a $10 billion investing initiative focused on narrowing opportunity gaps for Black women.
  16. The Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development website streamlines city processes together for businesses to access on their own terms. Business owners can start and register a business, apply for licenses and permits, pay fees, and more.

Whether it’s becoming certified as a small diverse business, applying for funding, finding business mentors, or contracting with government agencies, Salt Lake City can help its women-owned businesses build a bright future for themselves and their families, ensure their neighborhoods are vibrant places to live and work, and contribute to our thriving economy. Starting a business and need more help? Reach out to us at ed@slcgov.com.