The Impact and Influence of Women's Business Centers in the United States (June 2005)

Professor Mary Godwyn, PD, Professor Nan Langowitz, DBA, Professor Norean Sharpe, PhD

This research study looked Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) nationwide and found that these community-based programs are drivers of entrepreneurship among a wide range of women entrepreneurs, particularly those formerly underserved --- socially and economically disadvantaged women.

The study shows that the success of Women’s Business Centers can be attributed to shared business practices targeted specifically to women’s needs. Business and consulting specific practices, tailored educational programs, a relationship-oriented approach, and seminars that develop social capital and marketable enterprises are key practices consistently used by Women’s Business Centers nationwide. Women’s Business Centers, created through the federal Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988, provide an effective, longstanding model for entrepreneurship training and business consulting for women. 

Methodology:
This research is based upon survey methods and focus groups. The Center for Women’s Leadership at Babson College conducted the Women’s Business Center Demographic and Impact Survey, developed to understand and assess the impact of Women’s Business Centers throughout the United States. This report is based on the results of that 144-item survey, which was initially piloted with five Women’s Business Centers and then distributed to all prequalified Women’s Business Centers in the summer of 2004. To be considered a Women’s Business Center, organizations had a) to be a 501(c)3 nonprofit; b) to be focused primarily on women clients starting businesses, or have a dedicated staff focused on women clients; and c) to provide short-term and long-term technical assistance, training, and business counseling. Based on these criteria, nearly 100 institutions were identified as Women’s Business Centers through phone and e-mail interviews and more than half of the centers responded (52% response rate) during a three-month period. The respondents represent centers broadly dispersed throughout the United States—all but one of the centers was located in the United States. For the purpose of focusing on Women’s Business Centers in the United States, the international center was not included in these reported results.

Three separate focus groups were conducted in conjunction with national conferences attended by center directors, with a total participation of 34 directors. The focus groups met for approximately one hour; the meetings were tape recorded and transcribed. In addition to participating in discussion, focus group participants were asked to complete a written form identifying themselves and their center. They also had an opportunity to respond to focus group questions on this form. A written analysis was generated for each focus group based upon the transcription. The focus group discussion protocol concentrated on gender-specific needs of women entrepreneurs, the economic impact that Women’s Business Centers are able to make in women’s lives and in the community, whether the training at Women’s Business Centers affects the way women run their businesses, and successful practices at Women Business Centers.

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