Resources for Female Professionals and Entrepreneurs in Maryland

Maryland is home to a vibrant, diverse community of women entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals who are making a significant impact on the business community and state.  

Some interesting facts:  

• According to the most recent U.S. Census, 63.2% of Maryland’s civilian labor force is female.  
• A report from The Institute for Women’s Policy Research from 2018 found that Maryland ranks first as the best state for women based on employment and earnings.  

• The 2021 Maryland Small Business Economic Profile found that a total of 237,668 businesses in Maryland are owned by women, which is 40.6% of all businesses in the state.  

While they make up a significant portion of our state’s business community, women continue to lag behind men in the accessibility of leadership roles throughout the country. Thankfully, many individuals and organizations are working to ensure that women have the opportunities, networks, resources and advocacy needed to achieve their career goals. 

 

3 Organizations offering mentoring, networking & training for women  

If you’re looking for mentorship, networking or training opportunities dedicated to supporting women in business, here are a few helpful resources to explore:  

• The Center for Women in Business (CWB), a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, promotes and empowers women business leaders to achieve their personal and professional goals by increasing opportunities for women to serve on corporate boards and in the C-suite, mentoring women at all stages of their careers and building a network for women entrepreneurs.   
• The National Association of Women Business Owners is an organization that represents the interests of women entrepreneurs across all industries, offering programs, events, advocacy and a variety of resources, including this list of 25 organizations that aim to support women. 
• Mentoring Her is an online platform designed to facilitate connections, communication and mentoring for women while breaking down barriers of access, time, travel, geography, age, race and socio-economic status. You’ll also find training resources and other helpful tools via this platform.
  

Helpful resources for women entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business 

For those thinking about starting a business, Maryland offers helpful infrastructure, a great location, culture, diversity and a highly educated workforce, along with a variety of funding and incentive programs. And, according to a report from NorthOne, Maryland is ranked as the fourth best state for women entrepreneurs.    

Here are some of the many resources that women looking to start or grow a business might find useful:  

• Maryland Women’s Business Center 
  Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) works with entrepreneurs across Maryland’s capital region, encouraging women to start, sustain and grow their businesses. They offer workshops, individual counseling, facilitated peer group support, special resources, access to capital and more.
• Maryland Business Express
  Use the Maryland Business Express to find resources, programs and funding opportunities for small, minority and women-owned businesses, along with information on how to become a certified Minority Business Enterprise.   
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce 
  Looking for resources and programs that provide assistance to women-owned businesses? Explore this helpful list from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 
• Maryland.gov – Information for Maryland Business  
  Find a variety of helpful resources about starting a business in Maryland, along with information about workforce resources, funding, permits and ordinances and more.  
• Maryland Department of Commerce 
  The Maryland Department of Commerce offers a wealth of information for individuals looking to start or grow a business in Maryland. Resources you’ll find include information about financial incentives, available properties and sites, incubator spaces and more. 
• Maryland Small Business Development Center 
  The Maryland Small Business Development Center provides aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners with free, individualized consulting, comprehensive training, access to business advisors and more. You’ll also find information about business research platforms via their website. 

We celebrate women professionals and business owners – they help make Maryland’s businesses and communities stronger and more unique. While we hope these resources are helpful, be sure to explore your local business resource centers, associations and economic development offices for additional advice and information.