There are many local organizations that provide free counseling for women and minority-owned small businesses. Some provide premium services on a membership-only basis, but they can range from creating a business plan to participating in international trade missions.

Information and assistance available for acquiring government loans and grants are free of charge, and worth checking out.

The African American Chamber of Commerce of San Joaquin County offers members many services and benefits, such as business and marketing plan development, IT training, and business expansion planning.

The American Business Women's Association offers educational resources, leadership training, and networking opportunities for women business owners.

The Asian Women in Business website has a free Business Reference Library, a searchable Directory of Business Owners, and a Directory of Organizations. Members receive discounts to networking opportunities and educational seminars.

The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce's goal is to represent the over 600,000 Hispanic-owned businesses in California. Its directory of local Hispanic Chambers of Commerce is extensive.

The Resources section of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles website offers information and tools for trading with Hong Kong and China. Be sure to check out their Trade Utility Hub and Cyber Marketplace sections.

The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) of Santa Clara County offers small business assistance through loan applications, business planning, and participation in trade missions, conferences, and exhibits.

MinorityBank.com has resources for women and minority-owned businesses including investment advice, links to women and minority-owned banks, thrifts, brokerage firms, money management firms, and venture capital firms serving minority markets.

The Minority Business Development Agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce has a Small Business section. Resources include how to market your business, a guide to loan products, and preparing a business plan .

The Alameda County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce offers members assistance with corporate/government/community concerns and problems, access to their membership and customer database, minority business referrals, networking events, and opportunities to participate in leadership, educational and youth development programs.

The Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce website has a free monthly newsletter, and offers workshops and seminars, start-up assistance, marketing and business plans, business loan assistance, and information on local, regional, and national Hispanic Markets.

The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce's section for small businesses offers many publications for start-up companies. It also provides free counseling on general business development and operations.

The National Association of Women Business Owners - California Chapter website offers their members information and resources for strategic alliances, financial growth, leadership, development, and public policy.

The National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) offer members educational seminars, and information about resources, preferred vendors, potential business alliances, sources for capital, and networking opportunities.

The National Black Chamber of Commerce website has many free features, including a news "Hotsheet," newsletter, and information on a wide range of issues, such as taxation and the Kyoto Treaty.

The Professional Businesswomen of California offers its members career development seminars, networking opportunities, and a mentoring program for young women..

The Silicon Valley/Santa Clara County Black Chamber of Commerce has resources for companies and individuals in the technology industry. It offers networking opportunities, seminars, and workshops, and an Incubator Program for new businesses.

The USDA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Businesses offers contract opportunities, loan and grant programs, and export assistance to small businesses in the agricultural industry.

Womenbiz.gov is a federally sponsored resource for women-owned businesses bidding on government contracts.

The Women's Enterprise Development Corporation is a private, non-profit, community supported organization providing business training and business assistance in Mandarin, Spanish, and English. Programs and activities include entrepreneurial training at the startup, mid-size and rapid-growth levels; meetings and consultations; procurement and contracting assistance, direct micro-lending assistance and assistance in procuring SBA loans; and entrepreneurship service for youths.

Women's Initiative for Self Employment is a private, non-profit organization that provides business training and technical assistance in English and Spanish to low-income women in the San Francisco Bay Area. It also offers business support services, including one-to-one consultations, peer networking, support groups and special seminars.

SBA RESOURCES FOR WOMEN AND MINORITIES

Small Business Administration Website (SBA) En Español

8(a) Business Development Program

Office of Native American Affairs

Online Women's Business Center

Small Disadvantaged Business Program

Office of Women's Business Ownership

Calendar of Events

Locate An SBA Office in California

Small Business Classroom