If you, as a woman, own 51% or more of your business or start your own business, this is considered a women-owned business and therefore qualifies you for various small business grants for women. The beauty of choosing this route over the more popular bank loan or looking for willing investors is a simple fact that business grants do not need to be repaid.

This is important considering that the vast majority of small businesses are started by women each year. Not only that, but women are 75% more likely to be successful in their business than men. Because of this, you can know here that more and more resources are available to a woman who starts or owns her own business. Everything from small business grants and loans to free help with business plans and tax strategies is available to any businesswoman.

This, of course, helps alleviate the stress of paying off a loan or a group of investors who have provided you with the money to get your business off the ground. Being able to focus solely on your business without worrying about cash flow is a sure way to ensure your success.

When considering grants for women-owned businesses, four things can speed up and streamline the process.

1. Create a viable business plan – This can be the most important part of any new business. Most grant applications require a business plan so that grantors can make an informed decision about who gets the grant and who doesn’t.
2. Grant Research – There are thousands of public and private grants available to female business owners. Some of them are for specific areas of the business, while others are more general. It is also important to find out what the requirements are for each grant that may interest you.
3. Hire a professional – Finding an accountant or attorney familiar with the grant application and application process can greatly increase your chances of success. They can help with everything from putting together a business plan to double-checking all documents before submitting them to the granting agency.
4. Internet – Many websites help a grant applicant find the grant or grants that she is looking for. They also provide a wealth of information on successful applications for the various grants they track. These sites can be a great resource for a woman trying to start a new business.

Finding small business grants for women is quick and easy online. It will take time and effort to successfully apply for the same grants, but the payoff is worth it when you consider that billions of dollars annually are donated by the government and private organizations.