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A SUPPORTIVE NETWORK

Our Services
STRATEGICALLY GROW BUSINESSES

OUR SERVICES

The Maryland Women’s Business Center supports pre-venture, start-up, and existing businesses. We scale business growth with specialized seminars and workshops, one-on-one and group business counseling, and access to resources. Explore our services below to take your business to the next level. Then, contact us at (301) 315-8091 to discuss your needs with a qualified Business Consultant.

Our office is open Monday-Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm (except holidays) with additional evening hours 5:00pm to 7:00pm the first Monday of every month (except holidays). MWBC services are available to U.S. citizens and legal residents.

Workshops and seminars

We offer a variety of educational events featuring expert advice that help strategically grow businesses - from start-up to expansion.

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Business counseling

No matter the stage, our highly experienced counselors stand ready to personally help you navigate through the business process.

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Resources

It takes a supportive network and useful resources to build a business. Before you start a new project, check our trusted list.

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ECONOMIC IMPACT

Women now create businesses at more than twice the rate of men. Unfortunately, the path to starting and sustaining a successful enterprise that leads to a stable and substantial income for the owner is rocky and fraught with obstacles. As a result, too many businesses start without an adequate plan, fail to make the transition to CEO, or stay too small and end up operating below the margins of success or fail prematurely. We help entrepreneurs think strategically from the beginning about building a business that allows them to succeed over the long-term.

We encourage entrepreneurs to take the steps that will lead to their success by helping them to figure out:

How to hire their first employee;
Obtain microloans and financing that will help them grow;
Look for suitable and manageable office space beyond their homes;
Build a network and connections to reduce their isolation; and
Develop a business plan that will result in their growth, stability and independence.

Through training, individual counseling, facilitated peer group support, specialized resources, and access to capital, we help more than 1,500 business owners per year gain the skills, connections and confidence needed to successfully navigate the challenging path leading to sustainable business ownership as a career.

MWBC SUCCESS STORIES

Hearing another entrepreneur’s journey can inspire you to push forward with your own. Listen to stories from our 2018 MWBC Awardees who represent promising businesses in a variety of fields.

Teri Olivier won MWBC’s 2018 StartRight! Business Plan Competition. Her company, Celebrate Work from Home, LLC will support the growing number of remote workers seeking a connection with similarly working peers.

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2018 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Mercedita Roxas-Murray talks about her company, Montage Marketing, and the pivotal role MWBC played in helping her to get started and grow.

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Makeba Clay, founder, and president of Innovative Global Solutions Consulting, LLC talks about how MWBC helped her shape her business idea and offered ongoing support as she moved forward.

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Mina Izadjoo, Ph.D., president and chief science officer at Integrated Pharma Services and Integrated MicroSciences talks about how MWBC’s guidance helped her take the plunge into business ownership and the goal of her science work.

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Renee Y. Watson, president and CEO of PROARC, Inc, one of MWBC’s 2018 Woman Business Owner of the Year talks about her experience as an entrepreneur and how MWBC contributed to her start.

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Testimonials

TESTIMONIALS

Charlisa Watson is the owner of CRW and Associates, LLC, a full-service healthcare management consulting firm specializing in designing and implementing customized professional support and staffing solutions to meet the needs of government, nonprofit and corporate clients. To become 8(a) certified, Charlisa was referred to MWBC by the SBA DC district office. Its MBE, 8(a) and SDVOSB status has helped to win a lucrative contract with the state of Maryland, and the U.S. Department of Education. Charlisa states, “MWBC is what she needed to pursue a 8(a) certification.”

Charlisa Watson, 2016

CRW & Associates, LLC

TESTIMONIALS

Pamela Rachal has always served as a mentor and a coach throughout her career to colleagues and friends, so becoming a Leadership Coach was a natural progression. Her primary PMR Coaching and Consulting clients are emerging, seasoned, and high-potential leaders “Initially, I took a few classes ast MWBC, which provided me with valuable information. The classes are a great way to meet other women entrepreneurs. Pamela shares with other female entrepreneurs, if you haven’t looked into MWBC, you should; they can provide you with a number of resources.

Pamela Rachal, 2020

PMR Coaching and Consulting

TESTIMONIALS

Delphines Beauty Parlour, located in Bowie, MD, specializes in hair extensions and custom-made wigs. Delphine Njuguna is the owner and operator. Delphine states “MWBC trained her in starting a successful business; provided information on how to market her business; counseled her one-on-one and assisted with obtaining legal advice.”

Dephine Njuguna, 2019

Delphines Beauty Parlour

TESTIMONIALS

Dottie Li started TransPacific Communications, LLC because she has a mission to help non-native English speakers break down cultural and communication barriers to advance their careers and realize their full potential. Dottie says, “I met with a MWBC counselor when I was applying for the SBA 8(a) program. They also helped me with the MBE certification. MWBC is the place for any woman thinking of starting a business. You’ll be blessed to have their guidance.”

Dotti Li, 2020

TransPacific Communications, LLC

TESTIMONIALS

Leslie Frelow, Managing Director of Vino 301 Wine Concierge, became an entrepreneur because she wanted to earn a living doing something she liked. She realized that she liked wine, educating people about Maryland wines, and supporting local businesses. As a result, she launched Vino 301 Wine Concierge. Coming to MWBC was the encouragement she needed to propel forward in pursuing financing for the vehicle.

Leslie Frelow, 2016

Vino 301 Wine Concierge

TESTIMONIALS

While in the process of researching options for working capital with Prince George’s Financial Services Corporation, for Trinity Empowerment, Keshia was referred to MWBC Senior Business Counselor, Angie Duncanson, for assistance with the MBE application. Keshia stated, “MWBC is a champion for Women Business Owners. I have witnessed the passion for ensuring women are realistically equipped with information and resources to establish and grow their businesses.”

Keshia Dempsey, 2017

Trinity Empowerment

TESTIMONIALS

MWBC’s business plan and pitch competition event helped develop my business tremendously. It allowed me to see the strengths of my business, Alodia Hair Care but more importantly, the weaknesses. MWBC is a wonderful resource for women entrepreneurs. It provides mentorship and opportunities that all businesses need to thrive and be successful.”

Dr.Isfahan Chambers-Harris, 2018

Alodia Hair Care

TESTIMONIALS

Micah says that the MWBC helped her make better sense of everything. She met with them after registering NannyTainment in her name. MWBC helped her step-by-step. She says, “MWBC knows what they’re doing. Even if you think your question is stupid, ask it. They’ll give you a completely new perspective!”

Micha Barber Smith, 2018

NannyTainment

TESTIMONIALS

“Material was clearly laid out and explained. The instructor was highly knowledgeable and gave practical, real-world examples to make it easier to understand, especially to the broad range of attendees.”

Robin Menge

How to Write a Successful Business Plan Workshop attendee

TESTIMONIALS

"The training was interesting and informative. I look forward to attending future trainings, but this presentation will be a frequent go -to document for some time."

Diana Quaynor

ABCs of Starting a Business workshop participant

SEE ALL

Header

Main

Slider

Our Services
STRATEGICALLY GROW BUSINESSES

Services

OUR SERVICES

Workshops and seminars

Business counseling

Resources

ECONOMIC IMPACT

MWBC SUCCESS STORIES

Testimonials

Charlisa Watson, 2016

CRW & Associates, LLC

Pamela Rachal, 2020

PMR Coaching and Consulting

Dephine Njuguna, 2019

Delphines Beauty Parlour

Dotti Li, 2020

TransPacific Communications, LLC

Leslie Frelow, 2016

Vino 301 Wine Concierge

Keshia Dempsey, 2017

Trinity Empowerment

Dr.Isfahan Chambers-Harris, 2018

Alodia Hair Care

Micha Barber Smith, 2018

NannyTainment

Robin Menge

How to Write a Successful Business Plan Workshop attendee

Diana Quaynor

ABCs of Starting a Business workshop participant

Montgomery County

Prince George’s County

Header

Main

Slider

Our ServicesSTRATEGICALLY GROW BUSINESSES

OUR SERVICES

Workshops and seminars

Business counseling

Resources

ECONOMIC IMPACT

MWBC SUCCESS STORIES

Testimonials

Charlisa Watson, 2016

CRW & Associates, LLC

Pamela Rachal, 2020

PMR Coaching and Consulting

Dephine Njuguna, 2019

Delphines Beauty Parlour

Dotti Li, 2020

TransPacific Communications, LLC

Leslie Frelow, 2016

Vino 301 Wine Concierge

Keshia Dempsey, 2017

Trinity Empowerment

Dr.Isfahan Chambers-Harris, 2018

Alodia Hair Care

Micha Barber Smith, 2018

NannyTainment

Robin Menge

How to Write a Successful Business Plan Workshop attendee

Diana Quaynor

ABCs of Starting a Business workshop participant

Our Services
STRATEGICALLY GROW BUSINESSES