In Focus: Some resources for women entrepreneurship such as initiatives, schemes and grants
#WomenEntrepreneurs #SouthCarolinaBusiness #EmpowerHerSC #InnovationInTheSouth #PalmettoStateGrowth
South Carolina, affectionately called “The Palmetto State,” is famous for its breathtaking beaches, exciting festivals & a culture steeped in Southern charm. But beyond its scenic allure, the state is carving out a distinct name as a haven for entrepreneurs – especially women. With one of the nation’s most business-friendly climates, including no state property tax, no inventory tax, and no local income tax – South Carolina is a fertile ground for innovation & enterprise.
South Carolina’s Women Entrepreneurs: Leading the Way in Innovation and Growth
And, the numbers tell a compelling story. Nearly 40% of South Carolina businesses are owned by women – a figure growing at an impressive rate. From bustling tourism hubs like Charleston and Myrtle Beach to manufacturing powerhouses in the Upstate – women are breaking barriers and redefining industries. Then again, programs like the Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) and the “SC Launch” initiative are further fueling this entrepreneurial spirit – offering mentorship, funding & resources to empower women to lead and succeed.
Empowered to Thrive: How South Carolina Supports Women Entrepreneurs
Whether it’s launching cutting-edge tech startups, crafting artisanal goods, or driving sustainable agribusiness – South Carolina’s women entrepreneurs are leaving their mark, proving that the future of business in the Palmetto State is as dynamic as its coastline.
Now let us focus on some resources for women entrepreneurs like initiatives, schemes and grants in South Carilina
South Carolina Government Agencies
South Carolina Secretary of State – Business Division
The business division of the Secretary of State’s Office assists business owners organize & register their business. Additional resources include – South Carolina Business One Stop, South Carolina Department of Commerce, South Carolina Division of Small and Minority Business Contracting and Certification, U.S. Small Business Administration & South Carolina Small Business Development Centers.
> Charleston Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Office
Charleston’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Office (M&WBE) works to increase participation of minority and women-owned business enterprises, in full array of contracting opportunities available in the City of Charleston.
The M&WBE office assists potential entrepreneurs and existing small business owners through a number of ways like:
Business growth and expansion
Resources related to business start-ups
Minority and Women Business Enterprise (M&WBE) certification to enhance contracting opportunities
Access to financial opportunities
Guidance and counseling on management skills and operational effectiveness
Local skills-based training opportunities
> South Carolina Small Business Administration (SBA)
The South Carolina SBA is supported by the main district office in Columbia, plus additional locations in Charleston and Spartanburg. They provide services including – funding programs, counseling, federal contracting, certifications & disaster recovery. They can also connect you to partner organizations, lenders & other community groups that help small businesses succeed.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/south-carolina-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
South Carolina Agencies & Non-profit Organizations
> Women’s Business Center of South Carolina (WBC) at Columbia College Center for Entrepreneurship
The Women’s Business Center provides education and resources – including programs that take entrepreneurs from concept and product development to financing, marketing, market introduction & more.
WBC programs incorporate both local and digital work, that draws in a community of diverse women. If you are just starting out or have been in business for decades, they can offer new tools that meet your specific needs.
> South Carolina Small Business Development Centers – SC SBDC
Seventeen South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) across the state offer confidential, individual business consulting, at no cost. Highly-trained consultants assist both existing & startup companies.
Consultants provide a variety of services – including advisement on business plans, fiscal and operations management, financing options, marketing strategies, human resources, and much more. Centers conduct affordable education workshops & also provide referrals to useful business resources.
Specialized services include government contracting, exporting, technology commercialization, veterans business assistance & minority outreach.
> SCORE South Carolina
SCORE is a non-profit organization that delivers most of its offerings at no cost. The offerings are:
Free Mentoring: Entrepreneurs can access free, confidential business mentoring in person or remotely via email, phone and video. SCORE mentors are experts in entrepreneurship and related fields who meet with their small business clients on an ongoing basis to provide continued advice and support.
Webinars and Courses on Demand: SCORE regularly offers free online events on topics ranging from startup strategies to marketing and finance; and attendees can watch webinars live or view recordings online on their own time.
Library of Online Resources: Business owners can also benefit from SCORE’s extensive collection of guides, templates, checklists, blogs, videos, infographics and more.
Local Webinars & Workshops: Many local SCORE chapters hold free or low-cost in-person or online workshops and roundtable discussions covering various topics.
> The Harbor Entrepreneur Center
The Harbor Entrepreneur Center strongly believes that – entrepreneurship is the number one way to grow the economy. Through programs and events – every Founder of a business is connected with Mentors that have done it, Experts with the skills, Investors with capital & a peer group of other supportive Founders.
Founded and operated by entrepreneurs who have lived the journey, The Harbor leverages this experience to support entrepreneurs at any stage.
JRS Coding School: JRS Coding School invites you to turn your creative thinking into productive coding.
Harbor Accelerator: This hands-on mentoring by the founders of some of the region’s most successful companies helps young companies build a strong customer acquisition platform as a basic building block for growth.
Forum: You can bring any issue to Forum, whether it’s a worker’s comp issue, a new marketing opportunity, or a difficult client.
Shared Workspace: The Harbor Entrepreneur Center fosters the entrepreneurial mindset with a collaborative atmosphere – that is simple and welcoming to join.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/south-carolina-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
Funding – State and Federal Sources
> U.S. Small Business Administration – Funding Resources
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps small businesses get the funding they need. The funding resources include:
Loans: Start or expand your business with loans guaranteed by the SBA.
Investment capital: Find an investor for your business. Investors make both debt and equity investments.
Disaster assistance: Get help after a disaster with low-interest disaster loans.
Surety bonds: Protect your work and your client with an SBA-guaranteed surety bond.
Grants: Look for government grants that help businesses do scientific research and development.
> South Carolina Department of Commerce – Capital Funding Resources
The South Carolina Department of Commerce provides statewide capital funding opportunities including – grants, incentives, investments, and loans to help new and existing South Carolina businesses thrive.
> Grants.gov
Grants.gov provides a unified electronic storefront for interactions between grant applicants and the Federal agencies that manage grant funds. Notably, there are twenty-six Federal grant-making agencies and more than 900 individual grant programs that award more than $400 billion in grants each year. The grantor community includes state, local, and tribal governments; academia and research institutions; and not-for-profit organizations.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/south-carolina-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-business
> The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is a non-profit organization, which advocates for small and independent businesses at the state and federal levels. The NFIB South Carolina chapter provides resources and support – to entrepreneurs and business owners in the state. Some of the benefits of membership include – access to business research and advocacy, health care reform guidance, and state and federal government relations updates. Additionally, the NFIB offers networking opportunities, tax and regulatory guidance, and access to insurance programs – specifically designed for small business owners.
https://nfib.com/south-carolina/
66 Women Grants for South Carolina
These include Grants for women entrepreneurs, seed money to individual women, college grants for women, small business grants for women, enterprise grants and grants for minority women.
https://southcarolina.grantwatch.com/cat/39/women-grants.html/2
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
