News Release: New Women's Advisory Board created read release

Updated April 8, 2008
Salt Lake Chamber Supports Women Entrepreneurs
Where do women go when they want to start their own business or network with their peers? The Women’s Business Center at the Salt Lake Chamber. The Women’s Business Center was founded in 1997 to meet women’s entrepreneurial needs. And the need is great. 

There are about 83,448 women-owned firms in Utah. They generate more than $14 billion in sales each year and employ over 109,000 people. "Women entrepreneurs are active in the business marketplace throughout the state and we at the Salt Lake Chamber are committed to opening up the availability of resources and opportunities to help our women business owners and leaders become successful,” said Natalie Gochnour, Chamber COO.

Success seldom stands alone. The same is true for the Women’s Business Center. The Salt Lake Chamber runs the center and gets support through a partnership with Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). The college’s own Women’s Business Institute can supplement the Chamber's Women's Business Center's training, mentoring, and counseling. The Chamber’s Women’s Business Center and SLCC’s Women’s Business Institute work hand-in-hand to help women entrepreneurs be successful, elevate the stature of women business leaders in our community, recognize outstanding women, and expand the relevance of women in decision-making at the Chamber.

One of the Women’s Business Center's goals is to facilitate the entry of new women business owners into mainstream business and Chamber activities. The Chamber's partnership with SLCC provides what is needed from business plans to financing. An entrepreneur will also find help with marketing, management, finance, technology, and government contracting.

With the close partnership with Salt Lake Community College, and with experienced leadership and staff at the Chamber, the future for women’s business programs is looking bright.

Summary of Women's Business Center Programs and Services

• Mentoring, One-on-One Counseling and Training
  
• In some instances, the Chamber's Women's Business Center may refer clients to The Women’s Business Institute at SLCC to provide additional free one-on-one counseling, training and mentoring at three locations: Miller Campus, SLCC Downtown, and Logan. 
  
• Women and Business Conference – The Women’s Business Center at the Salt Lake Chamber manages this annual conference sponsored by American Express. The Athena Award, sponsored by Wells Fargo Women’s Financial Services, is presented at this conference.
  
• Business Women’s Forum – The Women’s Business Center hosts this monthly networking luncheon to build business contacts.
  
• Women of the Board – The Chamber has exceptional women represented on its Board of Governors. 
  
• Community involvement - The Chamber recognizes outstanding contributions to our local business community through its various award programs. 

Contact Information:
Questions about women’s programs, including mentoring, counseling, and training, may be directed to Lavanya Mahate, (801) 328-5066 or lmahate@saltlakechamber.org.

The Women's Business Center is a public/private partnership between the Salt Lake Chamber and the Small Business Administration.