About NAWBO

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the voice of America's 10.6 million women-owned businesses. Since 1975, NAWBO has helped women evolve their businesses by sharing resources and providing a single voice to shape economic and public policy.

NAWBO is a nonprofit organization of more than 9,000 members that represents women business owners across all industries. NAWBO-San Diego is a chapter of NAWBO, the national organization, and NAWBO-California, the statewide organization. NAWBO-San Diego is one of about 90 chapters in the United States.

• NAWBO offers support, resources and opportunities to propel women entrepreneurs into economic, social, and political spheres of power worldwide. NAWBO has national headquarters in Washington, D.C. and state and city chapters throughout the country.
• NAWBO membership offers women business owners the opportunity to maintain a competitive edge through training, education, networking, peer support and advocacy.
• NAWBO is the only dues-based national organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs in all types of businesses.
• There are chapters of NAWBO in almost every metropolitan area. NAWBO is also represented in 40 countries across the world through its affiliation with Les Femmes Chefs d' Enterprises Mondiales (World Association of Women Entrepreneurs).
• NAWBO has developed groundbreaking data on access to capital, use of technology, and business growth have been cited worldwide. NAWBO is a major player in Washington, participating in the drafting, commenting, and shaping of legislation that affects business owners

Mission

To promote, support and educate women business owners in achieving success

History

NAWBO traces its origins to a small group of Washington, DC business women who began meeting informally in the Spring of 1974 to talk about mutual experiences, exchange information and develop business skills. Recognizing the value of the group, they incorporated as the National Association of Women Business Owners on July 5, 1975. Two years later they began recruiting members from across the country, and in 1978 the first chapters were formed.

Membership

Membership is open to sole proprietors, corporate owners and partners with day-to-day management responsibility. Members join and derive benefits from both the local chapter and the national organization.

Join NAWBO — The essential community for women business owners.

• Did you know that more than half of NAWBO’s members have already done business with another member?
• And that of those members doing business, their average number of business contacts brought in via their NAWBO membership was 10?
• NAWBO’s member directory gives women entrepreneurs a quick and convenient way to find new contacts or keep in touch with old friends.
• NAWBO’s Economic Development Forum offers assistance and support for all stages of growing your business. NAWBO’s Entrepreneurship Trilogy book series provides advice from experts and tips from experienced women business owners.
• NAWBO’s Corporate Partners include Fortune 500 companies that work to help educate members on financial and business practice issues.
• Your NAWBO membership gives you access to informative and engaging publications like NAWBOtime, E-Leader Bulletin, and NAWBO SmartBrief, which provide venues for member recognition, bringing entrepreneurial success stories to a wide audience.
• Members also receive media coverage when regional and national media outlets contact NAWBO seeking women business owners to feature in articles. NAWBO’s annual national awards program brings attention to the highly-dedicated
  awardees.