CALIFORNIA
American Entrepreneurs Association
2392 Morse Ave.
Irvine, CA 92714
Tel: (800) 482-0973
The American Entrepreneurs Association was established to provide small business owners
with benefits and discounts that are generally reserved for big businesses. Discounts on
products and services to help fund a business more efficiently include express shipping,
health insurance and long distance telephone rates.
American Woman's Economic Development Corporation
Linda Harasin, Exec, Dir.
2301 Campus Drive, Suite 20
Irvine, Ca 92715
Tel: (714) 474-2933
Fax: (714) 373-7416
Orange County has the third largest concentration of women-owned businesses in the nation.
AWED Orange County follows the AWED curriculum, which includes the core program, plus a
two-hour pre-business seminar and a monthly group counseling program.
California Office of Export Development
One World Trade Center, Suite 990
Long Beach, CA 90831
Tel: (562) 590-5965
Fax: (562) 590-5958
Email: expdev@commerce.ca.gov
The California Trade and Commerce Agency's Office of Export Development offers an array of innovative export marketing services specifically designed to help California's small and medium-sized companies sell their way to export success. Their international marketing specialists lead small and medium-sized firms to the world's leading trade shows. The Office slashes participation costs, organizes exclusive California displays and ensures that exhibitors meet with qualified buyers. The Office introduces California companies to visiting delegations of overseas buyers and assists foreign companies seeking California products.
California Office of Small Business
California Trade and Commerce Agency
801 K Street, Suite 1700
Sacramento, CA 96814
Contact: Bob Apodaca
Tel: (916)323-2878 or (800)303-6600
Fax: (916)322-5084
Website: commerce.ca.gov
The Office of Small Business administers several programs for
California entrepreneurs starting and expanding their businesses.
The Small Business Development Center Program offers one-on-one
consulting assistance across the state. The California Loan
Guarantee Program offers loan guarantees to businesses that can't
qualify for bank loans. They are also the state's chief advocate
for small business.
Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation
515 South Flower Street, 32nd floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Tel: (213) 622-4300
Fax: (213) 622-7100
Email: laedc-info@laedc.org
LAEDC's mission is to attract, retain and grow businesses and jobs in the Los Angeles region. LAEDC addresses the needs of the business community through four types of programs and services: relevant economic information and analysis; direct business assistance to attract, retain and expand business; networking and assistance to technology-based businesses to help create net industries; and focused economic development strategies supported by timely results-oriented initiatives for the region.
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 South Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Tel: (213) 580-7500
Fax: (213) 580-7511
Website: www.lachamber.org
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce is Southern California's leading advocacy organization. The chamber's mission is to help strengthen the economy and communities of the greater Los Angeles area.
NAWBO Silicon Valley
P. O. Box 2696
Santa Clara, CA 95055-2696
Cheryl Melnick, Webmaster
Tel: (408) 257-3857
Fax: (408) 257-1786
E-mail: cheryl@sessionware.com
Web site: www.nawbo-sv.org
NAWBO Silicon Valley provides women business owners with a forum for education and exchange of ideas and promotes the growth of women-owned business.
Women Business Owners Corporation
18 Encanto Drive
Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
Kathleen Schwallie, Executive Director
Tel: (310) 530-0582
Fax: (310) 530-1483
The Women Business Owners Corporation provides procurement training and counseling
nationwide to women business owners, particularly those that are socially and economically
disadvantaged. WBOC offers training based on the most up-to-date information developed
with the advice of government procurement specialists. They provide a database to assist
women in learning about contracts.
Woman's Economic Development Corporation
100 West Broadway, Suite 500
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phil Borden, Regional Director
Tel: (310) 983-3747
Fax: (310) 983-3750
Email: wedc1@aol.com
WEDC, previously known as California AWED, began with SBA funding in 1989 to assist the growing number of women business owners in Los Angeles. Their core programs consist of two long-term training modules: Starting your own business for beginning businesses and Managing your own business for women who have been in business at least one year with gross receipts over $50,000. Courses are marketed in six languages: Chinese, English, Japanese, Khmer, Korean and Spanish.
Women Incorporated
333 South Grand Avenue, Suite 2450
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Tel: 800.930.3993 Fax: (213) 680.3475
Website: www.womeninc.org
This national nonprofit organization is dedicated to improving the business environment for women, particularly women entrepreneurs. They provide women with access to innovative products and services for personal and professional needs. They also educate its constituency and the larger business community by creating national conferences and seminars. This organization also provides women with access to credit to help in the growth of their business.
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