FARGO — As International Women’s Day is celebrated globally on March 8, the North Dakota Women’s Business Center (NDWBC) is highlighting the resources available to female entrepreneurs, who often face unique challenges in starting and running their businesses. Christy Dauer, executive director of the NDWBC, emphasized the importance of supporting women in business, saying that when women lead, communities not only grow but transform.

Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs

Founded in the early 2000s, the NDWBC initially focused on helping rural small businesses adopt new technologies. However, after conducting listening sessions across the state in 2022, the organization reorganized to better address the specific needs of female business owners. A recent anonymous survey of 914 women business owners revealed that 74% needed immediate funding, while 63% were unable to secure the funds they needed, even for amounts under $50,000.

Dauer said that barriers to funding include a lack of experience, particularly for immigrant and minority women. She shared an example of an Indigenous woman who had a solid business idea but little experience in running a business. To address these challenges, the NDWBC offers job coaching and guidance on applying for grants and other funding sources.

‘We like to say we’re a thinking partner alongside small businesses,’ Dauer said. ‘We meet entrepreneurs where they’re at, and our programs continue to evolve based on the unmet needs of the state.’

Networking and Community Building

The NDWBC has community hubs in cities such as Grand Forks, Velva, Bismarck/Mandan, Jamestown, and Fargo/Moorhead. Each hub has community champions who organize monthly training and listening sessions called ‘Strong Women, Strong Connections.’ These sessions are tailored to the needs of the local business community.

‘We found that business entrepreneurship is a lonely journey,’ Dauer said. ‘So we look for opportunities to host workshops and training that will connect clients.’

According to Dauer, 99% of NDWBC graduates say they will remain connected to someone they met through the program. ‘That’s how we define success. It’s not so much about the work we’re doing — it’s, ‘Did we help our clients find someone they can call for advice?’

Childcare as a Major Pain Point

Access to childcare was identified as another significant challenge for female entrepreneurs. Dauer explained that many women struggle with the mental load of caring for aging parents and children. To address this, the NDWBC now offers free, virtual childcare training for daycare operators through a grant from Stearns Bank.

The 12-week program covers topics like financial literacy, leadership skills, and strategic planning. Graduates earn certificates, professional development credits, and qualify for grants through Stearns Bank to reinvest in their businesses. To date, the NDWBC has served over 300 clients through its Business of Childcare intensives, workshops, and 1:1 coaching programming.

Aimee Hanson, founder of Grateful Cratefulls, is one of the many women who have benefited from the NDWBC’s programs. She started her business in 2018 after collecting donations for a family member with brain cancer. ‘We were blown away by how kind and generous not just family friends were, but the small businesses around the community,’ she said.

Hanson’s business sells crates filled with over 60 products from the Midwest. She recalled attending her first NDWBC event and realizing that Dauer had purchased one of her first gratitude crates. ‘That really started the connection with her and the Women’s Business Center overall,’ she said.

‘One of the things the Women’s Business Center and Christy do is make connections, and that’s basically what our business is about,’ Hanson said. ‘It’s not about competition. It’s about collaboration. It’s about supporting other small businesses.’

Business owners will have the chance to connect at the NDWBC’s upcoming summit, scheduled for May 5-7 in Medora, N.D. The event will feature keynote speeches, workshops, breakout sessions, and more. Dauer said attendees will also have the opportunity to sit down with NDWBC staff or other business owners to create a 90-day plan based on what they’ve learned.

The summit is a ticketed event, but scholarships are available. For more information, visit www.ndwbc.com.