October is National Women’s Small Business Month

NATIONAL WOMEN’S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH

Celebrating the Women Who Build Business – and Community

An October message from the Maryland Capital Enterprises Women’s Business Center

Every October, National Women’s Small Business Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate the women whose ideas, determination and leadership strengthen our economy and enrich our communities. From neighborhood shops and professional services to manufacturers, technology firms and home-based enterprises, women entrepreneurs are creating jobs, solving problems and opening doors for those who will follow.

Their impact is substantial. The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2025 that women owned 14 million U.S. businesses, generating $2.5 trillion in receipts. The U.S. Small Business Administration has also pointed to women as major drivers of the recent growth in new business applications. Those numbers tell an encouraging national story, but the influence of women-owned businesses is felt most clearly close to home – in the services they provide, the people they employ and the local causes they support.

Progress built on persistence

Today’s women business owners stand on ground that earlier generations had to fight to secure. A landmark change came with the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988, commonly known as H.R. 5050. The law helped eliminate state practices that could require a male relative’s signature on a woman’s business loan, strengthened the collection of data about women-owned firms and established the foundation for the national network of Women’s Business Centers.

That history is a reminder that entrepreneurship is never only about an individual business. When barriers are removed and good ideas receive the right support, the benefits spread outward – to families, employees, customers and entire communities. Progress deserves to be celebrated, but it also deserves to be continued.

Turning recognition into opportunity

Celebration is meaningful when it leads to action. Consumers can make a difference by seeking out women-owned businesses, recommending them to friends, leaving thoughtful online reviews and sharing their work on social media. Established business leaders can offer mentorship, referrals and introductions. Organizations can examine their purchasing practices and intentionally include qualified women-owned firms when seeking vendors and professional services.

For women who own a business – or are considering starting one – October is also a good time to take stock. Is your business plan current? Do your cash-flow projections reflect today’s costs? Are you ready to pursue financing, expand your marketing or explore government contracting? A focused conversation with an experienced adviser can turn a vague goal into a practical next step.

Support for the next step

The Maryland Capital Enterprises Women’s Business Center is here to help women entrepreneurs move forward with greater clarity and confidence. Through training, business counseling and connections to resources, the Center supports entrepreneurs as they plan, launch, manage and grow their businesses. The SBA notes that Women’s Business Centers nationwide provide free to low-cost counseling and training, with particular attention to the challenges women may face in accessing capital, contracts and business networks.

Women interested in federal contracting may also want to explore the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program. The federal government has a goal of awarding at least 5 percent of federal prime contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses, and certification can make eligible firms able to compete for designated set-aside opportunities.

National Women’s Small Business Month honors how far women entrepreneurs have come. More importantly, it invites us to help build what comes next. Whether you are shaping a first idea, navigating a difficult season or preparing for growth, you do not have to do it alone. Connect with the MCE Women’s Business Center and take the next step toward a stronger, more sustainable business.

Learn more: marylandcapital.org

Sources