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October is National Women's Small Business Month, which means it's time to celebrate women-owned companies nationwide, as well as the remarkable accomplishments achieved by female entrepreneurs over the years. Here are some unique methods to recognize and assist female entrepreneurs.

How to Commemorate Women's Small Business Month

1. Offer to volunteer or become a mentor.

If you're a successful female entrepreneur, think about giving back by volunteering with groups that help women in business or becoming a mentor. Nonprofit groups, like the well-known Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, are excellent places to begin, but you may also start at work or by joining an online community. Of course, Score Mentors is an excellent place to volunteer as well.

Adding your voice to that of other company owners may not sound revolutionary, but representation is important, even if it is online. The more prominent female company owners there are, the more likely it is that young women will start their own businesses. Whether you're a CEO with hundreds of reports or a small-business owner working part-time from home, your voice matters.

2. Share interesting facts about businesswomen.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, the number of women-owned small enterprises in the United States has increased dramatically. Before the epidemic, 28% of new business owners were female in 2019. According to Gusto, two years later, that number has risen to 49% by 2021. This increase in the number of women-owned small companies represents an upward trend, encouraging more underrepresented groups to start their own firms.

Most stories on women in business (particularly in STEM disciplines) are nearly entirely about inequity and harassment, rather than achievement, advancement, opportunity, or resiliency. Consider posting some good statistics about women in business on social media in honor of National Women's Small Business Month. After all, the greatest way to encourage young women to start businesses is to share their success stories.

Share your own female entrepreneurial story, particularly in online business groups. Young women must perceive company ownership as a feasible option, which often requires conspicuous role models.

3. Obtain certification as a woman-owned enterprise.

If you're a female entrepreneur looking to compete for government contracts, now is the moment to get certified as a woman-owned firm. The Women-Owned Small Company Federal Contracting Program assists female business owners in competing for federal contracts, and the more firms that compete, the better. You may now establish a profile to determine whether you are eligible for the program. Once certified, you must update your profile status to notify government agencies that you are available for employment.

4. Invest in and give to organizations that assist women in business.

If you don't have time to devote to mentoring or lobbying, you may still help women-owned small companies by investing, contributing, or purchasing them.

There are several organizations that assist poor women in starting their own businesses, such as Kiva, which enables users to microlend directly to female entrepreneurs globally. Consider pursuing the whole venture capital route and investing directly in tiny women-run firms if you have access to bigger sums of funding.

Other groups help women attain financial independence, such as Dress for Success, which assists women in need with interview clothes and confidently navigating the corporate world. Another fantastic organization is Nontraditional Employment for Women, which assists women in entering trade occupations that pay well and do not need a degree, yet women are severely underrepresented. The Center for Women & Enterprise assists women in the United States in starting their own enterprises by offering essential advice, access, and resources.

Of course, before contributing to any of these or any other charity, be sure to check them out on Charity Navigator to see how efficient and transparent they are. Consider establishing a fundraising campaign on Facebook for an organization that promotes women in the workplace if you want to create additional awareness during National Women's Small Business Month.

5. Make business connections with other women.

Even if you aren't a small company owner, this month is a terrific opportunity to network with women in your industry and make valuable relationships. Professional meetings and established local business organizations may assist women in a variety of sectors in finding like-minded colleagues.

Larger organizations, such as the National Association of Women Business Owners, the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, the National Association for Female Executives, the American Business Women's Association, and the National Women's Business Council, host events and help connect women with similar business interests. You should also contact your local section of the US Chamber of Commerce, even though it is not a female-specific organization, since it is the country's biggest small business lobbying group. Attending a few local events may introduce you to other female entrepreneurs.

6. Make promotional materials for National Women's Small Business Month.

Other small companies may promote National Women's Small Business Month by running promotions. Create a campaign in which a portion of the revenue will go to groups that support women-owned small businesses. Create an intriguing offer for clients, as well as a promotional internet landing page. Promote the deal on your website and social media pages.

When developing an internet marketing campaign for women-owned companies, make it clear to your followers what they will be contributing to and urge them to share the promotion with their own followers.

7. Look into resources for female-led businesses.

Starting a small company from the ground up might be difficult, particularly if you don't have a degree or business expertise. There are, however, a number of organizations and agencies that may give education, training, and resources to female small business entrepreneurs.

The Association of Women's Business Centers is a non-profit organization that offers mentorship and training to women who operate small businesses in the United States. The group has collaborated with the United States Small Business Administration, which operates over 100 Women's Business Centers around the nation. This group is a wonderful resource for women who wish to expand their business expertise. It also allows ambitious entrepreneurs to make new contacts and network with other like-minded people.

Several more NGOs, institutions, and organizations around the nation provide additional assistance to female entrepreneurs. The National Association of Women Business Owners and the National Women's Business Council are two examples. If you are a female small company owner, do your own study and use the different tools available to you.

8. Use social media to support female businesses.

Whether you operate a small company or not, encouraging female entrepreneurs on social media is a simple and effective way to show your support during National Women's Small Business Month. Show your support for women-owned small businesses by sharing their content with your audience. Share one of their Instagram photos, produce a TikTok video on how awesome you believe their business is, or forward their account to your closest friends. Select your preferred platform and get creative.