5 Meaningful Ways to Support Women-Owned Businesses

More Than a Purchase: Your Role in Building an Inclusive Economy

Over the past two posts, we've honored the history of women entrepreneurs, from the 1988 Women's Business Ownership Act that opened doors for women in business to the modern challenges they still face today. We've been celebrating their progress while acknowledging the road ahead. 

Next comes the most important part: ACTION.

How can we, as consumers, colleagues, and corporate leaders, actively support women-owned businesses? How can we continue supporting them throughout the year, not only during National Women's Small Business Month?

At EventBuilder, a proudly 100% women-owned and women-led company, this isn't a seasonal campaign: it's a daily practice. We believe in lifting others as we climb. Here are five real-world ways you can join us in championing women in business and building an inclusive economy for everyone. 

5 Ways to Support Women's Businesses

Championing women in business is about more than buying a product; it's about making conscious choices that help build a fairer, stronger economy. When we shop women-owned and uplift female entrepreneurs, we help create jobs, strengthen local economies, and model inclusion for future generations. 

1. Vote With Your Wallet

The simplest way to make a difference? Spend intentionally. Every purchase is a statement of values, and when you choose to buy from women-owned businesses, you're investing in equality and innovation. 

How to Find Women-Owned Businesses to Support

Use trusted directories:

• WBENC Women Owned Directory
• The We Are Women Owned Business Directory
• Women-Owned Business Directory
• Your local Chamber of Commerce  or city's small business network

Look for the Women-Owned Logo:

Certified businesses often display the Women Owned logo in store or online; keep an eye out for it!

Explore Locally:

Visit neighborhood markets, fairs, and pop-ups. You'll find women-led shops, farms, and creators that add diversity and heart to your community.

Corporate Support Matters Too

Corporate procurement decisions have huge influence. At EventBuilder, we make a point of sourcing from other women-owned and diverse-led suppliers. Encouraging corporate support for women-owned businesses helps shift entire supply chains toward greater equity and innovation.

2. Amplify Their Voices: Become a Digital Champion

A kind word online can go a long way. For small businesses, digital visibility is everything! It's also quite often hard-won. 

Here's how you can champion women in business online:

• Leave Thoughtful Reviews - Share detailed praise on Google, Yelp, or industry sites. Highlight the product or service that stood out.
• Share on Social Media - Post photos, tag the business, and use hashtags like #ShopWomenOwned, #SupportWomenInBusiness #WomensSmallBusinessMonth
• Engage With Their Content - Every like, comment, and share boosts visibility in social algorithms.

Pro Tip: Your personal recommendation can drive more traffic than an ad. Word-of-Mouth is still one of the most powerful marketing tools for small businesses.

3. Share Your Expertise: The Gift of Mentorship

For many women founders, access to mentorship is the missing link between potential and success. Sharing what you know, where it's marketing, finance, or operations, can change the trajectory of someone's business. 

To mentor a female entrepreneur, start by connecting with:

• The SBAs SCORE Mentorship Program
• Association of Women's Business Centers
• Industry-specific professional associations

You don't need to be a CEO to make an impact. Sometimes, a single conversation about pricing, branding, or scaling is enough to unlock opportunity.

And if you're new to business, seek mentors intentionally. Ask questions. Build relationships. The wisdom exchanged in these partnerships is often what accelerates success.

4. Advocate for Systemic Change

Supporting individual businesses matters, but so does tackling the bigger picture. Economic empowerment for women requires systemic shifts in policy, access, and workplace change.

Ways to Advocate for an Inclusive Economy for Women

• Support nonprofits and funds that invest in female founders.
• Encourage your employer to improve supplier diversity and equity policies.
• Use your vote and voice to back legislation promoting equal pay, capital access, and affordable childcare.

Why it's important to support female entrepreneurs:

Because when women have equal access to funding an opportunity, economies grow. According to McKinsey, advancing gender equality could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025.

We all benefit when the economy works for everyone.

5. Build Community and Foster Connection

Finally, make connections that matter. If you know two women entrepreneurs who could help each other, introduce them! You can also attend local business events, host a women-in-business meetup, and create online communities for women entrepreneurs. Collaboration sparks creativity and resilience.

At EventBuilder, some of our strongest partnerships began this way: simple introductions that grew into long-term collaboration.

Keep the Movement Going

Being an ally isn't a one-time action: it's a mindset! Every decision, every purchase, and every introduction helps shape a more inclusive economy. 

Thank you for joining us in celebrating National Women's Small Business Month. Let's keep this momentum alive all year long! When we support women-owned businesses, we invest in a future built on innovation, equity, and community.

Support Women-Owned Businesses Like Ours

We would love to work with you! We offer best-in-class virtual event services and program support. Grow your virtual and hybrid events with us. Let's talk! Schedule a discovery chat today and learn how we can scale your virtual events and help you reach your goals. 

Disclaimer: This article was created with some help from AI, but thoroughly edited, reviewed, and fact-checked by a living, breathing, coffee-drinking human writer.