Enterprising Women of Color Business Center
O'ahu

Participate in free programs & services!

MBDA Business Center funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s
Minority Business Development Agency

The MBDA Enterprising Women of Color Business Center provides diverse and dynamic women entrepreneurs with resources, training, counseling and events aimed at facilitating access to contracts and funding for medium-sized minority businesses.

MISSION

Empowering Women of Color in Business

According to the State of Hawai‘i Data Book 2019, Hawai‘i women-owned businesses generated over $7 billion a year. 47% of women-owned businesses nationally are women of color. Minority women entrepreneurs are cornerstones of economic growth in their communities.

Moreover, according to the 2019 American Express “State of Women-Owned Businesses” report, 6.4 million minority-owned women businesses employed nearly 2.4 million people and generated $422.5 billion in revenue. Women re-invest approximately 90% of their earnings into their families and communities.

“The principle of this initiative closely aligns with our mission at YWCA O‘ahu of eliminating racism and empowering women. As we partner with the Minority Business Development Agency, we can bring rich offerings to our Hawai'i community,” said Noriko Namiki, YWCA O‘ahu CEO.

Business Analysis

We help you figure out how to grow your business.

Counseling & workshops:

SWOT analysis – strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
Business plan guidance

Process improvements/ways to increase your sales, marketing ecommerce, cybersecurity & etc.

Market Access

We help you find corporate and government contracting opportunities.

Workshops:

One-time and multi-week workshops - business certifications to compete for government and major corporate contracts to take advantage of set-aside programs.

Access to Capital

We help you consider ways to get additional funds to expand.

Counseling & workshops:

Understand financial health to prep for loans, understand loan application process.
Understand accounting and bookkeeping systems. Get up to speed to be competitive.
Bonding and insurance needs.

Get Started

To inquire about or participate in our FREE programs and services, including business and financial counseling, please click here to fill out the Intake Form.

Intake Form

Enterprising Women of Color Business Center O'ahu