Log In
Local Resources for Women in Business
More and more women are fulfilling top leadership roles in business. According to the Pew Research Center, women made up 30.4% of sitting board members for Fortune 500 companies in 2022, 32.8% of university presidents, and an all-time high of 10.6% of Fortune 500 company CEOs. In addition, more women are starting their own businesses. Women made up just 27% of new business owners in 2019 compared to 47% of new business owners in 2022, according to a survey by Gusto.
Check out this list of some of our favorite local resources for women in business to help find mentors, tools, connections, and inspiration right here in Greater Philadelphia.
Women-Focused Business Events and Organizations
Bucks County Business Women's Alliance
The Bucks County Business Women’s Alliance hosts a monthly meeting that provides a networking opportunity, an educational presentation, and action information that attendees can immediately implement into their business practice.
Women’s Business Connection of Chester County
The women’s business connection offers networking events that give women the opportunity to network, socialize, and grow both personally and professionally. Their members are professional women dedicated to building relationships.
Women in Business Delaware County
Women in Business monthly lunchtime networking programs provide Delaware County career women an opportunity for expansion of professional circles during the lunch hour. Women meet and connect with other professional women, entrepreneurs, and business owners over a complimentary luncheon buffet in a different location each month.
Lancaster Chamber Women in Business
Women in Business is designed to equip professional women with the knowledge, strategies, and resources needed to navigate challenges and achieve success in the workplace, as well as to provide opportunities to connect with businesswomen across Lancaster County. They offer a variety of Women in Business programs and events.
The Society of Professional Women - Main Line
Network and build relationships with business leaders in the Main Line community at Society of Professional Women events.
Women Business Owners of Montgomery County
WBO offers webinars, social events, and immediate access to other female business owners to support your entrepreneurial journey.
Montgomery County Association of Business Owners
The Montgomery County Association of Business Women (MCABW) provides a forum for Montgomery County Business Women to develop and enhance professional and personal relationships with their peers.
Women’s Business Enterprise Center - Philadelphia
The Women’s Business Enterprise Center offers entrepreneurial courses, on-demand learning, various resources, and a Women’s Business Entrepreneur certification program that is beneficial to those looking to work with large corporations and government agencies.
National Association of Women Business Owners - Philadelphia Chapter
NAWBO is the country’s largest women’s business organization with chapters across the country. When you become a member, you’ll build relationships with women across business sectors, enjoy quality education on the most important business topics, and top-notch resources to launch, manage, and grow your business.
The Philadelphia Women’s Network Connection
The Philadelphia Women’s Network Connection, LLC is a professional organization based in Montgomery County that provides a platform for women to connect, network, and grow professionally. The organization’s mission is to empower women to achieve their goals and aspirations by offering opportunities for personal and professional development, networking events, and educational workshops.
The Freckled Strawberry
The Freckled Strawberry offers a dedicated team of credentialed experts to offer advice on professional services, technology, lending, tax planning, investors, mergers and acquisitions, career planning, education, team building and more. They can help you advance your financial independence, grow your business, advance your career, and build individual wealth. Subscription and fixed-fee programs available.
SCORE
SCORE’s mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. They host free, live webinars on small business tips and strategies, offer on-demand courses that allow you to learn about various small business topics at your own pace, and provide resources to assist you in finding funding, legal assistance, or getting your business started. They also offer free templates for business plans, marketing plans, financial projections, and more.
Check out their local chapters below:
- SCORE Bucks County
- SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties
- SCORE Lancaster Lebanon
- SCORE Philadelphia
- SCORE Tri-County
Local Chambers of Commerce
Most counties offer a Chamber of Commerce to support business and industry in the community. They serve as a voice for businesses on issues that impact commerce and most host a number of different events each month ranging from educational workshops to business development networking opportunities to community events. They often offer space to host both small meetings and larger events.
You can find more details about each Southeastern Pennsylvania chapter’s offerings at the links below:
- Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce
- Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce
- Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Bucks Mont Chamber of Commerce
- Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry
- Chamber of Commerce for Greater Montgomery County
- Delaware County Chamber of Commerce
- Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
- Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Resources for Women in Business from Citadel
Our financial experts here at Citadel can also provide the guidance and tools to help you build financial strength along the way. Our investment team can create a custom strategy that helps protect your personal finances as well as your business, and our Business Banking team will partner with you to determine the right mix of accounts, loans, and services that's tailored to your business’ current needs and scalable for future growth. Since Citadel is a not-for-profit credit union, we can offer a unique level of service and commitment to help build financially strong businesses that directly influence and care for our communities, families, and overall local economic health.
Learn more about Business Banking from Citadel.
Check it outBuilding Connections & Careers
One way we get involved in the Greater Philadelphia area is by sponsoring and attending the Women's Entrepreneurship Conference at West Chester University. Hear from a few of the speakers and attendees on what drives them to build connections with other women and take steps to achieve their goals. (Keep an eye out for details on future conferences and other resources for women entrepreneurs from WCU!)
