Resources For South Asian Women-Owned Businesses

When it comes to starting new business and commanding revenue, Asian American women are dominating on every level. Per the 2018 American Express State of Women-Owned Businesses report, more than 1 million Asian American women-owned firms today are generating close to $203 million in revenue. Take a minute to soak that in. As if that weren’t enough, over the last decade, businesses in this community have grown by 76 percent, providing employment opportunity for countless women! At SELF MADE, we want you to know the sky’s the limit and you’re never alone. There is a large community of South Asian women waiting to help you. We’ve outlined a few networking, training and funding for South Asian women leads for you to get started.

When starting a business you may feel like you’re in an uphill battle all on your own. Never fear, there are so many other women just like you and groups full of advice and help at your fingertips.

Funding for South Asian Women

Funding for minorities and women-owned businesses can be difficult to find, but we’ve compiled a couple of funding for South Asian women resources below that can help you start the search for funding. For more leads on funding, please visit the “ALL WOMEN” section.

Accion

Provides small business loans and support for underrepresented small business owners, including minority women. http://accion.org/

Aspen Capital Fund

This funding for South Asian women opportunity offers not only money, but also options on how to grow your business in all ways properly and financially stable. Specializes in minority-owned businesses.  http://aspencapitalfund.com/

Minority Business Development Agency

This site is one stop shopping for training, grants, and loans for all minorities, including South Asian women. http://www.mbda.gov/

Resources For Training

Training and development are integral to building a successful business but many entrepreneurs remain unaware of the number of free and low cost training programs available. Below, you’ll find a number of organizations that offer training programs that cater to the specific needs of women in the South Asian community.  

Ascend Pan-Asian Leaders

A membership based organization that offers training and development programs for business professionals in the Asian American community. This organization offers great opportunities for networking with over 600,000 members throughout the United States and Canada.  http://www.ascendleadership.org/

Asian American Youth Leadership Empowerment and Development (AAYLED)

This nonprofit organization provides training, mentoring, skill and leadership development programs for Asian American youth in the D.C. metro area. http://www.aalead.org/

Asian American Business Development Center

Based in New York City, this organization offers management training, technical assistance, and international trade opportunities. http://aabdc.com/

Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) Fellowship Program

The CAAM Fellowship Program develops the talent and skills of Asian American media professionals and freelancers. http://caamedia.org/for-mediamakers/fellowship/

U.S. Pan-Asian Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) The oldest organization devoted to training Asian Americans to close the gap between businesses and Asian countries, they offer a yearly coaching program to help small businesses. https://uspaacc.com/programs/education

Women in Power Program

Hosted through the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment, this program connects women leaders with established, high-profile women leaders in business and other fields. http://bit.ly/1Wx6sxd

Resources For Networking

Below you’ll find a number of networking groups for South Asian women that offer support, business development and a number of other valuable resources that will help you in your entrepreneurial endeavors.

Asian American Architects/Engineers Association

This network empowers professional architects and engineers through business development, professional growth, networking and leadership in the Asian American community. http://aaaesc.org/

Asian American Artists Foundation (A3 Foundation)

A nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the opportunities of Asian Americans in the media. Their A3 Fellows Program offers emerging artists opportunities to build their skills and portfolios, mentoring from seasoned artists,  and $10,000 – $20,000 in funding. http://www.a3-foundation.org/

Asian American Arts Alliance

This nonprofit supports individual artists and arts focused organizations by providing free resources, collaboration, peer-learning and professional development. http://aaartsalliance.org/

Asian American Business Women’s Association (AABWA)

The AABWA empowers  Asian American women in business through a series of training programs, resources, marketing services and other opportunities. http://www.asianamericanbuswomen.org/

Asian American Civic Association (AACA)

This organization supports Asian (and other) immigrants with limited English and/or low-incomes by providing education, occupational training, and social services to help them gain economic independence. http://aaca-boston.org/

Asian American Government Executives Network (AAGEN)

This AAGEN network supports and promotes Asian American and Pacific Island participation in government leadership positions. http://www.aagen.org/

Asian American Journalist Association (AAJA)

The AAJA offers training, education and professional development programs for Asian Americans in journalism. http://www.aaja.org/

Asian American Justice Center (AAJC)

The mission if the AAJC is to promote the civil and human rights for Asian Americans. http://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/

Asian American Multi-technology Organization

This organization promotes Asian American opportunity in Silicon Valley, hosting regular high profile events nationally and abroad. http://www.aamasv.com/

Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association, Inc. (AAPINA)

This national organization unites Asian American nurses throughout the world by offering a network of  support, research, education and skills development. http://aapina.org/

Asian American Professional Association (AAPA)

The AAPA is a three-year leadership development and mentoring program open to U.S. professionals regardless of race in junior, mid or advanced career positions.  AAPA mentors are executives and educators dedicated to the professional success of the program’s mentees. http://aapamentoring.com/

Asian American Women’s Alliance (AAWA)

This support group for Asian American women promotes professional and personal growth. http://www.aawalliance.com/

Asian American Women Artists Association (AAWAA)

This association works to raise awareness and provide opportunities, workshops and other valuable resources  for Asian American women in the arts. http://aawaa.net/

Asian American Writers Workshop (AAWW)

This national nonprofit has established itself as the leading organization dedicated to the creation, development, publication, and visibility of Asian American creative writers in the United States. http://aaww.org/

Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC)

The mission of the APACC is to build business relationships between U.S. and Asian companies and to create economic wealth for the Asian Pacific American community. http://www.apacc.net/

Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)

This nonpartisan nonprofit committed to the inclusion and advancement of Asian Pacific Americans in all levels of the political process. They offer programs to develop leaders, build public policy knowledge and assist Asian Pacific Americans in gaining public office at local, state and federal levels. http://apaics.org/

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)

This organization unites Asian American and Pacific Island employees in the United States to promote employee, immigrant and civil rights for the Asian Pacific community. Backed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), they offer over 20 chapters/ throughout the United States. http://www.apalanet.org/

Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (APIACE)

The APIACE advocates on behalf of Asian American businesses to ensure economic growth and opportunities for the Asian American community.  http://nationalace.org/

Asian Pacific Islander Community Leadership Program

This organization is dedicated to the training and development of Asian Pacific American leaders with a focus on social justice, community and public service. https://aclfnorthwest.org/

Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program

Focused on helping South Asians in the Los Angeles community overcome struggles to being successful entrepreneurs, this community helps connect new entrepreneurs with more mainstream business. http://www.apisbp.org/

Asian Professional Exchange

With 10,000 members nationwide, this network hosts both cultural events and professional seminars. http://apex.org/

Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL)

CAPAL encourages more Asian American and Pacific Island leadership and development in public service.  The conference also educates the community on issues affecting the Asian American/Pacific Islander community. http://www.capal.org/

Goldsea

Featuring at least 100 success stories of diverse women in the Asian community, this site is sure to inspire. http://goldsea.com/Profiles/100/100.html

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

A premier network of Asian Pacific American law students, professors, attorneys and judges. This membership based organizations boasts over 50,000 members which makes it a great resource for networking. http://www.napaba.org/

National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum

Helping to create a future for all South Asian women, they focus on educating women in all fields. https://napawf.org

National Association of Asian MBAs (AscendNAAMBA)

A network for Asian American MBA students and Senior Executives, the NAAMBA offers a national conference and career expo for members.  http://bit.ly/24R6z8E

National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP)

A national network that supports and empowers Asian and Pacific Island Americans through professional development, community service and networking. Programs includes ‘Women in NAAP!’ which focuses on developing leadership skills among Asian & Pacific Island women in America. http://www.naaap.org/

Network of South Asian Professionals (NETSAP DC)

This D.C. based networking group founded through meetup.org focuses on economic growth, cultural awareness, community empowerment, education, information sharing and support for South Asians residing in D.C. and surrounding areas. http://bit.ly/1Xw1Nv4

South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT)

A coalition of South Asian organizations that promote wellness, empowerment, political awareness, etc.South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that elevates the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations to build a more just and inclusive society in the United States. http://saalt.org/

South Asian Network

Based in Southern California, SAN is focused on fighting social injustices and providing support. http://southasiannetwork.org/

South Asian Women’s Network (SAWN)

A network of South Asian women’s organizations that offers a ‘Skills, Livelihood, and Entrepreneurship Development’ program. Also offers a number of conferences and networks for collaboration and support. http://www.swaninterface.net/

The Asian American Advertising Federation

The mission of the Asian American Advertising Federation is to advance the footprint of the Asian American community in marketing and advertising industries, while also raising awareness for the importance of Asian American contributions in this field. http://www.3af.org/

The Red Shoe Movement

After finding success with her book and social-media-based “red shoe” movement to support professional women, Argentinian-American Mariela Dabbah decided to start hosting immigrant-friendly events for all women, where participants choose the subjects and find network within, and outside of, their community. http://redshoemovement.com/

Upwardly Global

Connects skilled immigrants with professional career opportunities. https://www.upwardlyglobal.org/

Women in Power Program

Hosted through the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment, this program connects women leaders with established, high-profile women leaders in business and other fields. http://bit.ly/1Wx6sxd