In this post, we’re sharing some incredible organizations you may or may not have heard of, which can help you fund, grow, or start your small business.

On the National Level: Small Business Administration

SBA is a government-funded organization that connects small business owners with lenders, grant opportunities, and government funding. According to its website, the SBA was “Created in 1953… to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American Dream.”

What is the Small Business Administration?

On sba.gov, you can find tons of opportunities, resource articles, and funding programs to help you start or fund your small business. The SBA was particularly valuable for business owners during the pandemic because it offered a range of grants and funding to help business owners pay their employees, receive grants, and survive the difficulties of the pandemic. Start with their website to see what options are available to you.

Hawaii Small Business Organizations

There are tons of Hawaii-based small business organizations as well. The Hawaii Small Business Development Center is state-wide, meaning you can find opportunities to connect with this organization on each island. Whether you’re just starting to think about turning your creative passion into a business, or you’re well on your way, the Hawaii SBDC offers many services, workshops, seminars, and training to help you thrive and succeed. Head to their services page to learn more: Hawaii SBDC Services.

Get Your Products Selling on Sites for Small Business Owners

If you’re a product-based business, be sure to check out Shop Small Hawaii, an initiative from Central Pacific Bank and a program of the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership. Membership is free, and you’ll get access to a range of workshops, events, and services once you register. Check out their site and see if it could be helpful for you and your creative career! Visit Shop Small Hawaii.

For local business owners with product-based businesses, House of Mana Up offers to feature and sell your products for you! Investing in your own e-commerce website right out the gate can be daunting, so check out these two sites to start selling without having to design your own website first!

Resources for Women-Owned Businesses

There are many great national and local resources for female-owned businesses specifically. On the federal level, there’s the National Association of Women Business Owners, a dues-based organization for women business owners. There’s also the American Business Women’s Association. Another rad organization is IFundWomen, which operates a bit like GoFundMe, specifically for women business owners. You can take their free e-course to understand the Crowdfunding process and then learn about starting your own crowdfund to fund your unique project idea.

Hawaii-Specific Programs

Looking for something a bit more local? Hawaii offers female-business owners tons of resources to connect with other business owners and grow. The Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership is a great place to start if you’re looking for support and resources to start or grow your business. If you’re interested in networking, the Business Networking Institute (BNI) is open to men and women who want to connect with fellow business owners. There are tons of networks across the islands, so check them out and see whether joining might fit your goals by doing a search on their site: BNI Hawaii Chapter Search.

For women-only networking, check out the Oak + Pine Society, where you can meet and connect with a variety of female entrepreneurs in Hawaii. There’s also the Professional Women’s Network.

Support and Opportunities for Small and Local Businesses

This is a brief overview of some of the many resources out there for you as you’re exploring how to grow your creative passion into a business. Have you participated in any of the above groups or networks? Did we miss one that you think should absolutely be included in this list? Let us know in the comments!