News for Women Entrepreneurs

The Center for Women's Business Research is calling for women business owners to participate in a newly developed online survey research panel.

Center Executive Director Sharon Hadary said the new research vehicle, W-Biz Insight, will enable data to be published in days instead of months.

The center also is hosting a national symposium in May in Washington where it will release a study on business owners who are women of color and the barriers they face to business growth.

"We've learned a lot over the last two years about why owning a business is different for women of color - Asian, African American, Latino, and other ethnicities - compared to their Caucasian peers," said Hadary.

In other women's business news, the Rockville Economic Development Inc's 5th annual Start Right women's business competition is underway. The deadline for women entrepreneurs to enter the contest is Monday, Jan. 28. The contest is open to 51 percent women-owned businesses that operate in Maryland, Virginia or Washington for up to two years. The first prize is $10,000 and will be announced in March.

REDI is offering a seminar on Tuesday, Jan. 22 to help new entrepreneurs write their business plans. It will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Rockville Regional Library. More information can be found on the REDI Web site.