Women’s Business Center
Women’s Business Center (WBC) of Northern Virginia is part of a national network of over 100 educational centers throughout the United States which are designed to empower women to achieve small business success and share that success with others.
The Women’s Business Center is a subsidiary of Community Business Partnership, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization working in collaboration with a number of local, regional and national organizations to promote small business growth in Fairfax County and beyond. Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and follows George Mason University closures/holidays.
See class schedule with various training times including evening hours. Also, we work to offer on-demand webinars to provide immediate content!
We serve potential and existing small business owners including women, veterans, and minorities primarily located in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Business Training & Counseling
Thanks to the continued financial support by the US Small Business Administration, the Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia assists hundreds of small and emerging businesses annually.
If you are thinking of starting a business or have a business that has been operating less than two years, sign up for free one-on-one business planning counseling session with a WBC expert Counselor.
Our Impact
We empower our clients by providing access to resources in order to fulfill their dreams, to provide for their financial security as well as that of their families, and to contribute to the economic growth of their communities.
In 2020, CBP’s 13 member staff and two dozen volunteers created 145 business training events with 2,141 attendees. Over 700 individuals received more than 1,400 hours of one-on-one business counseling; a 37% increase from the previous year.
CBP administered Fairfax County’s RISE program that provided over $52MM in small grants to over 4,800 small businesses. CBP also developed Fairfax County’s microloan program that has provided over $1.6MM to businesses affected by the COVID downturn.
WBC Leadership
The WBC is led by Cindy Butler. Prior to joining CBP, Cindy was the Director of the Washington Women’s Business Center in Seattle, WA. In this capacity, she trained thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs and counseled over 600 clients, assisting many in opening businesses ranging from art to a French bakery to scooter rentals. She has served as Executive Director of two nonprofit organizations, and co-founded one of these organizations to work with women business owners in villages in Ghana and Kenya.
Women's Activities
First Fridays!
Network, learn, and most of all, have fun! A program of the Women’s Business Center at Community Business Partnership, First Fridays are a great time to education yourself on the latest business trends and learn from solid experts. Network, learn, and most of all, have fun! A program of the Women’s Business Center at Community Business Partnership, First Fridays are a great time to education yourself on the latest business trends and learn from solid experts.Network, learn, and most of all, have fun! A program of the Women’s Business Center at Community Business Partnership, First Fridays are a great time to education yourself on the latest business trends and learn from solid experts.
Start Up Resources
Women’s Business Center Staff
Cindy Butler, Director (bio)
(703) 768-1440 x 107
cindy@cbponline.org
Kathryn Walker, Assistant Director (bio)
(703) 768-1440 x 105
kathryn@cbponline.org
Sheina Waddell, Training Coordinator (bio)
(703) 768-1440 x 103
sheina@cbponline.org
US Small Business Administration Resources
The Small Business Administration has incredible information to empower and educate small business owners every step of the way.
Check out:
- SBA’s Business Guide
- SBA’s Learning Platform including “Ascent,” a free learning platform for women entrepreneurs!
- SBA’s Washington Metropolitan Area District Office and join their newsletter!
No Cost Counseling for Women Business Owners
Thanks to the continued financial support by the US Small Business Administration, the Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia assists hundreds of small and emerging businesses annually and there is no cost for our counseling services.
We help aspiring women business owners understand:
- SBA Disaster Loan preparation
- business planning for the future
- marketing
- financial forecasting
- bookkeeping and accounting
- registration and certifications
- contracts and intellectual property, and
- government contracting
If you are thinking of starting a business or have a business that has been operating less than two years, sign up for free one-on-one business planning counseling session with a WBC expert Counselor.
Women’s Business Center Sponsors
The Women’s Business Center at Community Business Partnership is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. It receives additional support from the Fairfax County Office for Children and the Supervisors of Fairfax County.
Women’s Business Center Supporters
The Women’s Business Center at Community Business Partnership is proud to have the support of invaluable and effective allies that help us meet our mission.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if request at least two weeks in advance. For assistance, please call us at (703) 768-1440 or by email at cindy@cbponline.org
The Community Business Partnership is an equal opportunity service provider, lender, and employer.
