Help for Women-, Minority-, and Veteran-Owned Businesses

Rep. Crist Visits a Local Veteran-Owned Small Business.

Some women, minority, and veteran business owners can face unique challenges when forming and running their own small business. Here are some places you can go to for help:

• Minority owned business help from the Small Business Administration: The SBA offers a business development program to help minority small business owners with services such as additional counseling and training.
• Minority Business Development Agency: Part of the Department of Commerce, the goal of this agency is to help minority business owners compete and succeed in our economy.
• Florida Certified Business Enterprise Vendor Directory: Lists only state certified woman-, veteran- or minority-owned business enterprises to be used by state agencies, state universities, regional and local government entities, and private businesses to diversify vendor dollars.
• Veterans Business Outreach Center of Florida: An initiative by the SBA, the Florida Veterans Business Outreach Center helps eligible veterans who own or want to open a small business. They offer training, counseling, referrals, and mentoring services.