The US Government just printed a study in which it has been confirmed that women-owned businesses are underrepresented in 87% of all industry that contract with the US Government.

I don't know if you know this, but the government and agencies that serve the government are required to spend x% of their dollars with businesses that are minority and women-owned. Required.

But the target percentages are being missed every year.

Part of the reason is that women business owners are unaware of the opportunities that exist or the process by which they place themselves in the running.

Have you heard of WBENC? It is a certification process for women owned businesses. You complete a packet of information, pay a fee, a representative will do an on-site visit to ensure you are the business you claim to be and then you are placed on a list from which government agencies can select to meet their requirements.

Another option is Women Biz, a website dedicated to providing information to women who want to learn more about doing business with the government.

Women-owned businesses are on the rise in this country and yet still the work is going to men. Reach out and grab what is available to you.

Have you actively sought work with the government? How did it go? Would you recommend it? How did you do it?

Here is the press release from the US Women's Chamber of Commerce.

Deborah Chaddock Brown
Professional Writer, Woman-Owned Business